Jarryd Haye-How good is he?

[the ollie reed fan club]

I know we have had this debate many times over as to what is the harder sport to play, American Football or Rugby League and/or Union. I guess that debate can continue on another day but have any of my American friends been following the coverage of Aussie former Rugby league star Jarryd Hayne and his attempt to make it in American football?

For those that don't know what I'm talking abut, this year Hayne walked away from a very lucrative career in league to try and make ago of it in America in a sport that he had never played before.

He is currently trialing for the 49'ers and most experts are expecting him to make the cut in 2 weeks time to play NFL in the coming season. If he does make it where would this rank as an achievement given that he has never played American Football in his life before?

I personally have to rate it as 'right up there' if he manages to end up playing NFL. To me one of the more incredible sports stories this year.

[ViperSniper]

Saw a story on this. This is massive and hope he can do well!!

[and the NEW]

Pretty incredible. And I saw the AFL got some American guy in it, WTF is going on! It used to be Rugby League and Rugby Union switching codes, now it appears all types of contact football are taking part!

[ViperSniper]

Yeah St Kilda got Jason Holmes who is the very first born American AFL player. He is african american and only took up the sport 2 years ago and had his debut last week..

[and the NEW]

Is he a star in the making Viper, or just an average joe at this point?

[ViperSniper]

(08-28-2015 07:07 AM)and the NEW Wrote:  Is he a star in the making Viper, or just an average joe at this point?

I couldn't tell you unfortunately, but hear they are expecting good things. Fitz is more in the know about AFL than me, so maybe he can tell you more..

[and the NEW]

Good to hear Viper, the AFL sucks! haha

[Spyder]

Hayne has been impressive on special teams, which is really his only shot at making the final cut. They let him run it out of the backfield a couple of times, but there is way too much involved in being a premiere running back for him to learn in this short amount of time. It is more than just getting the ball and hitting the right hole.

I can see him getting another shot as a kick returner from someone, even if the niners cut him. Each team has their own set of needs, and a return specialist isn't always the highest on the list...although that is changing. Teams have learned that a good return specialist can have a huge impact in changing field position. Not to mention save their stars from the risk of injury.

[the ollie reed fan club]

(08-28-2015 09:25 AM)Spyder Wrote:  Hayne has been impressive on special teams, which is really his only shot at making the final cut. They let him run it out of the backfield a couple of times, but there is way too much involved in being a premiere running back for him to learn in this short amount of time. It is more than just getting the ball and hitting the right hole.

I can see him getting another shot as a kick returner from someone, even if the niners cut him. Each team has their own set of needs, and a return specialist isn't always the highest on the list...although that is changing. Teams have learned that a good return specialist can have a huge impact in changing field position. Not to mention save their stars from the risk of injury.

So in other words actually not that newsworthy?

[Spyder]

Not necessarily. There have been a few return guys that are very newsworthy...Devin Hester, Dante Hall, Tavon Austin. If he can prove to be as effective and exciting as them, then it will be a huge accomplishment.

There's not a lot that we can really say about him now though, since we're still in the preseason. He's basically playing against 2nd/3rd teamers and no-hopers. I think that he's shown enough to earn a spot as a punt returner, but we won't know how capable he really is until the season starts.