The San Francisco 49ers are struggling dearly three weeks into their 2015 season. There’s no two ways about that.
“Jarryd Hayne has an aggressive punt return for 37 yards that sets up the 49ers’ only score of the game. But it also begs the question why DeAndrew White, and not Hayne, was returning kicks.”
Meanwhile Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury reiterated that point whilst also suggesting rookie Brown wasn’t a better option than Hayne at RB.
“Mike Davis (seven carries, six yards) isn’t proving to be a better alternative than Jarryd Hayne while Reggie Bush recovers from a Week 1 calf strain.”
“Jarryd Hayne’s 37-yard punt return – his only action aside from a fair catch – reaffirmed the need for the 49ers to utilize him more. He needs to take over kickoff returns, a role that rookie DeAndrew White hasn’t fared well in the past two games, including a fumble on one return this game.”
And Scott Osler at the San Francisco Chronicle noted Hayne’s lone highlight in an otherwise bleak day in the desert for the Niners.
“Even the occasional ray of light for the 49ers was dim. Tomsula and his coaches have been trying to pump the brakes on the public hyperventilating over Jarryd Hayne, intimating that his preseason performances were a mirage.”
“Pressed into duty by necessity Sunday, Hayne returned one punt for 37 dazzling yards. Let’s see Tomsula put that toothpaste back in the tube.”
The benefit of having Hayne as the person he is, is that he is already a tenured, established professional athlete. And if the side crumbles around him, he’ll be able to handle the pressure any added responsibility placed on him will incur.