SANTA CLARA: After a rookie year of struggle, Jarryd Hayne says the complexities of an NFL playbook are not so complex.
The former Australian rugby league star has emerged from his first two weeks under new San Francisco 49ers coach Chip Kelly a new man.
"It's a lot better," Hayne smiled when he met with reporters at the 49ers headquarters.
Hayne wasn't as happy about the continuing rumours surrounding a possible return to the NRL.
"At the start it got a bit annoying ... I guess it was disappointing, but that's just the media back home, they tend to make stories up to sell papers and try and get more viewers.
"I'm accustomed to that, I know how they operate, so for me I knew what I was doing, I knew where I was going. I was just maintaining focus and not let it get to me. Obviously it's upsetting when you see fans react according to what they read or what was on the news that evening ... but I think they are starting to get used to stories that are coming out that aren't true."
A year ago Hayne spoke about his frustration and long nights with his head buried in what was a completely foreign playbook - attempting to decipher running routes, formations, protections and other NFL jargon.
He resorted to stuffing a cheat sheet in his pants, something teammates who had been playing the game since they were kids thought was hilarious.
Hayne, after surviving what was a rookie season of highs and lows, was handed Kelly's new playbook on April 4, the first day of the team's off season program.
On Sunday he had an epiphany.
Kelly's new high-speed playbook suddenly clicked in his head.
"It was weird because I was studying from Monday to Thursday and I was just like, 'I'm going to have a day off to just clear my head'," Hayne said.
"I did that and come Saturday I was OK.
"Then Sunday I just went, 'boom boom boom'
"It felt great because I've learned the majority."
Hayne's second year at the 49ers will be played under an almost completely different coaching staff, with just running back coach Tom Rathman surviving mass sackings after last year's poor season.
Hayne was cagey when asked if Kelly would again use him as a running back and a returner on special teams or in a completely different position.
"You'll have to ask Chip," Hayne said.
Despite cracking the playbook code, Hayne joked he might still need to stuff a cheat sheet in his pants.
"I've thought about it," he laughed.
Picture: Jarryd Hayne talking to reporters outside 49ers HQ. Picture by Cole Bennett