No San Francisco 49ers player played more snaps in the first preseason game against the Tennessee Titans than rookie cornerback Renardo Green.
Green played 61 snaps in this game. What’s even more interesting is that he played half of those snaps in the slot. The 49ers pushed him from the inside to the outside, as they have done all training camp.
Green has a tough task ahead of him, but this shows that the 49ers really want him to succeed. Perhaps because they want him to be the starter this year, replacing Deommodore Lenoir.
In any case, Green’s performances in training camp and preseason games have not gone unnoticed. Last week, it was Lenoir who raved about Green, calling him an up-and-coming “playmaker.” Now, it’s All-Pro Charvarius Ward who is expressing his confidence in rookie Green.
“He’s looked good at both positions,” Ward said. “He’s got a really good body to play outside corner and the quickness to play inside corner as well. He’s physically strong and can tackle, because in our defense, as a nickelback, you’re another linebacker, so you have to be able to tackle and cover as well. So I think he can do it all.”
Green has been treated somewhat unfairly by the 49ers. Instead of letting him settle into the NFL at a position he’s comfortable with, the 49ers are trying to throw everything at him. It’s unfair, but it’s also a prime opportunity if he can answer the call. Ward believes he can.
“It’s tough, but he’s smart. He’s smart. He graduated, so I think he’ll definitely figure it out. It’s going to take some time. Just being in the NFL is a big adjustment, so as a nickelback, you definitely have to see pullers, linemen, the quarterback and all that. I think he’ll figure it out eventually. It’s going to take some time and they’ll slowly get him used to it.”
Isaac Yiadom was the presumptive cornerback to start opposite Ward, but his ankle injury leaves a spot open for Green. We’ll see if Green can join offensive lineman Dominick Puni as another rookie who can earn a surprise role as a starter.
