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More Bill Belichick Fallout: Kraft, Falcons, Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Commanders

April 17th, 2024 at 10:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Plenty has emerged in the wake of Bill Belichick going from eight-time Super Bowl champion to unemployed, but as the legendary coach regroups, some additional information about what went down in Atlanta — along with other teams’ coaching searches — has come to light.

Connecting some dots based on what has previously come out this offseason, ESPN.com’s Don Van Natta, Seth Wickersham and Jeremy Fowler report in an expansive piece that Falcons execs dissuaded Arthur Blank from hiring Belichick and Robert Kraft played a major role in the process that ended up veering away from an overqualified candidate who had initially appeared the favorite for the job Raheem Morris now has.

On the morning of the day Morris became the pick, Belichick still viewed himself as likely to land the job. Blank confirmed the 24-year Patriots HC did not ask him for personnel control, but power brokering — given Belichick’s outsized influence and experience — is believed to have still gone down in Atlanta’s front office. As a result, Belichick felt “blindsided” by the Morris hire.

CEO Rich McKay and GM Terry Fontenot did not want to work with Belichick, according to ESPN, which adds the six-time Super Bowl-winning HC was willing to work with the fourth-year GM (while confirming he and McKay’s less-than-stellar relationship). A previous report pointed to Belichick’s concern with Fontenot and the Falcons’ overall power structure. Fontenot, McKay and Falcons president Greg Beadles were part of the Falcons’ second Belichick interview.

Going so far as to reveal Falcons brass’ final rankings for the HC job, Fowler, Van Natta and Wickersham indicate Belichick did not finish in the top three for the Atlanta position. Beyond unanimous top choice Morris, Mike Macdonald and Texans OC Bobby Slowik respectively slotted second and third in this process.

Kraft is believed to have played a role in Blank backing off his initial hope to hire Belichick. A conversation between Blank and his longtime friend came after the Jan. 15 Blank-Belichick yacht meeting, and ESPN reports the Patriots owner warned the Falcons boss not to trust the accomplished HC.

Seeing as this comes during an offseason that has seen more information come out — via the much-discussed The Dynasty series — about Kraft’s issues with Belichick, it is hardly surprising the longtime Pats owner would provide such a warning. Robert Kraft, who considered ousting Belichick after 2022 (before son Jonathan Kraft advised against), referred to Belichick as “very, very, very arrogant, per ESPN. A Robert Kraft spokesman denied the owner, who was naturally complimentary of the game’s second-winningest HC upon the January separation, disparaged Belichick to Blank.

Belichick had already assembled a coaching staff, with some familiar names indeed believed to be part of it. Beyond plans to bring Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia and Joe Judge aboard, former Texans VP (and Patriots staffer) Jack Easterby was on the radar to be part of a Belichick Atlanta staff. Falcons execs expressed reservations about this staff, with ESPN adding Blank also questioned why this group failed elsewhere. Belichick reportedly responded by saying this group was comprised of “better soldiers than generals.” Judge has since joined Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss staff. The Texans moved on from Easterby in 2022.

New Commanders GM Adam Peters, a Patriots scout in the 2000s, discussed the HC position with Belichick. Minority owner Magic Johnson pushed for Washington to hire the Maryland native, but Josh Harris — who spoke to Kraft about Belichick in December — had decided he would not make that move. We had heard previously the NBA and NHL owner wanted a more collaborative approach, which many current NFL owners prefer, rather than handing the keys to one person. With Harris wanting a front office-oriented leadership structure, Peters has final say on Commanders football matters. Belichick was not interested in the Chargers.

The three other NFC East HC jobs may well be open in 2025, and ESPN notes Belichick would be interested in the Cowboys, Eagles and Giants positions — should they open up. The Eagles did work on Belichick before determining Nick Sirianni would stay, with Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman viewed as fans of the future Hall of Famer, and the former has been close with Jerry Jones for many years. Lurie looks to have joined the Falcons in expressing hesitancy in greenlighting a Belichick move that would bring major changes while qualifying as a short-term fix.

Belichick, who turned 72 on Tuesday, is now six years older than the oldest HC ever hired (Bruce Arians). Any team that considers a 2025 hire would be adding someone who will turn 73 before coaching his next NFL game.

