Jarryd Hayne

[Lods]

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=9030834

Jarryd Hayne's NFL regular-season debut for the San Francisco 49ers drew a television audience of 116,000 for ESPN in Australia, topping last season's record mark of 107,100 for the Super Bowl XLVIII.

Monday's match against the Minnesota Vikings was broadcast live at 12.15pm and was the biggest audience ever for the sports network, according to media, marketing and entertainment website Mumbrella.

[kruddler]

I have read a articles from the US and we also have to be careful of tall poppy syndrome in talking down his efforts as well. Some pretty well respected commentators on the game and former players have really talked up his capabilities. Jerry Rice said he reminded him of himself, that is incredible praise, another commentator said if 49ers had not have taken him, 20 other clubs would have, he had displayed enough to that stage.

He could fail, but most are putting their money on him making it from what I can see and these are people who really do know the game as well, not Aussie jounos

I've watched plenty of NFL people talk about him too.

In Australia we do have tall poppy syndrome.
In america they have whatever the opposite is. They talk people up so much. I made mention of Tebowmania before. No club wants him now and he is becoming a commentator.
The NBA had LINsanity for a while and he was the next greatest thing. He couldn't even get through the front door at his new team because security didn't believe he actually played.

I agree with Thry, he will stick around because of his story. Americans love aussies. He is getting extra coverage because there were 2 aussies in the NBA finals recently. Aussies, and thus Hayne, are very much flavour of the month in american sports.

I have talked about Hayne with 4 separate people, 2 of which are 49ers supporters. None of which think what he has done deserve the hype he is getting.

[mateinone]

I reckon he will make it.

why?

Well, he is good enough to be a depth player, and it suits an agenda for them to have an Australian "be succesful" in converting to the game.

It opens up another market for them, its a feel good story, and from a marketing perspective might give the game more spotlight in another country which all adds up to $$$ for TV rights.

He will be given every opportunity, and only if he is rubbish will they cast him off.

I think he will too, but I don't think it has to do with marketing.
Pro Ball is way to big a sport to pick a random aussie for the story. It is cut throat and he is only there on merit.
Make no mistake this industry is brutal. I don't follow it as much since I am back in Australia, but it is massive in the states at college and pro level. Building their base in Australia would not mean enough to have a player who can't play at pro level.

He may be depth, but as you can see if he is on the field and making mistakes like that, the 49ers will be scored against.
No he is there because they genuinely think he is a good enough footballer, which is remarkable.

[Amers]

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=9030834

Haha, I missed it, I was sleeping, however I was up at 3am to watch my Packers beat the Bears !!

[Thryleon]

I think he will too, but I don't think it has to do with marketing.
Pro Ball is way to big a sport to pick a random aussie for the story. It is cut throat and he is only there on merit.
Make no mistake this industry is brutal. I don't follow it as much since I am back in Australia, but it is massive in the states at college and pro level. Building their base in Australia would not mean enough to have a player who can't play at pro level.

He may be depth, but as you can see if he is on the field and making mistakes like that, the 49ers will be scored against.
No he is there because they genuinely think he is a good enough footballer, which is remarkable.

Of course MIO. I agree.  That's why I said he'd get every opportunity to prove he is up to it unless he is complete rubbish but we know from our own team how much a convert can be scapegoated if they travel poorly.

Tuohy and Setanta have both been criticised to the point where everyone else was pretty crap too was ignored but the soft targets are easily hit.

[kruddler]

"I still have a long way to go and learned a tough lesson tonight," said Hayne in the locker room after the match.

It's ok when he says it...but not when i say it.  ???

[madbluboy]

[mateinone]

Yeah he is at about 25% fumble/drop on punt returns so far, which isn't going to cut it, but the latest one is a rookie mistake. He takes the hit holding the ball and there is no problem, he just needs to learn that more. Kids learn that in high school, he still has some real potential, but he will not get that many more chances.

[kruddler]

So.....for all the people chastising me for telling it how it is....anyone want to make an apology?

Didn't even suit up today.

[Lods]

So.....for all the people chastising me for telling it how it is....anyone want to make an apology?

Didn't even suit up today.

I'll admit I know very little about it .
So yep you called it pretty right.
The thing is that punt return thing is a bit of a wanky position.
He'd be a lot better just running the ball but it looks like there are a couple of pretty competent blokes in front of him.