NFL Quick-Hits: Hayne Makes Preseason Watchable
By: Deuce Mason
The Hayne Plane
I never thought I'd get excited to watch a player in a preseason game but man, Jarryd Hayne has made preseason watchable. Have you ever heard fans get that excited for a player in a meaningless game? The guy has NEVER played in the NFL and he legitimately looks like he can help the 49ers as a return man.
"He's never played the game and is in the conversation to make the 53 man roster. That's the story," 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula said.
Hayne is an intriguing prospect and the 49ers should do anything they can to make sure he remains on the team. A ton of NFL teams would love the chance to claim him if he's put on waivers.
Crazy stat from Eric Branch on Hayne: Yards per carry (9.0); yards per punt return (21.6), yards per kickoff return (33.0).
A Hall of Famer Gives Some Dumb Advice
The video shows Cris Carter telling NFL rookies to make sure they have a "fall guy" in their crew, just in case something bad goes down.
Really? The symposium should be educating rookies on the do's and don'ts in the NFL; not telling players how to get out of trouble when they get a DUI. These former players can provide examples of mistakes they made in the past, and they can tell these young players how to survive the temptations as a million-dollar athlete.
The easy argument is to say that "it's the culture of the NFL. It's reality!" Well, you can change the culture. Telling players to get a "fall guy" is not how you change the culture.
You're better than that, Cris.
An NFC contender lost a huge piece
The Packers have lost WR Jordy Nelson after he suffered a torn ACL in the Packers preseason game.
"It's difficult to lose a guy like that in a meaningless game," Aaron Rodgers told ESPN.com.
We all admit that it's a meaningless game, but would it help if the league reduced the number of preseason games?
"At least cut it down, maybe, to a couple," Rodgers said.
I don't think there's a clear solution to preventing these injures. NFL head coaches can elect to sit their stars but they also need to get tuned up for the regular season. These injuries aren't exclusive to the preseason. We've heard a ton of stories of players suffering season-ending injuries in training camp.
I do know that if I was a head coach or GM, I'd be stressed out of my mind worrying about my players getting injured before the season starts.
Nelson may be out but the Packers will move on. Hell, look at how reporters and fans handled the news. "Nelson's out? OK, does that mean Devante Adams is a legit option in my fantasy football league?"