A Belichick confidant also expressed doubt the former Giants DC would earn another HC job unless Jones signs off on a Cowboys hire. Mike McCarthy‘s lame-duck status will keep Belichick rumors going, it would seem, but for now, a TV gig appears in the works. Belichick is expected to join Peyton Manning‘s Omaha Productions for analysis-based work. ESPN’s Pat McAfee also announced Belichick will be part of his show’s draft coverage (video link).

Fifteen wins shy of Don Shula‘s career record, Belichick is believed to have informed allies he expects to land at least one interview next year. While the NFC East jobs are worth monitoring, the bumps the Patriot Way has taken — coupled with Belichick’s age and implied threat to organizations’ status quos — leave it far from certain he will have a third opportunity to lead an NFL team.

Cowboys Sign RB Royce Freeman

April 16th, 2024 at 7:54pm CST by Ben Levine

After sitting out the initial phase of the running back carousel, the Cowboys have finally added to the position. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys have signed veteran Royce Freeman. It’s a one-year deal for the running back.

The Cowboys have seen some massive turnover in their backfield over the past year. After moving on from Ezekiel Elliott last offseason, the Cowboys weren’t able to retain Tony Pollard this year. While a long list of free agent RBs switched teams, the Cowboys ended up sticking with a current grouping that’s led by Deuce Vaughn and Rico Dowdle.

While it’s no guarantee that Freeman will slide atop the depth chart in Dallas, the 28-year-old brings much more experience than his two newest teammates. Freeman has seen time in 79 career games, and while he hasn’t been able to replicate his early-career success in Denver, he’s still been serviceable in recent years. He most recently got into 14 games with the Rams last season, collecting 319 yards and two touchdowns on 77 carries.

While his 2023 performance was fine for a backup, the Cowboys will surely be seeking more upside from their running game. It shouldn’t be a huge surprise that Archer notes that today’s signing doesn’t take the Cowboys out of the running for an early-round rookie RB. Archer even says the Cowboys could look to add more depth via free agency.

Cowboys, WR CeeDee Lamb Have Not Discussed Extension

April 15th, 2024 at 11:32am CST by Adam La Rose

APRIL 15: Lamb is indeed absent from the Cowboys’ facility as the team’s offseason program begins, Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. That comes as little surprise with plenty of ground to be made up in contract negotiations. It will be interesting to see how much progress is made on that front ahead of OTAs (in May), mandatory minicamp (June) and training camp (July) as the summer unfolds.

APRIL 12: Much of the Cowboys’ 2024 offseason has been defined by the team’s lack of progress on extension talks with quarterback Dak Prescott entering the final year of his current deal. On the horizon, though, are mega-deals for edge rusher Micah Parsons and wideout CeeDee Lamb.

With the latter having been drafted one year earlier than the former, he understandably represents a higher priority for Dallas. Lamb is in line to secure a massive raise on his second contract, but he is already on the books for 2024 via his $17.99MM fifth-year option. Team and player are positioned to discuss an extension this offseason, but for now that is not the case.

Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports Lamb’s representatives have not yet held any “substantial talks” with the Cowboys about a new deal. The 25-year-old has been eligible for a new deal since last offseason, but his public comments on the matter have included a desire to become the league’s highest-paid receiver. Reaching that goal would require an AAV above Tyreek Hill‘s $30MM figure along with outpacing the value of Justin Jefferson‘s presumed Vikings extension.

As Watkins’ colleague Michael Gehlkin noted earlier this week, Lamb may not take part in the Cowboys’ upcoming offseason program. That process – which begins April 15 – is voluntary, though, and an absence would not carry nearly the same weight as a hold out (or the increasingly popular hold-in) during training camp. With an extension not in sight, it would come as no surprise at this point if Lamb attempted to exercise his leverage to help work out a monster contract.

The Oklahoma product set a new franchise record for receivers in 2023 (135 catches, 1,749 yards, 14 total touchdowns). That production earned him a third straight Pro Bowl invitation along with first-team All-Pro honors. Lamb’s age and statistical output have him positioned to occupy a large portion of the Cowboys’ cap sheet for years to come, but the same is of course true for Prescott (whom the team still hopes to extend this offseason) and Parsons (who is now extension-eligible and will no doubt become one of the league’s highest-paid defenders on his next pact).

