Ask Merckxe525 aka Dear Abby

[BuaConstrictor]

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.

For better or worse..I never really hear a word about Vernon. He had to come in and reshape his body and if he's going to make a move...it needs to be this year.

Not many people know what to make of him. He's too light to play inside. Can he become a viable SDE option? The sense that I get is that if he makes a move and it clicks..not many will have seen it coming. He works his ass off though.

 

[NDPhilly]

Vernon was at one point a consensus 5 star that we stole from OSU’s backyard. What a fall off.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

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.)

I've somewhat alluded to this earlier but I think fans need to understand this....

The Gug doesn't really "freak out". Successful programs aren't run by people that hit the ceiling about stuff like this. As Big Merkxe pointed out, yeah there is some annoyance/"concern" about it but the coaches don't have the temperament of fans (Thank God). Freeman and staff ID problems and fix them. It can be cold and robotic, but it's the way you have to operate. This team lost to NIU and while the mood around the Gug was "tense" the staff just got back to work. Good and great coaches are just built differently mentally and emotionally. If the staff was panicking publicly, that'd be a bad sign.

Think about this, BK left ND basically in the dead of night out of nowhere (kind of) and ND reacted and had a new coach in what?..48 hours..72 if we count waiting for official word...and some of that delay was because Fr. Jenkins was overseas.

Freeman also doesn't need to "reach out". They work together. Every day. Freeman is involved with every coach and their recruiting. Freeman isn't popping by Brown's office like Lumbergh in Office Space out of nowhere. He's involved every day.

 

[JD Irish]

- 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.

If his recruiting/performance is such that he isn't likely to be retained in a year, why is he still on the staff now?

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Regarding KK Smith…what are his expectations? Poor kid has had back-to-back shoulder injuries so seeing the field has been a challenge. I believe he’s a junior this season which is hard to imagine. Hoping the best for him.

 

[NDFAN2008]

People want to blame Brown but once again how much of the blame lies on him? Chansi came in has a highly regarded WR coach listed in the top 10 at one point. We haven't had a QB who can throw it all over the field since who knows when and we have been a run first team for awhile now. Take that and 95% of your top 20 WR's are either from Cali, Florida, Texas or SEC country (LSU, Georgia, Bama) how are you going to convince these 5 star highly 4 star guys to come here when there's nothing to sell to them? Looking at the top 20 WR's last year 1 is going to TCU, 1 Stanford, 1 Michigan, 1 Ohio State, 1 Oregon, the rest are all going to SEC schools. It's not like brown can go to Chris Henry and be like we are going to start you as Freshman and you will get 10 touches a game because that's a flat out lie. We gotta give Brown some leeway here.

 

[Bantry19]

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:


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 …..

It’s almost like chasing the almighty dollar at all costs is a dumb thing to do

 

[FDNYIrish1]

People want to blame Brown but once again how much of the blame lies on him? Chansi came in has a highly regarded WR coach listed in the top 10 at one point. We haven't had a QB who can throw it all over the field since who knows when and we have been a run first team for awhile now. Take that and 95% of your top 20 WR's are either from Cali, Florida, Texas or SEC country (LSU, Georgia, Bama) how are you going to convince these 5 star highly 4 star guys to come here when there's nothing to sell to them? Looking at the top 20 WR's last year 1 is going to TCU, 1 Stanford, 1 Michigan, 1 Ohio State, 1 Oregon, the rest are all going to SEC schools. It's not like brown can go to Chris Henry and be like we are going to start you as Freshman and you will get 10 touches a game because that's a flat out lie. We gotta give Brown some leeway here.

I think you’ve been hacked. This is actually a common sense take.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

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:


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 …..

I don’t see this rivalry lasting much longer. ND will replace it with Clemson when SC bails out.

 

[forkbeard3777]

I don’t see this rivalry lasting much longer. ND will replace it with Clemson when SC bails out.

I’m probably out of the loop, but has that been discussed (SC - Clemson ending)? That’s an extremely heated and underrated rivalry and I’ve not read nor heard anything about that rivalry ending. Truthfully, your post is the first I’ve ever read of that happening.

 

[JD Irish]

I’m probably out of the loop, but has that been discussed (SC - Clemson ending)? That’s an extremely heated and underrated rivalry and I’ve not read nor heard anything about that rivalry ending. Truthfully, your post is the first I’ve ever read of that happening.

He is saying ND will replace the USC game with Clemson when USC cancels its series with ND.

Which, of course, would be horrible. Replace an annual rivalry game lasting 100 years for a game with a team we've played 8 times, almost all of which as a result of our bizarre ACC alignment. The games with Clemson have been really good, and it is good if we replace some of the random ACC games against Virginia/NC State/Wake Forest with Miami/Florida State/Clemson.

But we need the annual USC game to continue. I really hope we can make that happen.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Re: USC overall the doomsday scenario is us seeing USC every other season but within ND there isn't concern over losing the USC series or any major changes in the foreseeable future.

 

[NDdomer2]

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

At what point did recruiting department get heavily involved?

 

[Irish#1]

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.

