Carlton Supporters Club

For Hayne, being used as a running back, he needs to get past the line of scrimmage first. To do that he has to hope his offensive line can make a big enough hole for him to get through. If they do, like any running back, he will do well.

If they cannot make a big enough hole for him, he will struggle to pick the right gaps and get the right timing to break through the line and get into the secondary, where he will be taking on the defensive backs and linebackers mentioned in the article which he might have an advantage over.

I'm ignorant in terms of the game Kruds.
I found this bit interesting though.
This is one area where League players excel.
It's "bread and butter" stuff finding those gaps and timing a break in a defensive line.
You would think his instincts would dictate that this is one area where he'd shine

Of course as you point out it's a different game.

Looks like Bruce Ellington is the first-choice punt returner.

I'm far from the biggest league fan going around. But i've probably watched more league games than you have NFL games, so i'll give it a crack.

In league, you generally have a wall of players in a line stretching across the field. You might have 1 guy hanging out the back, full back? You pretty much go 1-on-1 in terms of matchups across the width of the ground and try a few things to MAKE a gap or get people tripping over themselves to find space. (overlaps, cut backs etc). Ultimately, the best players are the ones who can break the lines. Whether they run over a player or sidestep them. Feel free to correct me if i'm wrong with any of the above.

Ok, take it back a step. What happens when you are running, but a play 'doesnt work'? The gap you were hoping to be there is not, instead it is filled by a 260 pound linebackers sprinting right at you. You have about 1/4 second to work out what to do before you are flattened. Do you stop, try and dodge him, run the other way run backwards?? You can do all of those things. Sometimes it might work. Most of the time it doesn't. What the best running backs can do is basically see how the play is turning out and run to a gap that isn't there yet. It's counterintuitive, especially for a league player. The thing is, if you see a gap, the defense also sees the gap, and they usually get to it about the same time as you do (unless its a huge gap as mentioned earlier). You need to not only run to a place where you can get through, but run to a place that the defenders don't think you can get through. Sometimes the smallest gaps are the best as you can sneak past players charging at you through the more obvious gaps. Sometimes you can 'make gaps' by knowing what a given defender will do in a given situation and trick him into thinking he has you covered. Easier said than done though

We'll have to agree to disagree a bit on that Lods.

FYI, the 'depth chart' for the first game has been released/announced.

From the 53 man roster, 46 guys actually 'dress' on game day...which means they can actually play.

Hayne made the 46.

In terms of Running Back (RB) - he is 3rd (out of 4). Usually, you only see 2 actually get game time unless there is an injury.
In terms of Punt/kick returner - he is =2nd out of 3.

That pretty much confirms what i've expected. He makes the team, but you might not see him actually out on the ground.

As is often the case with players in his position, if/when he gets the chance, he better make the most of it, as he may not get another one.

We'll have to agree to disagree a bit on that Lods.

FYI, the 'depth chart' for the first game has been released/announced.

From the 53 man roster, 46 guys actually 'dress' on game day...which means they can actually play.

Hayne made the 46.

In terms of Running Back (RB) - he is 3rd (out of 4). Usually, you only see 2 actually get game time unless there is an injury.
In terms of Punt/kick returner - he is =2nd out of 3.

That pretty much confirms what i've expected. He makes the team, but you might not see him actually out on the ground.

As is often the case with players in his position, if/when he gets the chance, he better make the most of it, as he may not get another one.

OK, so first game for Hayne has been run and won. 49ers beat my vikings 20-3.

Yes, Hayne did make the 46 who dressed.
Yes, Hayne did make it out on the field......although that was helped by an injury to the 2nd running back Reggie Bush who did his calf in the 1st quarter not to return.

So Hayne first made it out on the field on special teams to return a punt. After talking him up the Awe-see rugby star misjudged the ball in the air, dove forward for the ball and.....FUMBLE. Ball recovered by the vikings.

THE worst start possible for him.

He subbed in at RB.
1st down - He got a handoff. First 'real' touch for the game. Run right. 1 yard gain. Meh.
2nd down - pass, he was a blocker, but had nobody to block.
3rd & 19 - Dump pass to Hayne in the backfield. Sidestepped the first guy who overcommitted got 7 yards in a play where the defense were just protecting the first down line. Nothing play.

Next time he came out was as a punt returner again. Got kicked the ball. Caught it, returned in an easy 10 yards. Meh.
Flag on the play, meant the ball had to be rekicked.
Interestingly, 49ers subbed him out for the rekick. Ellington (Haynes biggest rival for punt returner). Long punt. Caught and returned....for a TD! Another flag on the play. Called back.

Head to head battle, Ellington got the better of Hayne.

Hayne back on as running back. 2 yard gain on a run right. Meh.

Another punt return opportunity, 49ers go with Ellington again.

Hayne back on as running back. 9 yard gain up the middle. Good solid run. Decent gap. Nothing spectacular.
Another run up the middle. No gain.
Passing attempt, Hayne required to block, makes block allows time for Kap to make a completed pass. Good block.

That is all.

End result...
Hayne
4 carries for 13 yards.
1 catch for 7 yards.
1 return, fumble lost.

Got more gametime courtesy of an injury than expected. Didn't disgrace himself, but nothing to get excited about.

As a comparison, their #1 running back (2nd season) had a blinder and picked apart the vikings defense.
Hyde.
26 carries for 168 yards for 2 TDs.
2 catches for 12 yards

Where to now?
Haynes first up fumble will hurt his career. It already showed with Ellington taking over returns in game 1. That could potentially be in order to keep Hayne fresh to sub in as backup running back, but given he was rarely used in that role, i suspect it's more about his fumble.

He might get more gametime as a backup running back while bush recovers from his calf, but then again, Bush might be back next week.

Overall grade: D+

I defer to your superior knowledge of the game, but you were clearly wrong.

Possibly one of the most negative things I've ever read.

In terms of Running Back (RB) - he is 3rd (out of 4). Usually, you only see 2 actually get game time unless there is an injury.
In terms of Punt/kick returner - he is =2nd out of 3.