Renfrow-Joyner a game within a game
NAPA — Jon Gruden told slot cornerback Lamarcus Joyner during offseason workouts that his pet project was rookie receiver Hunter Renfrow.
And while the 5-foot-8, 185pound Joyner and the 5-10, 185pound Renfrow isn’t a training camp matchup to move mountains on the order of 730 pounds worth of Trent Brown (380) vs. Justin Ellis (350), the daily battles could go a long way toward bringing out the best in both men and benefit both sides of the ball.
Renfrow, a fifth-round draft pick from Clemson, has enjoyed a productive five practices and early indications are he has a legitimate shot to be the third receiver along with new acquisitions Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams.
“I’m in a lucky position because I get to go against one of the best nickel corners in the game, and being able to get against him every day I feel will make me better,” Renfrow said Thursday as the Raiders resumed practice after a day off. “If I can get open against him, I feel like I can get open against most anybody.”
And Renfrow is getting open. More often than Joyner would like. He knows this because Gruden and offensive coordinator Greg Olson told him so.
“They came over and said, Hey, we told you to mentor the guy, not get your butt kicked,” Joyner said. “I was like, You just opened a can of worms.’ “
Getting open has been Renfrow’s stock in trade since he walked on at Clemson in 2015 and caught 186 passes for 2,133 yards and 15 touchdowns in four seasons. He has skills as an outside receiver, but has thrived in the slot, finding soft spots in high-traffic areas and keeping the chains moving.
While Joyner is doing his best to shut down Renfrow — and was good enough go stride-for-stride to make a play against Antonio Brown during his lone practice appearance Tuesday — he’s also passing along valuable information.
“He’s really good at quick-jamming and he’ll get his hands on you so quick, so be ready for that,” Renfrow said. “If he’s leading inside, then be ready to get outside and get his hands off you. That’s just one of the things we’ve discussed.”
Joyner said Renfrow has an innate ability to set up defenders by using leverage to find open areas and making them think “he’s going vertical or going out and able to stop on a dime and come back in real quick.”
Renfrow is 23 but looks a good five years younger. General man
ager Mike Mayock called him “Dougie Howser” after the 1989-93 series about a kid doctor starring Neil Patrick Harris that ended before Renfrow was born. Renfrow had no clue what Mayock was talking about — he had to ask his father — but is taking the jabs with good humor.
“It’s fine, because I know if I was in their position I’d give them a hard time too,” Renfrow said. “I don’t look the part.”
Joyner isn’t the only defensive back who has found Renfrow to be slippery and cagey in coverage.
“Man, he’s (got) everything,” safety Karl Joseph said. “He’s deceptively fast and he’s got the quickness. He’s smart. He’s very smart. He knows how to get open in the zone. So, I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people this year.”
One person Renfrow won’t surprise is Trayvon Mullen, a second-round draft pick and Clemson teammate.
“I’ve seen it for three years,” Mullen said. “He’s going to get open every play. He was always slept on. If you don’t have good technique, you’re not going to have a chance of winning against him.”
Renfrow, whose closest competitor early on looks to be veteran Ryan Grant, believes he is still doing a little more thinking than reacting as he absorbs the offense. Once it becomes second nature, he’ll have a feel for things that goes beyond knowledge and preparation.
“I think 90 percent of it is instinct,” Renfrow said. “You can watch film, but at the same time, it’s just playing backyard football. Same thing as Clemson. Same thing as high school. There might be a zone defender, but I’m still trying to beat you. He still has his eyes on me. So everything is man-to-man for the most part.”
Joyner signed a four-year, $42 million contract in the off-season to primarily play slot corner, although he believes coordinator Paul Guenther’s system will put him position to make plays on the back end and outside as well.
“Coach Guenther does a really good job with moving the nickel back around at safety, outside, inside. It’s going to be a special year for the secondary.
In the meantime, Joyner is taking his role as a mentor seriously. After one day of practice, Joyner was coaching up rookie corner Isaiah Johnson, with Mayock playing close attention.
“My biggest goal while I’m here is to pour out myself for the guys around me so we can be a great defense,” Joyner said. “Selfless, all about my guys.”
More Day 5 notes and highlights:
— No sign of wide receiver Antonio Brown, who on Tuesday night posted a since expired Instagram post showing two heavily blistered feet.
When Brown does return, special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia wants to see him fielding a few punts.
“I think when Antonio certainly comes back to practice we’re going to get him back catching and put him in a situation where hopefully he’s in a backup role or who knows, there could be two guys back there together,” Bisaccia said. “A lot of different things can happen.”
— A.J. Cole did the punting Thursday, with Johnny Townsend up Friday, special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia said. Cole’s hang times ranged from 4.78 (good) to 3.21 (awful) with most kicks coming in over four seconds.
— Wide receiver Jordan Lasley was claimed off waivers after being let go by the Baltimore Ravens. Lasley was on the 53-man roster of the Baltimore Ravens last season but did not play in a game. Lasley caught 69 passes for 1,264 yards and nine touchdowns for UCLA In 2017. Wide receiver Brian Burt was waived.