I had forgotten about him. It had been part of the Heisman criteria forever, but didn't seem to matter. I'm guessing the kickback they got with Manziel was considerably bigger due to the availability of social media and email to the public. It also didn't help the foundation that the runner up played for a school that has a large national following.

 

[FireJeffQuinn]

Merck/Bua:

What led to Stuckey's departure? I understand it had much more to do with relational issues than his unit's on-the-field performance.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Merck/Bua:

What led to Stuckey's departure? I understand it had much more to do with relational issues than his unit's on-the-field performance.

https://www.irishenvy.com/threads/ask-merckxe525-aka-dear-abby.3051512/page-28#post-3458683

 

[FireJeffQuinn]

https://www.irishenvy.com/threads/ask-merckxe525-aka-dear-abby.3051512/page-28#post-3458683

I somehow missed that one. Thank you.

 

[IrishWayDomer]

We should organize our questions to Mercke ahead of posting in this thread. Every day in a pre-Mercke thread we create, we compile a list of member questions, stack order them on priority, and then ask him in one post on the Mercke thread (this thread).

This would save him tons of scrolling/responding time and probably keep him interested in feeding us peasants a bit longer lol.

 

[Dale]

Gonna need FAQs on the front page:

“What did Davonte do?”

Link: post #433

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I’m probably out of the loop, but has that been discussed (SC - Clemson ending)? That’s an extremely heated and underrated rivalry and I’ve not read nor heard anything about that rivalry ending. Truthfully, your post is the first I’ve ever read of that happening.

just speculation

 

[HouseofPain]

The games with Clemson have been really good, and it is good if we replace some of the random ACC games against Virginia/NC State/Wake Forest with Miami/Florida State

So I’m guessing NC contention isn’t your goal? You just replaced three easier teams with traditionally more challenging teams. This is exactly what every NC minded/competitive team is NOT doing.

 

[dublinirish]

got a q, who was perceived as the better coach/asset to ND: Laurinaitis or Bullough?

 

[forkbeard3777]

He is saying ND will replace the USC game with Clemson when USC cancels its series with ND.

Which, of course, would be horrible. Replace an annual rivalry game lasting 100 years for a game with a team we've played 8 times, almost all of which as a result of our bizarre ACC alignment. The games with Clemson have been really good, and it is good if we replace some of the random ACC games against Virginia/NC State/Wake Forest with Miami/Florida State/Clemson.

But we need the annual USC game to continue. I really hope we can make that happen.

Makes perfect sense. Mea culpa

 

[Irish#1]

We should organize our questions to Mercke ahead of posting in this thread. Every day in a pre-Mercke thread we create, we compile a list of member questions, stack order them on priority, and then ask him in one post on the Mercke thread (this thread).

This would save him tons of scrolling/responding time and probably keep him interested in feeding us peasants a bit longer lol.

That sounds like a lot of work for someone. I volunteer you!

 

[SDIrishFan]

We should organize our questions to Mercke ahead of posting in this thread. Every day in a pre-Mercke thread we create, we compile a list of member questions, stack order them on priority, and then ask him in one post on the Mercke thread (this thread).

This would save him tons of scrolling/responding time and probably keep him interested in feeding us peasants a bit longer lol.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

A request:

I have a limited time each day to scroll through, and answer your questions.

We’ve reached a point where I’m being asked many of the same questions 2-3 times.

I would appreciate, when possible, if you’d scroll through the thread first before asking your questions moving forward.

Thank you,

Merckx

I'm shocked these ungrateful turds aren't already doing this.

 

[notredomer23]

Not to put anyone down on this board, but really think there needs to be a twice a week mailbag of sorts vetted by a mod/respected poster and posted here. A lot of repetitive stuff and other things being asked that are easily found with a Google search or using the search bar on Irishenvy. It's not a knock on anyone, but we're very lucky to have Mercke and Bua here. Let's not mess that up with repetition or lazy questions.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

A request:

I have a limited amount of time each day to scroll through, and answer your questions.

We’ve reached a point where I’m being asked many of the same questions 2-3 times.

I would appreciate, when possible, if you’d scroll through the thread first before asking your questions moving forward.

Thank you,

Merckx

What IS the deal with airline peanuts?

 

[BuaConstrictor]

- He played favorites, and alienated nearly half the WRs he was coaching.

- His drills, coaching, and weekly preparation were all below core competency.

- He was actively looking at other jobs during the season, and had mentioned that to multiple players.

There are a few other factors that aren’t publicly known, which I’m not comfortable sharing. (No, not the rumor many have thrown around)

Will add, and I alluded to this in my previous response on the topic..but when Parker was floundering(drowning) and Gino was told to step in to help with playcalling, Stuckey was asshurt that he wasn't given input or even asked to assist with playcalling....even though he had no experience with it.

Frankly, he was an asshole about it to the point that he and Gino had something just below a shouting match (call it a "spirited argument") at a practice.

Stuckey was a nice enough guy in a lot of respects but Dabo had pumped him up so much to other coaches..and Stuckey himself..that I think he got way too big of a head as a result and it caused problems.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

What IS the deal with airline peanuts?

It seems like now the airlines have switched to more to tiny bags pretzels……really spoiling us.