Jarryd Hayne excited for his future (and Australian coffee) as rookie season closes

Source: blogs.mercurynews.com --- Thursday, December 31, 2015
Jarryd Hayne’s first NFL season – heck, his first season of any Football – comes to a close Sunday with him fully optimistic about his future. The former Australian rugby-league star is coming off his first career start, and whether he remains in that role for the 49ers’ finale against the St. Louis Rams, it at least will afford more experience in his highly scrutinized career switch. “There’s a whole bunch of things I’ve improved on,” Hayne said Thursday. “I guess over time, I’m going to get better, and I’m excited for the future, because I’m still learning and still developing.” Hayne’s preseason showing led to him returning punts in the 49ers’ first six games, and after spending nearly two months on the practice squad, he returned to the roster last weekend as the surprise starter in Sunday’s 32-17 loss at Detroit. Upon rejoining the 53-man roster, Hayne signed a three-year, minimum-salary contract that keeps his rights under the 49ers’ control through 2017. What does that future hold? “I’m not too sure,” Hayne said. “You obviously have to wait and see, and take it one day at a time.” Offensive coordinator Geep Chryst cautioned against labeling Hayne as a third-down back, possession receiver or special-teams maven. “All those labels we want to define him,” Chryst said, “but he’s kind of an outlier in that he can carry the ball, he can catch the ball, he can run. We’ll have to wait and see where it goes.” Short-yardage speciali ...

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