As things stand, the Cowboys are projected to have just over $100MM in cap space for the 2025 season. That figure will change dramatically over time, of course, especially when clarity emerges for any or all members of the Prescott-Lamb-Parsons trio. In Lamb’s case, it appears significant progress will still need to be made for a multi-year agreement to be hammered out.

Cowboys To Move Markquese Bell Back To Safety

April 14th, 2024 at 11:07am CST by Rory Parks

A collegiate safety, Markquese Bell joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and played in just 22 defensive snaps in his rookie season. In 2023, he was moved to linebacker and given a much larger workload, and he acquitted himself rather nicely.

In 17 games (eight starts) last year, Bell racked up 94 total tackles to go along with four passes defensed and two forced fumbles. He also fared well in the eyes of the advanced metrics, with Pro Football Focus assigning him a 76.8 overall grade that ranked 18th out of 74 qualified players. His 83.5 coverage grade, perhaps a function of his safety background, was the fifth-highest mark among his LB peers.

Former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn left Dallas to become the Commanders’ head coach this offseason, and his replacement, Mike Zimmer, will be moving Bell back to his natural safety position, as David Moore of the Dallas Morning News confirms. Zimmer prefers to have good size at the linebacker spots, and Bell — who is listed at 205 pounds — does not offer that. Plus, despite his PFF rankings, Bell’s lack of size and lack of experience as an LB were exposed at times last season, including the Cowboys’ stunning playoff ouster at the hands of the Packers.

Dallas has already reunited Zimmer with former Vikings charge Eric Kendricks, who will operate alongside Damone Clark and DeMarvion Overshown. Clark started all 17 games for Dallas in 2023 and compiled 109 tackles, though the 2022 fifth-rounder sometimes struggled with the increased responsibilities. Overshown, a 2023 third-rounder, had a promising camp and was expected to take on a meaningful role as a rookie, but a preseason ACL tear kept him off the field for the entirety of the campaign.

Despite Kendricks’ veteran presence and the upside of Clark and Overshown, Moore still believes that the linebacker unit is the weak link of the Dallas defense. The fact that the Cowboys are moving Bell out of that group is further indication that they plan to select an LB in the early stages of the upcoming draft. We recently heard that the club does not plan to use its first-round choice on the position, but in Moore’s estimation, a Day 2 selection would be more than defensible.

The team scheduled “30” visits with Michigan’s Junior Colson and Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper, and Moore names Ohio State’s Tommy Eichenberg and Clemson’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr.  as other potential targets. Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, meanwhile, hears that the Cowboys “really like” NC State prospect Payton Wilson (subscription required).

Dallas has starting safeties Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson on lucrative multi-year pacts; Hooker’s deal runs through 2026, while Wilson is under club control through 2025. Therefore, Bell may not be a starting safety, but given his relative success last season, Zimmer should find a way to get him on the field often.

Latest On Cowboys’ Draft Plans

April 13th, 2024 at 9:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cowboys are one of several teams positioned to add along the offensive line during the first round of the upcoming draft. That 2024 tackle class in particular has drawn considerable praise, and selecting one of the best options on the board would help clarify Dallas’ plans up front for the coming season.

The free agent departure of Tyron Smith has left the Cowboys without a starting left tackle, unless 2022 first-rounder Tyler Smith handles blindside duties moving forward. The latter was drafted as the former’s heir apparent, but he thrived as a guard, earning a Pro Bowl invitation and second-team All-Pro honors last season. As a result, a tackle addition could be coming soon.

Indeed, The Athletic’s Jon Machota writes left tackle is “the position most likely to be addressed in the first round” when Dallas is on the clock (subscription required). The Cowboys own pick No. 24, which in many years would be too late to find a tackle prospect capable of starting right away. The 2024 class is deep up front, though, and Dallas could have a few options to choose from when on the clock. Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton and Georgia’s Amarius Mims could be on the board, although the Steelers (set to pick 20th) are expected to address their O-line in that range as well.

Of course, Tyler Smith kicking outside would leave the interior as an area of need for Dallas, a team which lost starting center Tyler Biadasz in free agency. The likes of Graham Barton and Jackson Powers-Johnson could be options in that event. ESPN’s Todd Archer predicts Smith will begin the 2024 season as Dallas’ blindside protector, and that approach would shift attention to guard or center prospects early in the draft. The Cowboys have hosted both interior and tackle options on ‘top-30’ visits.

