Why less is more for Hayne

Jarryd Hayne

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Branch claims that Hayne has been so impressive in the NFL preseason, that coach Jim Tomsula is now resting him because he is a certainty for final selection.

“I would fall over backward if he doesn’t (make it),” Branch told Sky Sports radio.

“I’ve seen he’s good enough to be at this level, he’s certainly good enough to be our starting punt returner.

“In some ways he may even receive, I don’t want to say star treatment, but if this is a guy (who) we think is going to be on the roster and could be pretty darn good, why have him out there returning five punts in a meaningless game?

“(Hayne’s limited play time) could’ve been a bit of ‘lets make sure he doesn’t get injured’. And though I’m sure a lot of Australians weren’t happy that he had so few touches, I think it bodes well for his future.”


He's come a long way: Jarryd Hayne before his NFL journey began.

Branch was originally one of Hayne’s critics, but after seeing his performances on the field he thinks the former Eel could make his mark solely as a punt-returner.

“Initially before training camp started I thought there’s no way they’ll be able to keep him and just say ‘you’re a returner’, that he’d have to do a few more things and have a few more dimensions,” Branch said.

“But he is so good in open space as a returner that I think they could certainly justify just using him in that role because he has potential to be such an asset.

“It doesn’t mean he can’t play running back or he won’t play running back but you can see that’s where he’s more of a work in progress.”

Reports have suggested that if Hayne doesn’t make the cut, he could be dropped to the 49ers training squad. In what Branch suggests as a “highly unlikely scenario”, Hayne would be offered to 31 other clubs before being demoted to a training squad.

Branch put these rumours to bed saying, “the chances of all that happening are zero.”

 

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