Steve Sarkisian’s Healthy Skepticism

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SARK.CELEBRATE.ASUSteve Sarkisian always sounded resistant to letting Adoree Jackson skip spring practice and focus on track in an attempt to make the U.S. Olympic team. But the truth is many track experts agreed with him.

“He’s got a lot of work to do to get to that caliber of a jumper,” Sarkisian said last year. “If you’re not jumping 27 feet, you’re going to have hard time making the Olympic team.”

Jackson still has a month to go but needs to improve for a chance to make the U.S. Olympic trials. His winning Pac-12 jump Saturday (25 feet, 3.5 inches) would have finished fourth at the SEC championships and third at the Big West championships.

16 thoughts on “Steve Sarkisian’s Healthy Skepticism”

  1. Actually Sarkisian had Adoree’s back and it was one of the main reasons Jackson signed with USC.

    • Nobody is fooled by the Blogger putting words in Sark’s mouth. I just hope if Jackson isn’t ready to play in the first game that Helton won’t force the issue. I’d hate to lose the game on a missed assignment by Jackson.

      • On the one hand, I’m happy Adoree got his chance to chase a dream. On the other, I have a lot of unwanted memories of Christian McCaffrey flying by
        Jackson…. repeatedly (in other words, I don’t think he’s gonna be anywhere near ready for Alabama, Helen).

        • Adore and the entire defensive side were mismanaged last year.. Once Clancy has all his defensive pieces in place and all in sink with the 5-2 assignments, they will be good to go.

          • Man, I sure hope you’re right, Inside! (They didn’t look ready in the Spring game —but that may have been a function of Helton wanting the offense to get a chance to shine).

        • I think the advantage USC has going into the game in Dallas on 3rd September against AL is that Kiffin is and shall be totally petrified to lose to USC – this isn’t another usual patsy of a season opener for AL.

        • Oh I’m sure Jackson won’t be ready to go either. But will Helton make the right decision and start someone else on defense? I would get someone else ready to play CB and put jackson in exclusively on offense and special teams only for this game. He can pick up a half dozen offensive plays where most of the time he is going on instinct.

          • I’m not sure Clay is savvy enough to see the problem he’s created, Helen. But I can guarantee that Clancy is. The guy is installing a new defense and he hasn’t had 5 minutes with A.D. yet. Fall practice is just not gonna be enough time to get Adoree ready for what Alabama is going to throw at him if he plays (and if he does play, watch Kiffin attack and expose him).

          • Sark created the problem during the recruitment of Jackson when he promised he could take time off for the Olympics. I give Helton credit for keeping Sark’s word. Jackson just needs to understand he is not superman and has a learning curve when he returns.

          • Here’s how I look at it, Helen—-even in today’s world, it’s okay to tell somebody when they are barking up the wrong tree. As the often described ‘adult in the room’, Clay would have done Adoree a favor by telling him that you can’t have it all —-sometimes you have to make tough choices—for everybody’s good, including your own.
            Let’s agree, two pals that we are, to revisit this topic about 4 games deep in the season. I’m betting everything I just wrote will be clarified by that point.

      • Agree. Let’s hope he is at every summer workout going 1on1 with Juju like Iman Marshall.

  2. What did Helton have to lose by letting Adoree concentrate on track this spring? On the other hand, Adoree would have likely started powting had Helton not allowed him to skip spring practices. Jackson now only has himself and Sark (if he thinks more practice would have made the difference) to blame for not making the olympics. Win-win if you’re Helton.

  3. I commend Adoree for going after his Olympic dream & USC for giving him the opportunity. It was a long shot and it does not appear he will make the team. The history of sports is littered with athletes that pursued their dreams and overcame the odds and defied the naysayers. When Adorees athletic days are behind him he will be able to say he gave it his all. Successful people in all walks of life share the same trait. They are not afraid of falling as long as they know they put out the maximum effort in their quest for success. You go Adoree. I am hoping he catches lighting in a bottle & jumps for the Gold.

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