Ask Merckxe525 aka Dear Abby

[IrishSteelhead]

I stand corrected on the CFB vs NFL Suh. I cant imagine that he wasnt doing stuff in college if his character was as bad as publicized in the NFL but maybe they just covered it up or looked the other way because he was so dominant.

He wasn’t a bad person to my knowledge, just a violent player on the field, which is something to applaud.

What didn’t deserve applause was when he became a dirty player in the NFL.

We would probably speak of his career more romantically if he stayed within the Dick Butkus vein of violent/dirty, and didn’t go full heel.


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[Irish#1]

There used to be a time where the Heisman had a character component in it. Cannot imagine a monster like Suh winning that.

There was some kickback, so they removed the character component after they gave it to Manziel over Manti.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

With regard to if I'm too good to be true:

I've seen a number of posts in this thread implying that, or posting something like - "I mean no offense, but....".

Look, if my track record, and level of detail provided aren't sufficient at this point, I can certainly stop sharing, especially if there continues to be skepticism about what I'm sharing.

The vast majority of posters would like for you to continue sharing your knowledge with the board. We really, really appreciate your contributions. Please don’t let the opinions of a few assholes make your experiences here negative.

 

[Madmasher67]

Merck your post are greatly appreciated. I think anywhere you go there's always going to be skepticism and conspiracy theorist you keep doing you. I for one like Post with some meat to the bone and that's what you provide. I could really give a rats hairy hiney about restaurants and where to eat.😁😁

 

[SDIrishFan]

With regard to if I'm too good to be true:

I've seen a number of posts in this thread implying that, or posting something like - "I mean no offense, but....".

Look, if my track record, and level of detail provided aren't sufficient at this point, I can certainly stop sharing, especially if there continues to be skepticism about what I'm sharing.

I mean, if you could provide us with your name and job title, that would help.

Haha, kidding. That was a joke. I'll see myself out.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

The vast majority of posters would like for you to continue sharing your knowledge with the board. We really, really appreciate your contributions. Please don’t allow the opinions of a few assholes make your experiences here negative.

Ditto!

 

[Blazers46]

With regard to if I'm too good to be true:

I've seen a number of posts in this thread implying that, or posting something like - "I mean no offense, but....".

Look, if my track record, and level of detail provided aren't sufficient at this point, I can certainly stop sharing, especially if there continues to be skepticism about what I'm sharing.

I think people love anything ND football and some react to insider info or any info ND football related like they would be walking into the stadium for the first time… “I can’t believe it, this can’t be real” vibe as opposed to “da fuk is dis dude?”

Your info is well appreciated!!

 

[thekid33]

With regard to if I'm too good to be true:

I've seen a number of posts in this thread implying that, or posting something like - "I mean no offense, but....".

Look, if my track record, and level of detail provided aren't sufficient at this point, I can certainly stop sharing, especially if there continues to be skepticism about what I'm sharing.

You are the best thing to happen to this board in a long time. Perhaps the best thing to happen to it ever. We appreciate you ☘️ Unfortunately, there's a few people who always need to be haters.

 

[Irish5Saint]

For those of you who call bs on Merck: if he’s wrong, prove it then.

Otherwise, don’t be an ass to someone who’s going to give more insight about the team than any premium sites ever could.

 

[IrishWayDomer]

I might not even watch the games this fall. I might just spend that time organizing my questions for Mercke which is more entertaining than getting my heart broken.

"Mercke, did we win? Why?"

 

[GoIrish41]

Mercke,

Really enjoy your input. Keep it coming. The haters are gonna hate.

With a year in the system, have Cam Williams and Micah Gilbert earned enough trust from the coaches to get on the field this year?

It’s rough watching ND’s perceived WR recruiting mediocrity when they have legit talent cooling their heels on the sidelines. Seems like it could only help to see those guys playing to show recruits there is a viable path for them in this offense.

 

[Madmasher67]

I might not even watch the games this fall. I might just spend that time organizing my questions for Mercke which is more entertaining than getting my heart broken.

I don't even know you but I'm calling your bluff.🤣🤣

 

[BuaConstrictor]

With a year in the system, have Cam Williams and Micah Gilbert earned enough trust from the coaches to get on the field this year?

As we sit here on March 12th in the year of our Lord 2025.
Gilbert should see some rotational work at some point.
Cam is still likely a year away.

 

[GoIrish41]

As we sit here on March 12th in the year of our Lord 2025.
Gilbert should see some rotational work at some point.
Cam is still likely a year away.

Thanks, Bua. What is the issue with Cam?

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Thanks, Bua. What is the issue with Cam?

Just really raw. Going to take him some time.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Merck, Bua, thank you guys for your contributions to the board. The level of insight is amazing and answered a ton of questions I’ve had about the inner workings of the program. Just one piece of advice about this place. By all means, STAY OUT OF THE GAMEDAY THREADS!!

 

[Guyjin37]

To Merck, Bua: this has been touched upon a bit lately, but I want to explore it a bit more just because people around the beat seem to be low-key freaking out.

