As my crickets know, I like and learn a lot from NFL Radio analysts Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwin. But here we go again with these guys being too bored and cynical about a 4-12 team to do pay any attention to them...or even think about them.
In response to a caller question, Pat Ryan said he thought that the the Browns trade of a second round 2013 pick for Josh Gordon in the supplemental draft was a "panic" move.
Oh please! They first saw him when they scouted Phil Taylor. They know of him through Jordon Norwood's father, and they've been checking him out for over two years.
I'm not done. It's a 2013 pick, and they don't worry about whether or not he'll do much in 2012.
Later, Pat Kirwin, valiantly trying to snap himself out of the doze brought on by the subject of the Browns, did acknowlege that if Heckert and company had agreed with others that WR was an urgent need, they could have signed the venerable and stately Plaxico Burress, or another veteran free agent.
While Pat went back to sleep until the Browns talk was over, Ryan went on to some more analysis of the Browns prospects.
He said that it remained to be seen how Brian Weeden would react to getting the crap beat out of him by the Stoolers, Ratbirds, and (yes) Bungles defenses. Weeden didn't take much heat during his college carreer, and this is a whole different ballgame.
Fair enough, but here again, another ex-player erred on the glass half-empty side because he didn't want to think about it.
1: The two college coaches who described how they beat Brian Weeden's team by getting in his face failed to mention that he threw for around 900 yards in the two losses. I kind of hope the aforementioned AFC North teams have similar success against him.
2: This offense will be run-oriented and center on Trent Richardson, not Weeden. Weeden's college offense was all Weeden.
3: This is a timing offense that will get the ball out of Weeden's hands quickly, and Weeden is well-suited to it.
4: This offense will probably go shotgun on most probable passing downs.
5: This offensive line and these tight ends will be among the best in the NFL.
So while Tim makes a valid point about Weeden getting knocked around by his AFC North rivals, he seemed to expect failure--because he didn't want to think about all those other factors.
I understand cynicism about the Browns from the fans, who apparantly don't know Tom Heckert from Butch Davis, or Pat Shurmer from Eric Mangini. But it really ticks me off when these smart, insightful, legitimate experts act just as ignorant.
They also stated flatly that the Browns don't have a number one reciever. I'm telling you and them now that Gregg Little can be a number one. He's as a fast as Braylon Edwards, is actually trying, and he didn't have a strong-armed quarterback to hit him deep in 2011.
This is MM stuff. Guy converts from running back, doesn't play a year in college, comes in raw with no offseason and catches 62 passes, and these guys yawn.
Anyway, even if Little's speed weren't massively underrated, and the Browns don't have a number one...do you mean that between Mitchell and Gordon they won't have one?
No--they haven't thought that far ahead. They don't care. When can we change the subject? How bout them Cardinals?
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Memorex Morons
Former star NY Giant wide reciever Armani Tumor was a great player, and is now starting a new carreer as an analyst on Sirius/XM NFL Radio.
Recently, when answering the question about which quarterback he would choose if building a franchise from scratch, this favorite target of Eli Manning pointed out that statisticly, Tony Romo would be a good candidate.
He then backed it up, as well as any lawyer could, with records and statistics. This guy had to know that the majority of Dallas fans would call him an idiot, that scaffolds with ropes would be built in New York with his name on them, and that Eli would feel hurt. But he said it anyway.
I respect the hell out of that! It's rare that any guy in that profession will tell the truth as he sees it, and damn the torpedos.
HOWEVER, like Rich Gannon when he started as an analyst (and to this day to a lesser degree), Armani is lazy.
Any idiot can focus on the best teams from the previous season. They're the ones being talked about by everybody. We have in our reptilian brains the instinct to chase winners, which is why some frontrunners grew up in Cleveland and became Steeler fans because that's who won the first Superbowl they watched.
It's a mindless instnct, which fortunately most of us override as our cerebral cortex gets more involved and we start actually thinking.
Armani doesn't know about any of the teams that won fewer than six or so games last season (unless they have a star quarterback, of course). Maybe he thinks it's just too boring to do any research on them whatsoever, or too early to force himself into that agonizing task. I mean, there are 32 whole teams, man! What is the guy supposed to do, read about all of them, or something?