To little surprise, Machota adds the Cowboys will not address the linebacker position on Day 1. No LB prospects are seen as locks to hear their names called in the first round, but that spot is certainly one which could use additions in Dallas’ case. A selection as early as the second round (where the team owns pick No. 56) could bring about the arrival of a linebacker to help complement free agent signing Eric Kendricks.

Aiming to quell criticisms which have stemmed from the team’s quiet offseason to date, the Cowboys could add a number of impact rookies in the near future. While it remains to be seen which O-line position the team’s top pick in that respect plays, an early move up front should be expected at this point.

Traded NFL Draft Picks For 2024

April 10th, 2024 at 10:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the 2024 draft nears, numerous picks have already changed hands. A handful of picks have already been moved twice, with a few being traded three times. Multiple deals from 2021 impact this draft. Here are the 2024 picks to have been traded thus far:

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

NFL Draft Rumors: Cowboys, McCarthy, Robinson

April 6th, 2024 at 5:54pm CST by Ely Allen

The Cowboys hosted a number of 2024 NFL Draft prospects for “top 30” visits this week. The visiting group included potential first-round targets like Taliese Fuaga, Graham Barton, and Darius Robinson as well as projected Day 2 selection Junior Colson.

Fuaga, an offensive tackle out of Oregon State, and Barton, a projected interior offensive lineman out of Duke, make sense considering the Cowboys’ losses on offensive line this offseason of Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz. If Fuaga is able to start, this would allow Dallas to keep Tyler Smith at guard, where he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023. In order to land Fuaga, though, the Cowboys would likely have to trade up earlier into the first round. Barton played left tackle for the Blue Devils for the last couple of years, but his early college film at center shows the versatility that he could bring at the NFL level.

Robinson, a defensive end out of Missouri, feels like the typical Cowboys pass rusher selection and adds depth to a position that saw Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler follow former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to Washington. A bigger defensive end, Robinson could provide some versatility across the defensive line and may be available long enough for the Cowboys to trade back to collect some extra picks and still select him. Colson, a linebacker out of Michigan, would be a nice addition to a position that could use some attention with Micah Parsons spending more time at end. While he’s likely a second- or third-round pick, he’s worth note as he’s expected to be the first linebacker off the board.

Here are a couple of other rumors making the rounds in the weeks leading up to this month’s draft:

  • We have seen the draft stock of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy soaring over the last few weeks. Once considered a tier-two quarterback behind Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels, the polarizing McCarthy has somehow found himself in consideration for the No. 2 overall draft selection. While his stock continues to inflate, Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan pointed out some of the red flags that have some scouts feeling less than confident about the former Wolverine. McCarthy has been compared to former Steelers’ first-round pick Kenny Pickett “due to his inability to drive the ball down the field.” His strong sense of timing made up for a lack of arm strength in college, but some worry that it will prevent him from being able to make some throws at the NFL level. While he’s almost guaranteed to be a first-round pick due to the top-heavy nature of the position this year, many don’t have a first-round grade on McCarthy.
  • Chop Robinson is set to be the next pass rusher out of Penn State to be selected in the first round. The projected Day 1 edge rusher had already taken visits with the Eagles, Ravens, and Saints, but Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz informs us that visits with the Giants and Jets were scheduled for this past week, as well. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 adds that the Texans have Robinson firmly on their radar after meeting with him at the NFL scouting combine.

Dalvin Cook Discusses Free Agency

April 6th, 2024 at 10:34am CST by Ben Levine

Dalvin Cook‘s 2023 campaign didn’t go as planned, with the former Pro Bowler struggling to carve out a role in the Jets offense. As a result, it’s been relatively quiet for the veteran free agent, but that doesn’t mean the 28-year-old is treating this offseason any differently.

In a conversation with Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Cook said he’s feeling great and is confident he can still be a productive offensive weapon. In fact, he also believes his limited run in New York will only benefit him in 2024.

“I’ve got it all,” Cook said. “The tools are still here. I didn’t really get no reps last year. So, the legs are fresh, so the resume speaks for itself. I’m still Dalvin Cook. I’m still that guy. For me, I don’t like to toot my own horn. I just like to go out there, put my helmet on and line up on the grass.”

