The San Francisco 49ers are in the midst of an overhaul in their system. With the quarterback drama courtesy of Colin Kaepernick, the NFL team has yet to figure out how to rise above the others in the league in the upcoming season. While the return of running back Carlos Hyde is sure to thrill fans of the San Francisco 49ers, the bigger story in the position is the featuring Jarryd Hayne. Fresh off the rugby field last NFL season, the Australian star took his chances in the gridiron in the hopes of becoming a successful football player in the United States. However, it looks like the previous year in the NFL might turn out to be his first and only chance to play for the league.
Rumor has it that the San Francisco 49ers might cut the Hayne Plane permanently this offseason. With the entry of Chip Kelly as the head coach of the team, speculations are rife that the former Philadelphia Eagles mentor will put an end to the Aussie star's football dreams. As basis for this rumor, fans are pointing to the fate of Tim Tebow.
The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, who wowed the crowd during his audition as backup for Sam Bradford last NFL offseason, was eventually released by Kelly. To explain his decision, the then Philadelphia Eagles head coach noted that Tebow lacked the experience to excel in the league. That is, Kelly wanted Tebow to spend more time in the gridiron before endorsing the Christian star. If this is the fate suffered by a former Denver Broncos quarterback and college football star, then what will be waiting for Hayne - an athlete who spent years in another sport?
"I haven't met him (Kelly) yet so I hope he understands me," said Hayne. He added, but that might take a bit of time because not a lot of Americans do!"
The change in coaching staff also forced the San Francisco 49ers stars to learn completely different styles. That is, Hayne will need to once again adjust. With Kelly helming the playbook, the Hayne Plane must be prepared to adapt to the changes and impress the coach to make it to the 53-man roster. Despite the task, Hayne seems optimistic of the future..
"I'm feeling good, excited to get back over there," he shared. Hayne continued to say, "Definitely just getting the playbook downpat, just getting stuck into that. It's obviously a very unique and complex playbook, Chip Kelly's playbook, so just getting head down and working hard on that...When we get back there we've got two and a half months to get the playbook under our belts and to understand and learn it. It's going to be tough, it's not easy and it's a tricky playbook. But it's exciting as well."
What do you think? Can Jarryd Hayne finally make it in the NFL team's 53-man roster? Or will Chip Kelly be the end of his dream in the football field? Will the San Francisco 49ers sign the Australian rugby star to a longer contract this time?