Jim Miller, Armani's broadcast partner, asked Armani what he thought of the Browns' trading their '13 second round pick to draft Josh Gordon in the supplemental draft.
Armani started this "I don't know--" stuff, and rambling into how the Browns don't have anybody who could scare a defense into keeping a safety back.
Miller is sharp, and threw Armani a rope. He sort of restated the question, but mentioned Weeden, and then started providing Armani with names like Little, Cribbs, Massequoi. Miller paused here to say that Massequoi was beat up last season, and he didn't know if he was more than a possession reciever---
Armani siezed on this to escape, saying that recievers all really hated to be called "possession" guys. He was on his way to getting away from the conversation entirely, but Miller persisted.
Armani repeated the no deep threat stuff, and said that defenses would use man coverage on them a lot, which as a reciever you want, but, but, but, but........
Miller mentioned Weeden for a reason. Weeden can and will stab deeper than McCoy did. He mentioned Gordon in the first place because Gordon is a deep threat. He didn't get around to Norwood or Benjamin, but they are deep threats. I doubt Miller pays much attention to Mitchell, but there's another deep threat.
Armani kept digging. He pointed out that normally when you build a team the wide recievers come last, and are sort of the icing on the cake. You get the offensive line (check) first, then the running backs (check), then the tight ends (check), and then..."I just don't know if these recievers are going to do anything anytime soon", and I'm wondering why he said all that stuff.
Not really. When you now nothing about something, you change the subject, and get general, and say as little as possible, using as many words as possible.
And no, Armani never said anything at all about Josh Gordon, because he knew absolutely nothing about him, too.
When Jim Brown said he thought Trent Richardson was "ordinary", I thought it was insane, but was sure that JB wouldn't say such a thing unless he'd watched him on tape. That's cool. But Armani just sort of brushed the Cleveland Browns off without a trial.
Armani, next time just say "The dog ate my homework", ok?
But it went on! Now Miller and Tumor are trying to name ten potential breakout recievers, and Gregg Little was never mentioned. (Well, Miller did mention him. They mentioned another reciever who had had some drops, and Miller asked Tumor if the dropsies couldn't be fixed--mentioning Little in this context).
Armani said yes absolutely, just extra time on the jugs machine. I was thinking that now that Little's name had come up, he couldn't be overlooked, but I was wrong.
Now listen: Armani had said that the Browns' recievers would see a lot of man coverage, without safety support. Miller had mentioned Brandon Weeden. Last season with a weak running game and McCoy at quarterback, and as a raw rookie, Little caught one fewer pass than AJ Green, and ranked high in total yardage.
This season defenses will have to face Trent Richardson, Little has lost eleven pounds, Weeden can put the ball anywhere, and Armani himself had said that dropped passes can be fixed.
It seems rediculous not to include Gregg Little near the TOP of any list of potential breakout wide recievers.
I think that if Jim Miller read this, he'd say "wow--good points!", and might well decide to list him. I think if Armani read this, he'd say "I don't know. It's just that--it's like-----"
Well, I don't hate these guys at all. Rich Gannon always catches up to the bad teams by preseason, and I hope Armani will too.
But the Little thing--now that's just plain ignorant.
Recently, when answering the question about which quarterback he would choose if building a franchise from scratch, this favorite target of Eli Manning pointed out that statisticly, Tony Romo would be a good candidate.
He then backed it up, as well as any lawyer could, with records and statistics. This guy had to know that the majority of Dallas fans would call him an idiot, that scaffolds with ropes would be built in New York with his name on them, and that Eli would feel hurt. But he said it anyway.
I respect the hell out of that! It's rare that any guy in that profession will tell the truth as he sees it, and damn the torpedos.
HOWEVER, like Rich Gannon when he started as an analyst (and to this day to a lesser degree), Armani is lazy.
Any idiot can focus on the best teams from the previous season. They're the ones being talked about by everybody. We have in our reptilian brains the instinct to chase winners, which is why some frontrunners grew up in Cleveland and became Steeler fans because that's who won the first Superbowl they watched.
It's a mindless instnct, which fortunately most of us override as our cerebral cortex gets more involved and we start actually thinking.
Armani doesn't know about any of the teams that won fewer than six or so games last season (unless they have a star quarterback, of course). Maybe he thinks it's just too boring to do any research on them whatsoever, or too early to force himself into that agonizing task. I mean, there are 32 whole teams, man! What is the guy supposed to do, read about all of them, or something?
