RWU HQ – To characterize San Francisco 49ers running back’s NFL debut as ‘impressive’ would be an understatement.
Rushing for 63 yards, recording a kickoff return for 33 yards and returning two punts for 24 yard is one heck of a stat-line, to say the least.
“I felt a huge weight lifted,” said the former NRL star, via 49ers.com. “I put a lot of pressure on myself. I wanted to go out there and fit in.
“I didn’t want to go out there and look like a rugby player. I wanted to look like an American NFL player, and I felt I did that.”
Hanye’s highlight of the night came in the second quarter when the dual-sport athlete ripped off a 53-yard run, getting tackled at the 13-yard line by his ankles.
“I didn’t get to the end zone, which is obviously disappointing because it’s what I was aiming for, but for me to just get out there and have a solid series, a solid run, that was the biggest thing for me,” Hayne said.
Head coach Jim Tomosula was impressed with his rookie’s performance last week, but he still wants to see the running back improve.
“He absolutely has to battle to make the roster. I hope I’m presenting a very tempered approach to what happened tonight with Jarryd,” Tomsula said. “There were things that went on and we have a long way to go.
“The thing that excites me is the type of person he is. You get into a situation you’re rooting for guys, but it has to happen, and he’s one of those guys.”
The former Parramatta Eels star will look to build off of his performance against the Houston Texans Sunday at home against the Dallas Cowboys.
“The way I run routes, to the way I handle the ball, picking up blitzes,” said Hayne, via The New York Times. “To me, there’s a whole bunch of things that I need to get used to and get better at.”
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