Ask Merckxe525 aka Dear Abby

[stlnd01]

I think most football players would say they needed 12+ months to feel like themselves after a serious leg injury. I'm more optimistic Botelho will be ready to be a difference maker at the start of the season. We'll see how much they participate in fall camp

Botelho’s injury was significantly worse. I think Traore said at one of the bowl game pressers that he thought he’d be back at full strength for fall camp, fwiw.
But yes, we’ll see on both.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Bothelho got injured Week 3, Traore Week 5. If they aren't ready to go for the opening of the season, something has gone terribly wrong.

Spoon beat me to it but Bothelho’s injury (patellar tear) was severe enough to be a much longer rehab. I could see Traore being back but I could also see him having to ease into the season where, of course; fans will complain that he’s still not 100%.

 

[DillonHall]

Botelho’s injury was significantly worse. I think Traore said at one of the bowl game pressers that he thought he’d be back at full strength for fall camp, fwiw.
But yes, we’ll see on both.

My opinion was based on what Jordan said in late December. Hopefully he wasn't being overly optimistic, but he said “I think by summer conditioning, I’ll be full-go,” stated Botelho. “I’ll be able to do fall camp. I’ll take it slow and make sure my leg is healed over the spring.”

Notre Dame DE Jordan Botelho Focused on Rehab, Excited for 2025

 

[jprue24]

He had a torn hip labrum. Pretty sure he needed season ending surgery.

I'm asking about a second hip surgery, not the scope to fix the tear and ended his season.

I know exactly what's involved with tearing a hip labrum and he is at the point where he should only be concerned with impact.

 

[BigHossBU]

Did Chad Bowden have anything to do with that garbage six flags song playing every third down stop? Can we expect that to change next year?

 

[IrishFanForever23]

I'm asking about a second hip surgery, not the scope to fix the tear and ended his season.

I know exactly what's involved with tearing a hip labrum and he is at the point where he should only be concerned with impact.

He had hip issues in high school and thought he had surgery once during that time.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

No. That is a choice the video board crew as a whole. From what I've heard, there will be tweaks over the coming year, but I'm not sure if that particular piece will be removed as of now.

They need to lean into the Dune piece. I love that.

 

[ab2cmiller]

I get why many want to get rid of the six flags song as it may be getting tired. I still like it though.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I get why many want to get rid of the six flags song as it may be getting tired. I still like it though.

It has a Euro-club feel to it @PolishDomer.
I think if it wasn't tied to the old man in a bus commercial, it wouldn't be as hated.

 

[PolishDomer]

It has a Euro-club feel to it @PolishDomer.
I think if it wasn't tied to the old man in a bus commercial, it wouldn't be as hated.

Vengaboys, eurodance group..highlight of my clubbing days in 90s, 2000s...

 

[irishu]

Is this the "dune" song you all keep saying the stadium plays? I haven't heard a dune song, but I've heard them start playing the instrumental of Carnival

 

[Dale]

Is this the "dune" song you all keep saying the stadium plays? I haven't heard a dune song, but I've heard them start playing the instrumental of Carnival

 

[irishu]

Lmao sounds like Eric Cartman

 

[hungryhippo]

Hey Merck,

What changes can we expect across the scouting/recruiting/portal/NIL with Martin in place?

What are top priorities as he steps into the role?

In the same way that you ID’d what kinds of traits Freeman & co are looking for in recruits, what traits are being prioritized in the new analyst/scouting department hires?

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Is this the "dune" song you all keep saying the stadium plays? I haven't heard a dune song, but I've heard them start playing the instrumental of Carnival

This

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

This

Lol thats terrible. Please no

 

[Dale]

They already play it lol

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Lol thats terrible. Please no

They already play it. I love it. Haha.

 

[PolishDomer]

I honestly thought you enjoyed techno lol

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

They used to play "American Land" by the Boss a few seasons ago.
I always dug it.

 

[jprue24]

Correct. My apologies, I didn't get on the site much the past 2 days.

I don't think you need to apologize.

Changes:

- Across the larger department, there will be more clear, carved out roles for all employees.

- There will be clearly defined regional teams that will focus on specific areas of the country.

- Scouting will be run in an NFL-like style.

- There will be a dedicated NIL team that will coordinate with the collectives on all current roster, recruits, and portal additions, as it applies to offers/contracts/payments.

- The department as a whole will be larger.

- A clearer focus, and approach, has/will continue to develop as it applies to high school NIL.

