The former Watson teammate was giddy about a potential reunion
Watson, Renfrow reunion would be "great"
Mar 3, 2019, 7:30 am
The former Watson teammate was giddy about a potential reunion
Three years ago Deshaun Watson and Hunter Renfrow connected for the game-winning score to win the Clemson Tigers the national championship.
On This Date: Deshaun Watson found Hunter Renfrow to give @ClemsonFB the title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/G62Vmh0Lqp
— ESPN (@espn) January 9, 2019
Could they recreate their Clemson connection in the pros?
Renfrow spoke at the NFL Scouting Combine Friday and said he had met with Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly. He also mentioned the meeting was very unique compared to the other meetings he's had with teams.
The Texans meeting centered around his relationship with Deshaun while Renfrow mentioned other meetings are more about getting to know him and his style the Texans got down to business talking about he and Watson's history and potential future.
The NFL is no stranger to Clemson pass catchers. Renfrow detailed the success the school has had producing NFL players at his position.
[ia_video https://s3.amazonaws.com/roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms/runner%2F9313-IMG_9616.MOV source="https://s3.amazonaws.com/roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms/runner%2F9313-IMG_9616.MOV" caption="Renfrow on Clemson WR at the combine" attribution="Cody Stoots" videoControls=true shortcode_id=1551546543561 expand=1 ]Being a short, white, skilled wide receiver people naturally assume the New England Patriots will be interested. How does Renfrow feel about that connection being drawn?
"They win," he said. "I'll go wherever they pay me to go. The Patriots would be cool, playing with a guy like Tom Brady. That would be incredible, to play with one of the greatest to ever play the game would be special."
But what about reuniting with the quarterback you won a national title with?
"That'd be great," Renfrow exclaimed about possibly playing with Watson again.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney joked with his departing slot pass catcher. Renfrow said his former head coach explained he might end up with a downgrade at quarterback despite being the NFL having played with talented throwers like Watson and current Clemson star Trevor Lawrence.
Well, Swinney might be right. Unless, of course, Watson to Renfrow happens in red, white, and blue like it did in orange and purple.
The skill set Renfrow brings to the table replicates quite a bit what last year's selection in the fourth round, Keke Coutee, brings to the table. They are both slot wideouts though Coutee is set to be the more dynamic athlete (Renfrow only benched at the combine putting up seven reps).
But, why not make this work? Coutee was hurt in his only NFL action, but played great for a rookie when he was in there. Renfrow has a track record of durability coming from college. He has tape that matters despite concerns about his athletcism and the ability to withstand hits at the NFL level.
Imagine having Coutee and Renfrow in the slots and Hopkins on the outside with say, tight end Jordan Thomas. You stop speed or you stop size. You can't stop both.
It feels like a bit of a luxury pick though, and Renfrow could go in about the fourth round where the Texans don't have a selection due to the Demaryius Thomas trade. If he kept slipping down the draft boards into the fifth or later he would be worth adding to the team.
Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.
The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.
On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.
Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.
It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.
The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.
How the mighty have fallen.
Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.
Screenshot via: MLB.com
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