Jim Miller, Armani's broadcast partner, asked Armani what he thought of the Browns' trading their '13 second round pick to draft Josh Gordon in the supplemental draft.
Armani started this "I don't know--" stuff, and rambling into how the Browns don't have anybody who could scare a defense into keeping a safety back.
Miller is sharp, and threw Armani a rope. He sort of restated the question, but mentioned Weeden, and then started providing Armani with names like Little, Cribbs, Massequoi. Miller paused here to say that Massequoi was beat up last season, and he didn't know if he was more than a possession reciever---
Armani siezed on this to escape, saying that recievers all really hated to be called "possession" guys. He was on his way to getting away from the conversation entirely, but Miller persisted.
Armani repeated the no deep threat stuff, and said that defenses would use man coverage on them a lot, which as a reciever you want, but, but, but, but........
Miller mentioned Weeden for a reason. Weeden can and will stab deeper than McCoy did. He mentioned Gordon in the first place because Gordon is a deep threat. He didn't get around to Norwood or Benjamin, but they are deep threats. I doubt Miller pays much attention to Mitchell, but there's another deep threat.
Armani kept digging. He pointed out that normally when you build a team the wide recievers come last, and are sort of the icing on the cake. You get the offensive line (check) first, then the running backs (check), then the tight ends (check), and then..."I just don't know if these recievers are going to do anything anytime soon", and I'm wondering why he said all that stuff.
Not really. When you now nothing about something, you change the subject, and get general, and say as little as possible, using as many words as possible.
And no, Armani never said anything at all about Josh Gordon, because he knew absolutely nothing about him, too.
When Jim Brown said he thought Trent Richardson was "ordinary", I thought it was insane, but was sure that JB wouldn't say such a thing unless he'd watched him on tape. That's cool. But Armani just sort of brushed the Cleveland Browns off without a trial.
Armani, next time just say "The dog ate my homework", ok?
But it went on! Now Miller and Tumor are trying to name ten potential breakout recievers, and Gregg Little was never mentioned. (Well, Miller did mention him. They mentioned another reciever who had had some drops, and Miller asked Tumor if the dropsies couldn't be fixed--mentioning Little in this context).
Armani said yes absolutely, just extra time on the jugs machine. I was thinking that now that Little's name had come up, he couldn't be overlooked, but I was wrong.
Now listen: Armani had said that the Browns' recievers would see a lot of man coverage, without safety support. Miller had mentioned Brandon Weeden. Last season with a weak running game and McCoy at quarterback, and as a raw rookie, Little caught one fewer pass than AJ Green, and ranked high in total yardage.
This season defenses will have to face Trent Richardson, Little has lost eleven pounds, Weeden can put the ball anywhere, and Armani himself had said that dropped passes can be fixed.
It seems rediculous not to include Gregg Little near the TOP of any list of potential breakout wide recievers.
I think that if Jim Miller read this, he'd say "wow--good points!", and might well decide to list him. I think if Armani read this, he'd say "I don't know. It's just that--it's like-----"
Well, I don't hate these guys at all. Rich Gannon always catches up to the bad teams by preseason, and I hope Armani will too.
But the Little thing--now that's just plain ignorant.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Josh Gordon
I'm glad I didn't have time to blog heading into the supplemental draft, because I would have said...err ehh....that they would use a second round pick to nab Josh Gordon! Yeah, that's the ticket!
And....and that Gordon was WORTH a 2013 second-round pick! Yeah, that's what I would have said!
Nah. Ok but now that it's done, I'm bothered by a lot of the comments I read. "Great move!" "Finally, a wide reciever!"
NONE of these people knows anything ABOUT Josh Gordon!
I'm not saying the guy won't be great. I still have faith in Heckert and company, and their judgement. You can't teach big hands, speed, or size, and this dude sure has those. So did Mitchell...except Mitchell wasn't a Heckert pick, and was even more raw.
Gordon is indeed raw, but after his solid season with RG3 at Baylor, he did practice the whole season with Utah. This means he's been running routes vs. defensive backs. He's now worked in two different systems.