Priorities:

- Scouting

- Offers

- Roster Retention

- NIL funding focus

- Identifying early portal targets

Traits:

- Socio-economic cross relational flexibility

- Interpersonal skills

- Attention to detail

- Punctuality

- Ability to quickly adapt

- Ability to close

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

They already play it lol

Sorry i was more directing that to whoever said they should do more of it.

 

[NDShark]

Lol thats terrible. Please no

As a Dune fan, I respectfully disagree

 

[OKCDomer23]

Changes:

- Across the larger department, there will be more clear, carved out roles for all employees.

- There will be clearly defined regional teams that will focus on specific areas of the country.

- Scouting will be run in an NFL-like style.

- There will be a dedicated NIL team that will coordinate with the collectives on all current roster, recruits, and portal additions, as it applies to offers/contracts/payments.

- The department as a whole will be larger.

- A clearer focus, and approach, has/will continue to develop as it applies to high school NIL.

Priorities:

- Scouting

- Offers

- Roster Retention

- NIL funding focus

- Identifying early portal targets

Traits:

- Socio-economic cross relational flexibility

- Interpersonal skills

- Attention to detail

- Punctuality

- Ability to quickly adapt

- Ability to close

These changes sound perfect. Honestly feel these are the changes ND needs to win a title going forward. Know they made the title game last year, but Ohio St was clearly the more talented team overall. This bridges the gap bigtime and can put us in the top echelon. Bevacqua and ND seem serious about winning a title. Love this update.

 

[Hautian Domer]

@Merckxe525, is there a general consensus amongst Freeman and staff that’s the biggest hurdle to holding Notre Dame football back? Said differently, what’s the biggest challenge or inhibitor from getting us from third base to home?

- Academics / Admissions?
- Facilities?
- Notre Dame’s unique campus culture that vastly differs from state schools and party schools?
- Women / Coeds within the tri-campus area?
- Living in South Bend?
- Indiana’s lack of homegrown talent for recruiting?
- The way we go about NIL?
- The emphasis and importance ND places on academics (meaning, you have to go to class and cannot major in basket weaving)?
- Is there a department that’s been behind other premier / championship programs (strength and conditioning, nutrition for example)

 

[NDohio]

This program just played for a national championship in Marcus Freeman's 3rd year as a head coach, and is being built to do so regularly moving forward; so, I remain a bit surprised that so many people are under the impression that so much still needs to be changed/is still holding Notre Dame back.

Say this louder for the people in the back row...

 

[NDPhilly]

Changes:


Traits:

- Socio-economic cross relational flexibility

Chad Bowden attempting to be Socio-economically cross relational and flexible.

 

[Hautian Domer]

Generally speaking:

- The majority of these perceived issues have already been addressed, and tweaked.

- NIL, while already addressed, will continue to evolve.

- Admissions for high school, and portal recruits has already been addressed, but like NIL, will evolve further.

- Notre Dame's focus on academics will always eliminate it in some recruit's minds, and that's even more the case now.

- None of the other listed topics are significant roadblocks.

Overall - and I've mentioned this on numerous occasions - while the program will continue to evolve, there are no longer any remaining roadblocks significant enough to stop Notre Dame from competing, and winning a national championship.

I'm not saying this to you, but generally:

This program just played for a national championship in Marcus Freeman's 3rd year as a head coach, and is being built to do so regularly moving forward; so, I remain a bit surprised that so many people are under the impression that so much still needs to be changed/is still holding Notre Dame back.

I understand that, but it was readily apparent, in my humble opinion, that Ohio State was clearly the better team with the more talented roster. Sure, we had key injuries, but so did Ohio State. I credit the team for fighting back and making it interesting, but Ohio State let off the gas...While I think we’re better than all the other Playoff teams (Texas and Oregon would have been interesting games) and were firmly the second best team, there was just a considerable gap between us and the champion (just like in 2012, 2018, 2020). That’s why I asked what was the biggest challenge to getting us off third and sliding into home plate. We’re close…very close…considerably more than in the past 30 years.

 

[Hautian Domer]

I feel it's important to note that to produce that roster, Ohio State ran a $35+ million dollar deficit. In many ways, Ohio State's roster this past year, may be the last of the "super teams".

Agree completely. They bought and paid for that championship

 

[Katzenboyer]

Hey Merck - what's the overall feeling on Loren Landow? I know a lot of us were worked up about injuries (many of which most likely weren't his fault), but I'm moreso talking about the culture/toughness aspect and how the players view him.

I know Balis was beloved by the team, and I was wondering whether the players feel the same way about Landow. Any details you can share on that, and what some of the structural differences are between his program and Balis's?