The Mercury News Weekend

Hyde aims to be top running back in the NFL

- By Cam Inman cinman@ bayareanew­sgroup.com

SANTA CLARA » Carlos Hyde opened 49ers training camp with an outlandish mission statement: “My goal is to be the No. 1 rushing running back in this league.”

Hey, it’s good to have goals. So how can Hyde realize his?

Here are five aspects he must conquer: 1. ‘ THUNDER- AND- LIGHTNING’ STRIKE » General manager John Lynch, in purveying the initial 53man roster, confirmed Hyde “is going to be featured in this deal.” But both Lynch and Hyde noted that rookie Matt Breida will share the ball- carrying workload, and Hyde seems genuinely excited.

“We go together good, like a thunder- and-lightning combo,” Hyde said Thursday. “He’ll be used just as much as I’m being used.

“It’ll be good for us, to keep

each other fresh and tear this season up.”

Hyde has been the unchalleng­ed starter since 49ers all- time leading rusher Frank Gore left after 2014. Breida, despite going undrafted, is a sleek, determined runner who can complement Hyde, if not push him to avoid complacenc­y.

No. 3 back Raheem Mostert is more of a specialtea­ms ace, and gone are other vultures to Hyde’s carries: Joe Williams (injured reserve) and Tim Hightower (released). 2. SHANAHAN SYSTEM » The outside-zone scheme worked wonders for running backs under Kyle Shanahan, as well as his retired father, Mike. So how will Hyde adjust after taking so many handoffs in his career from the zone-read or shotgun formations?

“He definitely fits this offense,” center Daniel Kilgore said. “It’s a great opportunit­y to be the starter and carry it through the season.”

Kyle Shanahan’s offenses have produced a top-10 rusher in four of the past five seasons: Washington’s Alfred Morris (second in 2012, third in 2013) and Atlanta’s Devonta Freeman (seventh in 2015, ninth in 2016).

Hyde ran for only 34 yards, had just three carries after halftime and lost a second-series fumble the Panthers returned for a touchdown in last season’s Week 2 loss at Carolina. Does Shanahan offer a better chance to win?

“It’s night and day right there,” Hyde said. “It’s two different game plans. Coach Shanahan’s game plan, yeah, it definitely will put us in better position to win, so I’m looking forward to that.” 3. HEALTH AND WELLNESS » Hyde reported to camp at 228 pounds, his lightest since high school so he can be nimbler and patiently await a seam. He emerged healthy out of the exhibition season, and that matters way more than his average of 2.6 yards per carry.

Injuries have hindered his career. A foot fracture cost him the final nine games of 2015. A sprained knee kept him out of last season’s finale, 12 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard season. “I came out of camp feeling great, and I’m going into Week 1 feeling great,” Hyde said. 4. SUPPORTING CAST » Last season’s 2-14 train wreck resulted in a slew of makeovers, and Hyde stands to benefit from that beyond just new coaching and schemes. Quarterbac­k Brian Hoyer has impressed with his command of Shanahan’s system, one that relies on play-action passes buoyed by a rushing threat such as Hyde and deep-ball threat in Marquise Goodwin.

“Some of the passes he’s made are unbelievab­le,” Hyde said. “Then him connecting with Marquise (Goodwin), that’s a great thing to see. It’s something we haven’t seen in a while, so, for me, I’m loving it. Looking forward to it happening on Sunday, and then the running game can explode.” 5. INTANGIBLE­S » Hyde is in the final year of his rookie contract, as are other holdovers the new regime wants to evaluate before issuing extensions. But he sure isn’t getting cut before the season, as some foolishly speculated after Williams’ fourth-round selection.

Say Hyde indeed surpasses the 1,000-yard mark? Well, that would be “over” the projected mark of 950 yards set by online sportsbook Bovada, which lists 12 running backs ahead of Hyde as favorites to win the NFL rushing title.

• Cornerback Rashard Robinson played only 11 of 83 defensive snaps last season at Carolina, but he saw the damage inf licted by 6-foot- 5 wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (108 yards, two touchdowns).

“He has a real big body and a big catch radius, so you’ve got to go out there, be aggressive and attack the football,” Robinson said. “If you give up a big play, it boils down to your shortterm memory, just execute and have a plan for each play.”

• Defensive end Mario Addison, who led the Panthers with a career-high 9½ sacks last season, eagerly awaits his matchup with 49ers left tackle Joe Staley.

“He’s a helluva tackle,” Addison told the Charlotte Observer. “So I’ve got my work cut out for me. He’s pretty solid. He’s good with his feet, a good runblock and pass-block type of player.

“So I’m about to give him the business.”

Staley, an 11th-year veteran, compliment­ed Addison: “He’s a super-talented pass rusher. He gets overlooked. Last year, people were taking notice, but he’s been doing it for a while. He’s real fast. Going against him last year was a big challenge.”

• Free safety Jimmie Ward ( hamstring), tight end George Kittle ( hamstring) and defensive end Aaron Lynch ( back) remained limited.

• Defensive lineman Xavier Cooper, the 49ers’ only waiver claim Sunday, is viewed by Saleh as an interior rusher who’ll backup DeForest Buckner.

“Pretty good run defender, and he’s got some quick twitch off the ball,” Saleh said.

• Ben Boulware, a star linebacker last year for Clemson, is excited about joining the 49ers practice squad. He got cut from the Panthers before they divulged their Week 1 game plan, and although the 49ers coaches did debrief him a little, Boulware said it was “nothing too serious.”

 ?? HANNAH FOSLIEN — GETTY IMAGES ?? Carlos Hyde predicts a breakout season with coach Kyle Shanahan's run-friendly offensive system.
HANNAH FOSLIEN — GETTY IMAGES Carlos Hyde predicts a breakout season with coach Kyle Shanahan's run-friendly offensive system.
 ?? NHAT V. MEYER — STAFF PHOTOGRAPH­ER ?? Hyde, in the last year of his rookie contract, reported to camp the lightest he has been since high school to help improve his agility and is healthy headed into Week 1.
NHAT V. MEYER — STAFF PHOTOGRAPH­ER Hyde, in the last year of his rookie contract, reported to camp the lightest he has been since high school to help improve his agility and is healthy headed into Week 1.

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