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4 things we’ll definitely see in Bleacher Report’s new ND series

By Greg Hadley

Apr 16, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish take the field for the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish take the field for the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Alize Jones (10) is unable to make a diving catch against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Alize Jones (10) is unable to make a diving catch against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Awkwardly avoiding talk of suspensions and/or scandals

This is Notre Dame football. This is Brian Kelly. Unfortunately, there will almost certainly be controversies, scandals and/or suspensions throughout the course of the season. That’s just how things go.

I’m not all that interested in talking about why that is, at least in this article, but it’s undeniable that it happens, and when it does, I fully expect Bleacher Report to gloss over the subject pretty much completely, unless they can spin it as an overcoming adversity thing.

The reason for that is pretty obvious: Bleacher Report is in the business of entertainment, not journalism, when it comes to Notre Dame. That’s not entirely a bad thing. Bleacher Report is getting unparalleled access, and in exchange for that, Notre Dame can dictate coverage. Everyone gets something and gives up something in return, and we, the public, benefit from seeing more about the program.

Next: Notre Dame Football: Quick hits from media day

But that’s only as long as we maintain a clear-eyed view of what this partnership doesn’t want to talk about. A great example of that right away will be how Bleacher Report handles the Alize Jones suspension, especially as he will still be on the roster and practicing. Jones could have been a possible star and focus of this semi-series. Instead, BR will almost certainly not press for details on why he got suspended. It is what it is.

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