Sure, he'll immediately challenge to start opposite Little, but probably won't. He hasn't been here for anything yet. Hasn't even seen the playbook yet. Maybe never heard of a West Coast route tree. The West Coast is the most complex system for a wide reciever to learn. No ad-libbing; there's only one correct read, and if you blow it there's a good chance it's a pick, because the ball was in the air before you made the wrong move, or didn't make the right one.
If you expect him to come right in and change everything in 2012, you should wake up. This was a longer-term move. He may be worked in gradually through the season, playing more and more, and might even be making a splash in the second half--or not.
Even if Mitchell emerges, along with one or two of the other non-Little guys, and push Gordon off the active roster in 2012, it hardly matters (if they're right).
He wouldn't have been drafted until 2013 anyway, and most legit experts agree that he'd have a good shot at being the first or second wide reciever drafted, maybe high in the first round.
Heckert just put the same guy on this NFL team, in this offensive system, a year early. In 2013, he'll be better than he would have been after another season in college! AND, on a second-round contract!!!
I've only been able to see Gordon make two plays on film. One was a little insta-dumpoff to him at the line of scrimmage that he took 97 yards for a TD. What shocked me about that is that he was pulling away from all the defenders with each stride. His 40 time is good for his size, but I'll bet his 100-time is microscopic.
DB's in the NFL are faster, of course, but I really doubt that many could catch him if he got behind them. I mean, their legs are simply too short.
The other touchdown was a bomb from RG3. Here, he was around three yards ahead of the DB, who had no shot.
Mitchell never had a season like this guy had with Baylor and RG3. The year before last, Gordon really proved something against elite competition, and now he's practiced with Utah for another season, so he's not at all as raw and unproven as Mitchell was when he was drafted (not by Heckert).
He also sounds pretty smart in his interviews. And the mary jane stuff? Big deal!
And hey, of he steps right in and surprises me by making an impact right away, that's great! I mean, they can instantly use him situationally and say "just go to that corner of the end zone period". Just scare this free safety and pull this cornerback over there so they stay out of the way.
I'm not counting Mitchell out, either. This doesn't mean there's not room for two of those guys.
Hell, now they've got TOO many wide recievers!
Wow.
And....and that Gordon was WORTH a 2013 second-round pick! Yeah, that's what I would have said!
Nah. Ok but now that it's done, I'm bothered by a lot of the comments I read. "Great move!" "Finally, a wide reciever!"
NONE of these people knows anything ABOUT Josh Gordon!
I'm not saying the guy won't be great. I still have faith in Heckert and company, and their judgement. You can't teach big hands, speed, or size, and this dude sure has those. So did Mitchell...except Mitchell wasn't a Heckert pick, and was even more raw.
Gordon is indeed raw, but after his solid season with RG3 at Baylor, he did practice the whole season with Utah. This means he's been running routes vs. defensive backs. He's now worked in two different systems.
Sure, he'll immediately challenge to start opposite Little, but probably won't. He hasn't been here for anything yet. Hasn't even seen the playbook yet. Maybe never heard of a West Coast route tree. The West Coast is the most complex system for a wide reciever to learn. No ad-libbing; there's only one correct read, and if you blow it there's a good chance it's a pick, because the ball was in the air before you made the wrong move, or didn't make the right one.
If you expect him to come right in and change everything in 2012, you should wake up. This was a longer-term move. He may be worked in gradually through the season, playing more and more, and might even be making a splash in the second half--or not.
Even if Mitchell emerges, along with one or two of the other non-Little guys, and push Gordon off the active roster in 2012, it hardly matters (if they're right).
He wouldn't have been drafted until 2013 anyway, and most legit experts agree that he'd have a good shot at being the first or second wide reciever drafted, maybe high in the first round.
Heckert just put the same guy on this NFL team, in this offensive system, a year early. In 2013, he'll be better than he would have been after another season in college! AND, on a second-round contract!!!
I've only been able to see Gordon make two plays on film. One was a little insta-dumpoff to him at the line of scrimmage that he took 97 yards for a TD. What shocked me about that is that he was pulling away from all the defenders with each stride. His 40 time is good for his size, but I'll bet his 100-time is microscopic.
DB's in the NFL are faster, of course, but I really doubt that many could catch him if he got behind them. I mean, their legs are simply too short.
