🏈 Alabama's Adam Griffith kicked through stress fracture in back, 'felt like somebody is stabbing me'

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Redshirt sophomore missed seven of 12 kicks after back issue returned last season

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[PhillyGirl]

Glad he is feeling better. Hope he stays healthy!

 

[jlabit]

Explains to me what happened to this kid that was supposed to be our kicking "superstar".

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/dg8Jx?...er&utm_campaign=alabama-crimson-tide-football


Adam Griffith's typical pre-game routine included treatment and extra stretching, tools intended to help alleviate the discomfort and limitations stemming from the stress fracture in the kicker's lower back that plagued him throughout most of last season.

"I talk to [Alabama special teams coordinatorBobby Williams] a lot, and he just said that Adam fought an injury all year long," Griffith's high school coach, Hal Lamb, said during a phone interview. "They were doing some research the last time I talked to coach Williams about getting some things ironed out with Adam's back, but he told me all the things he had to do before games and before practice to even be able to kick. I think it was frustrating for all of them and then of course for Adam."

The injury contributed to the struggles last season for Griffith, who made seven straight field goals to begin the year before missing seven of his final 12 attempts after the stress fracture, which was first a problem in high school, flared up the week of Alabama's game against Ole Miss on Oct. 4.

The expectation for Lamb is that Griffith should return to form as a redshirt sophomore with the issue, at least for now, under control.

"I think he's in good shape," Lamb said. "I think they've taken a different route with the offseason for him. I've talked to him, and he's feeling great."

Alabama begins spring practice next Friday.

Coaches have had Griffith spend the buildup focusing more on improving flexibility and less on traditional weight training than he has in the past, which Lamb said has helped with Griffith's back.

"The problem is that he kicks with so much force and has such a strong leg that over time the back just wears out, and I know he had a lot of [treatment] before he actually kicked in games, and I know it was a big problem throughout the year," Lamb said. "Nobody really knew. The average fan didn't know what he was dealing with. But a lot of us did. ...

"He's NFL material without a doubt. He's got a very strong leg and is very accurate. He's a very good kickoff guy, so I expect him to have a really, really good year if he's injury-free."