But is anybody in the Gug freaking out about Mike Brown’s recruiting so far? Has MF reached out to help him, or has anybody been assigned to assist? Everybody knows he’s a pretty good coach so I am not questioning that. I know he’s only been here a year, and that ND’s receiving game lately isn’t an easy sell, but beyond those it still seems that he isn’t quite reaching the level that a top-tier program demands in recruiting. ND has the money and has the W/L record to attract more and higher quality players, but it isn’t. And you don’t seem to see any panic publicly from the staff.

I know MF also demands a lot so I can’t reconcile the results with the message in my mind. What’s going on there, or what’s the plan? (Sorry if you’ve already explained this.)

 

[dublinirish]

He wasn’t a bad person to my knowledge, just a violent player on the field, which is something to applaud.

What didn’t deserve applause was when he became a dirty player in the NFL.

We would probably speak of his career more romantically if he stayed within the Dick Butkus vein of violent/dirty, and didn’t go full heel.


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He’s actually an analyst for NFL on British TV and he’s super charming and easy going on their coverage. Seems like a really chill dude IRL no idea why he was so manic on the field.


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[PANDFAN]

With regard to if I'm too good to be true:

I've seen a number of posts in this thread implying that, or posting something like - "I mean no offense, but....".

Look, if my track record, and level of detail provided aren't sufficient at this point, I can certainly stop sharing, especially if there continues to be skepticism about what I'm sharing.

They're the extreme minority, and huge reason why I don't post like years past or provide Intel from inside.. you're bringing heat and vast majority love it...

 

[Irish#1]

Merck,
Don’t let the bastards wear you down.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

There was some kickback, so they removed the character component after they gave it to Manziel over Manti.

Johnny Rodgers was convicted of robbing a gas station and was awarded the Heisman Trophy 2 years later despite having that on his record. I believe he got it expunged a few years back but I’d say character didn’t come into play in his voting and that was in1972.

 

[GoldenBoy3]

@Merck. First off thanks for everything. Secondly, with what confidence do you think ND wins a Natty in the next 5 years, if you do, what makes you think that? It’s hard thinking the Jeremiah Smiths and Ryan Williams are walking through the door?

 

[Calabrese's People]

Gents.... If Mike Brown's recruiting style was a character from Entourage, which would it be, and why would it be Johnny Drama?

 

[calvegas04]

Gents.... If Mike Brown's recruiting style was a character from Entourage, which would it be, and why would it be Johnny Drama?

 

[ThePiombino]

- Nobody is freaking out, but several are highly annoyed.

- As of today, Brown is unlikely to be retained at the end of this coming season. That can of course change, but that’s how he’s viewed at this moment.

- The recruiting department has, and will be assisting heavily with WR recruiting the rest of this year.

@Merckxe525 @BuaConstrictor Why didn't we hire JaMarcus Shepard when we had the chance?

 

[Irish5Saint]

Merck/Bua as of right now what do you think Markus Burton and Tae Davis do now that the season is over?

 

[Calabrese's People]

The first time, a coach no longer with the program preferred other options.

The second time, he was already making top of range salary, and had an additional title we couldn’t provide him with.

And the third time........?

 

[rtrn2glory]

I really liked Brown before he got here.. What in your guys opinion is the issue with recruiting and development? Is it more one than the other that makes this a make or break year for him?

 

[forkbeard3777]

Here’s another one for y’all…

I’m sure you’re aware of USC Athletic Director, Jennifer Cohen’s, recent remarks concerning the Notre Dame - USC rivalry, specifically:

"I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: In an ideal world, we’re going to keep playing each other. With that being said, the landscape has changed dramatically. We’re now playing in a conference where we fly back and forth across the country every other week, and CFP expansion and how you get access to the CFP and how things are seeded and selected. Those, to me, are important, unanswered questions. So we remain in conversations with Notre Dame about the series. I think we’re clear to each other (that) we’re going to continue to evaluate what’s best, and it’s my job to evaluate what’s best for our student-athletes and our program. As we keep doing that, we’re excited to go back to South Bend next year."

So, getting to the point, she (and USC) are cowards and she’s doing her damnedest to get out a 100 year old rivalry. Sadly, we’ve seen this before (Texas - Texas A&M for a bit, Nebraska - Oklahoma, Kansas - Mizzou, Oklahoma - Oklahoma State and so on). As such, Notre Dame - USC isn’t immune to this and given her comments, I’d bet that the series will be coming to an end, or it at least won’t be played annually, in the future.

What’s Notre Dame’s stance on this? Have they pitched any alternatives to USC? Playing every other year for example or a home and home then a neutral spot on the third year? Are they looking at other alternatives to fill that slot and just let the rivalry wither?

I really am growing to dislike today’s CFB …..

 

[AKRowdy]

Merke, do you see Vernon developing into a valuable asset on the DL? Or is he still some time away from contributing. Been pulling for him since he committed.