49ers coach Chip Kelly ‘intrigued’ by Jarryd Hayne

NEW San Francisco coach Chip Kelly has finally revealed exactly what he thinks of Australian rugby league convert Jarryd Hayne.

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 03: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines against the St. Louis Rams during an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

JARRYD Hayne has a new boss to impress when he heads back to San Francisco for training camp and the early signs are he’ll be given every opportunity to do just that.

Incoming 49ers boss Chip Kelly says he’s intrigued by the skill-set of the Australian rugby league convert and is excited to see the improvement he can make in his second season in the NFL.

Hayne made rapid progress in his first season to force his way on to the 49ers’ active roster — an achievement that didn’t go unnoticed by former Philadelphia Eagles coach Kelly.

“I think it’s pretty amazing just because I know how difficult this game is, and to not have any background in it and then to be able to play at its highest level is really a credit to him in terms of what type of athlete he is,” Kelly said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday.

“He’s one of those guys, you get really excited to see what he can do and what type of jump he can make in year two with a better understanding of how the game is played. But he certainly has a skillset that’s intriguing.”

Kelly has a host of running backs to sift through in the lead-up to the season because of how many different players the 49ers were forced to use in that position last year.

He said number one back Carlos Hyde will be encouraged to keep running with his punishing style despite his injury woes.

“You’re not going to take that away from him,” Kelly said. “I think that’s a strength of his. A lot of times guys get hurt when they’re not delivering the blow, they’re accepting the blow. I look at that (physical style) as a positive.”

Mike Davis, Shaun Draughn, DuJuan Harris and Kendall Gaskins are also in the mix. “Some of those other guys — they were impressive down the stretch there,” Kelly said. “And guys they got off the street. There’s some talent at the running back spot.”

Hayne spoke Thursday night about his excitement towards linking up with Kelly, who has a reputation as one of the NFL’s more creative users of backs.

“My favourite formation is definitely from (shot) gun,” Hayne said in a Q&A on Twitter. “I guess it’s a bit easier to read the defence a bit more and get that extra half a second of vision before you have to make a decision. I’m blessed enough to have Chip Kelly, who runs a system like that as well. So I’m excited for that and just want to get back there and train the house down and obviously impress the coaches.”

Jarryd Hayne returns a punt against the Green Bay Packers.

Hayne played eight of 16 games last season, running the ball 17 times for 52 yards. He also took six catches for 27 yards and returned eight punts for 76 yards.

The former Parramatta Eel wants to improve on those numbers this season but hasn’t set himself specific targets.

“Contrary to popular belief I haven’t really set goals. I just kinda do my thing and hope it works out. It’s all about working hard and just improving every day ...” he said.

“Everything I did last year I just want to do it better — from every aspect ... and making my body as strong and as balanced as I can, that’s a huge thing.”

49ers general manager Trent Baalke also spoke about Hayne at the combine, making an unfortunate blooper about which sport the Aussie used to play.

“Jarryd, his second year. It was quite an experience for him going from Australian Rules Football to the National Football League,” Baalke said.

“I think if you asked him, he’d tell you his eyes got opened pretty quick. Especially when you go from preseason games to the regular season games, just the difference in tempo and everything that goes with that.

“He learned a lot, did some good things for us and expecting him to come back and have a better feel for the game.”

49ers GM Trent Baalke talks about Jarryd Hayne at NFL scouting combine

Posted by Matt Maiocco on Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Originally published as 49ers coach Chip Kelly ‘intrigued’ by Jarryd Hayne