The other touchdown was a bomb from RG3. Here, he was around three yards ahead of the DB, who had no shot.
Mitchell never had a season like this guy had with Baylor and RG3. The year before last, Gordon really proved something against elite competition, and now he's practiced with Utah for another season, so he's not at all as raw and unproven as Mitchell was when he was drafted (not by Heckert).
He also sounds pretty smart in his interviews. And the mary jane stuff? Big deal!
And hey, of he steps right in and surprises me by making an impact right away, that's great! I mean, they can instantly use him situationally and say "just go to that corner of the end zone period". Just scare this free safety and pull this cornerback over there so they stay out of the way.
I'm not counting Mitchell out, either. This doesn't mean there's not room for two of those guys.
Hell, now they've got TOO many wide recievers!
Wow.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Young Cleveland Browns Who Could Shock and Astonish Oblivions and Make a Big Difference on Offense
I was greatly encouraged by Tony Grossi articles (and only his) mentioning Carlton Mitchell, and suggesting that he was looking pretty good.
Grossi is not my favorite analyst, but aint bad, niether. I was bothered by his harsh analyses of Colt McCoy (arm strength), but have to admit now that some of that was right...although he still never considers Montana, Sipe, Pennington, Ryan, Nelson, etc. etc. etc.
Anyway, the Mitchell references were encouraging to me. Grossi does look a little deeper than most analysts, and does get on the sidelines AMAP. It's easy to look at stats and count catches. I believe that Grossi is looking for how often he gets OPEN, regardless of whether or not a pass comes his way.
I try not to let my emotions color my own analysis, but in view of Mitchell's potential and the fact that he's been gestating for two NFL seasons, Grossi's positive mentions carry weight with me.
Now, IF IF IF Mitchell emerges (predictably/on schedule) as 3/4 the WR he was projected to be, he can claim the WR slot opposite Gregg Little.
This would be scary for enema defenses, as Mitchell is a big target and a deep threat. In reality, he's no faster than Little, but has a little more reach. If IF IF Little predictably emerges in his second season as a true number one reciever, these two guys could really be formidable together.
In reality, Little can make sharper cuts and get better separation. He can break more tackles, and be the primary target--assuming he can CATCH THE DAMN BALL. In THIS WEST COAST system, he defaults to the X reciever slot.
Mitchell is more of a "glider"; not as quick, nor with the running back elusiveness or strength of Little. But he is a little taller, and can use his mass and reach as well or better to make catches even when covered. If IF IF Mitchell emerges, in this offense featuring scary tight ends and Richardson he will NEVER be double-covered.
Here, the Browns would (again: in reality) feature TWO starting big-play wide recievers. Two big guys who overpower and out-reach cornerbacks, and can go to the house at any time.
Then there's that Weeden favorite undrafted Josh Cooper. Small and slow, but sure-handed and (at least in camp) always open. I wouldn't even count this guy out for making a surprise impact in this (listen carefully) WEST COAST timing offense.
Travis Benjamin will be one of the fastest players in the NFL. Came from Miami U.
Reports of his bad routes are being misunderstood: He makes sharp, sudden cuts, and can separate, but (big surprise coming), he misreads coverages and zigs when he's supposed to zag.
He's a R O O K I E DO YOU U N D E R S T A N D? Give him a couple weeks, for cryin' out loud! This waterbug might be awesome! (or not: so stipulated shut up Yoda).
Sticking with people who catch passes (and again let's drop labels), how 'bout Cameron Jordan? Why do Browns fans discard middle-round rookies when they don't make instant impacts?
His college football history was even more limitted than Little's. Little switched positions, then got suspended. Cameron was a highschool wide reciever and basketball player who went to college on a basketball scholarship. He played some at wide reciever, and was switched to tight end after that. He was very raw.
Heckert and company knew he needed a lot of work, and the Browns were neck-deep in tight ends. He was never intended to get more than a little taste in his inaugural season, but this is year two.
He's bigger and stronger, and might well challenge for time in Watson's place as an in-line tight end (who can block defensive ends and stuff).
Do you understand that the main reason Moore didn't play much last season is because Smith and Watson were needed next to the right tackle to help block? That's also why Watson wasn't very productive--he was pass-blocking.
Cameron, like Watson, has the potential to play both conventional and wing-tight end, and if he's made enough progress, could blow up this season! Especially since RT Mitchell Schwartze won't need help!
