After missing all four FGs, could Bama replace kicker Griffith?
Alabama is a team built on dominant defense, their run game, playing field position and special teams. Considering that formula, the Tide may have a big problem on their hands judging by kicker Adam Griffith's performance thus far after two games.
Griffith has missed his first four field goals, two in the opener against Wisconsin and two more last weekend against Middle Tennessee State. All four kicks have been inside 50-yard distance. His latest effort earned him the ire of Alabama fans, as they showered him with boos.
According to the Montgomery Adviser, his team isn't in a hurry to replace him.
“We obviously need to get more production there, but we also have confidence in him and we think he can get the job done,” head coach Nick Saban said following Saturday's game. “But there may come a point sometime where we give somebody else an opportunity.”
The slow start only compounds Griffith's struggles to convert kicks successfully, as Alabama's kicker is now just five for his last 16 field goal attempts.
“I think a lot of these types of things are mental, confidence, psychological, mental disposition,” Saban said. “I think he needs to make some kicks, I think it’d be really good for him, and I think it’d be really good for us.”
His coach isn't the only that has his back, as senior corner Cyrus Jones recently spoke up for Griffith.
“We still have the utmost confidence in Griff," Jones said. "Whatever he’s going through I’m sure he’s going to get it fixed. He’s a competitor so I know he’s going to come into practice and work hard and focus in on what he has to do to kind of get back into his groove. We’re not worried about Griff at all.”
Giving the kicker support is important, but how long will that last as the team heads into SEC play, where points will be at a premium? If Griffith misses an attempt against the Rebels stingy defense, will he quickly get the hook?
(h/t Montgomery Adviser)