49ers’ Hyde eager for more huge holes in Week 1
In last year’s season opener, Carlos Hyde was the other running back in a game that included Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, a former NFL MVP.
On Wednesday, Hyde was asked about playing Week 1 in a game that will include Rams running back Todd Gurley, last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.
[...] that was the highlight for Hyde, who averaged 50.3 rushing yards over his next six games before his season ended because of a stress fracture in his foot.
[...] he’s eager to see if the cavernous holes he was saw in exhibition games are available when the real games begin.
In three preseason games, Hyde had three runs of 20-plus yards in 15 carries.
Of the 44 running backs who had at least 100 carries, Hyde was just one of four who had fewer than two runs of at least 20 yards.
Hyde credits an overhauled offensive line for the wide open spaces.
Center Daniel Kilgore (injury) and right guard Anthony Davis (sabbatical) are back after missing all or part of the 2015 season, and new right tackle Trent Brown inspired a host of training-camp gushing with his performance this summer.
The passing game will feature quarterback Blaine Gabbert, whose No. 2 wide receiver is Quinton Patton (36 career reception).
In head coach Chip Kelly’s three seasons with the Eagles, Philadelphia ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (6,301), fifth in yards per attempt (4.5) and seventh in carries (1,417).
[...] it’s conceivable he’ll become the workhorse back LeSean McCoy was in Philadelphia, where he led the NFL in carries (626) and ranked second in yards (2,926) from 2013-14.