Richardson (duh). Weeden probably, mainly because he can attack everywhere. We'll leave them out of this.
If I were telling you that all four of these recievers would emerge as stars this season, it would be fair to call me a homer, dreamer, or moron, as some of you will anyway.
But I'm telling you that it's likely that all of them will improve at least a little, and two (half) of them will be at least above average. That's just kindergarten statistical analysis.
Things are looking up. Deal with it.
Grossi is not my favorite analyst, but aint bad, niether. I was bothered by his harsh analyses of Colt McCoy (arm strength), but have to admit now that some of that was right...although he still never considers Montana, Sipe, Pennington, Ryan, Nelson, etc. etc. etc.
Anyway, the Mitchell references were encouraging to me. Grossi does look a little deeper than most analysts, and does get on the sidelines AMAP. It's easy to look at stats and count catches. I believe that Grossi is looking for how often he gets OPEN, regardless of whether or not a pass comes his way.
I try not to let my emotions color my own analysis, but in view of Mitchell's potential and the fact that he's been gestating for two NFL seasons, Grossi's positive mentions carry weight with me.
Now, IF IF IF Mitchell emerges (predictably/on schedule) as 3/4 the WR he was projected to be, he can claim the WR slot opposite Gregg Little.
This would be scary for enema defenses, as Mitchell is a big target and a deep threat. In reality, he's no faster than Little, but has a little more reach. If IF IF Little predictably emerges in his second season as a true number one reciever, these two guys could really be formidable together.
In reality, Little can make sharper cuts and get better separation. He can break more tackles, and be the primary target--assuming he can CATCH THE DAMN BALL. In THIS WEST COAST system, he defaults to the X reciever slot.
Mitchell is more of a "glider"; not as quick, nor with the running back elusiveness or strength of Little. But he is a little taller, and can use his mass and reach as well or better to make catches even when covered. If IF IF Mitchell emerges, in this offense featuring scary tight ends and Richardson he will NEVER be double-covered.
Here, the Browns would (again: in reality) feature TWO starting big-play wide recievers. Two big guys who overpower and out-reach cornerbacks, and can go to the house at any time.
Then there's that Weeden favorite undrafted Josh Cooper. Small and slow, but sure-handed and (at least in camp) always open. I wouldn't even count this guy out for making a surprise impact in this (listen carefully) WEST COAST timing offense.
Travis Benjamin will be one of the fastest players in the NFL. Came from Miami U.
Reports of his bad routes are being misunderstood: He makes sharp, sudden cuts, and can separate, but (big surprise coming), he misreads coverages and zigs when he's supposed to zag.
He's a R O O K I E DO YOU U N D E R S T A N D? Give him a couple weeks, for cryin' out loud! This waterbug might be awesome! (or not: so stipulated shut up Yoda).
Sticking with people who catch passes (and again let's drop labels), how 'bout Cameron Jordan? Why do Browns fans discard middle-round rookies when they don't make instant impacts?
His college football history was even more limitted than Little's. Little switched positions, then got suspended. Cameron was a highschool wide reciever and basketball player who went to college on a basketball scholarship. He played some at wide reciever, and was switched to tight end after that. He was very raw.
Heckert and company knew he needed a lot of work, and the Browns were neck-deep in tight ends. He was never intended to get more than a little taste in his inaugural season, but this is year two.
He's bigger and stronger, and might well challenge for time in Watson's place as an in-line tight end (who can block defensive ends and stuff).
Do you understand that the main reason Moore didn't play much last season is because Smith and Watson were needed next to the right tackle to help block? That's also why Watson wasn't very productive--he was pass-blocking.
Cameron, like Watson, has the potential to play both conventional and wing-tight end, and if he's made enough progress, could blow up this season! Especially since RT Mitchell Schwartze won't need help!
Richardson (duh). Weeden probably, mainly because he can attack everywhere. We'll leave them out of this.
If I were telling you that all four of these recievers would emerge as stars this season, it would be fair to call me a homer, dreamer, or moron, as some of you will anyway.
But I'm telling you that it's likely that all of them will improve at least a little, and two (half) of them will be at least above average. That's just kindergarten statistical analysis.
Things are looking up. Deal with it.
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