On Tuesday some Alabama players talked to the media about the state of the special teams.
Kicker Adam Griffith said he had a good camp. He said his back has improved, but it is not 100%.
“I think I got better on kickoffs I also feel like I got better on field goals too,” Griffith said. “This year my back feels a lot better and I’m more confident.”
Griffith said he has monitored the number of reps he takes so he can avoid overworking himself. He said he’s followed JK Scott’s lead on things like incorporating Pilates and limiting his number of kicks.
Griffith said he feels confident that this season he can kick well from 55 yards out, and he said one of his main goals is to consistently make field goals .
Griffith is not the only special team’s player looking to change things up this year. Cornerback Cyrus Jones was listed as the first string punt returner in yesterday’s depth chart.
“I came in here kind of an offensive mind guy at first, you know I like the ball in my hands,” Jones said. “So it’s definitely an exciting thing for me to get a chance to get back there and show what I can do.”
Jones said he has to trust the guys in front of him to block when the punt is in the air. Securing the ball is key. After that Jones said he will make one cut and try to find a seam, but Jones impact will not be limited to punt returns.
Jones said the older guys have taken the younger defensive backs under their wings. One of those guys, Marlon Humphrey, is starting in the cornerback spot opposite of Jones.
“This year you just see he’s more confident out there just knowing the adjustment to make in certain situations,” Jones said. “He’s not scared to come up and tackle you. [He] makes plays on the ball in the air so definitely a guy who you can look for to make plays out there on Saturdays.”
Jones said he believes that Humphrey’s had a better grasp of the game mentally. He said that’s why he has looked so much better in camp this season.
Several defensive backs have taken reps at multiple roles at one point or another. Jones said he believes that this will help the team.
“I mean sometimes on the field you got guys out there who everyone came to play corner at one point, and you got those type guys at safety,” Jones said. “So I think that just gives you a better advantage.”