Cook’s six-year stint in Minnesota ended with his release last offseason. Despite topping 1,300 yards from scrimmage each season between 2019 and 2022, it took the veteran until mid-August to catch on with the Jets, where he was expected to form a two-headed monster in the backfield with Breece Hall.

Aaron Rodgers‘ season-ending injury quickly changed things, with the offense failing to find consistency throughout the 2023 campaign. As a result, the team leaned heavily on Hall, pushing Cook to a true backup role. The running back only started one of his 15 appearances for the Jets, finishing with 292 yards from scrimmage and zero touchdowns.

Cook and the Jets parted ways late in the season, and he caught on with the Ravens for the postseason. He garnered eight touches in his one playoff appearance, finishing with 23 yards.

While there’s been plenty of movement in this year’s RB free agency class, Cook hasn’t attracted a whole lot of interest. There were rumors that the running back was interested in joining the Cowboys, but it was uncertain if that interest was reciprocated by the organization. Regardless of where he ends up, Cook is confident that he’ll be able to contribute to any running backs room.

“Yeah, you always have to be prepared for the opportunity,” Cook said. “For me, I’m a veteran in the league. I know what it takes to be successful in this league. I know who Dalvin Cook is and I know how I want to perform and what I want to do. Like you said, stay ready so you ain’t got to get ready.”

Cowboys To Re-Sign T Chuma Edoga

April 3rd, 2024 at 11:07am CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys’ partnership with Tyron Smith ended after 13 seasons, with the All-Decade tackle leaving for a Jets deal in free agency. Dallas is, however, keeping the decorated tackle’s primary 2023 backup.

Chuma Edoga is re-signing with the Cowboys, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. A one-year deal is expected. A former Jets third-round pick, Edoga started six games for the Cowboys last season. Primarily playing left tackle, Edoga worked as Smith’s injury replacement.

As the Cowboys transition from their talented but injury-prone starter, Edoga will give them a low-cost option. Though, the team will presumably intend to keep Edoga as a swingman. Though, he does offer some positional versatility.

Dallas used Edoga on 312 snaps at left tackle last season but also trotted him out at left guard on 101 plays. His return could give Dallas an inside option, with Tyler Smith — once viewed as the team’s left tackle of the future — still potentially in play to slide back outside. Tyler Smith has excelled at both guard and tackle as a pro. The younger Smith is still an option to take over at left tackle. That would obviously create a hole at left guard — a familiar situation for a Cowboys team that has lost Connor Williams and Connor McGovern in consecutive offseasons. The Cowboys did view Edoga as a better tackle than guard, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.

Edoga’s six starts were his most since his 2019 Jets rookie season. He fell out of favor with the Jets soon after, as GM Joe Douglas was not on board when he was drafted. This led him to the Falcons in 2022 via trade. He started one game with Atlanta. Last season, Pro Football Focus graded Edoga just outside the top 50 among tackles.

Set for his age-27 season, Edoga may have a chance to carve out a bigger role in 2024. The Cowboys have two holes along their starting O-line, with center starter Tyler Biadasz following Dan Quinn to Washington. The draft will represent a key avenue to upgrade, as the Cowboys have not been especially busy in free agency. Edoga, however, offers a bit of insurance as the team considers its options following the loss of its likely Hall of Fame-bound left tackle.

Draft Notes: Barton, ’30’ Visits, Wilson

April 1st, 2024 at 12:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

The 2024 tackle class has drawn rave reviews in the lead-in to this month’s draft, but Graham Barton is among those expected to play on the inside upon entering the NFL. The Duke product has nevertheless helped his draft stock recently.

Barton was already gaining steam as a rising prospect before his Pro Day, as noted by ESPN’s Jordan Reid. He battled injuries during the 2023 season and was forced to miss the Senior Bowl as a result, but the two-time All-American managed to take part in the Blue Devils’ Pro Day last week. Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda reports Barton’s performance was highly impressive, and it secured his status as a Day 1 prospect.

Following up on the strong workout, Reid notes Barton could now work his way into the top 15 come draft night. Many NFL teams view the first-team All-ACC selection as a center, but he could also see time at guard at the pro level. Wherever he lines up as a rookie, Barton will face high expectations and no doubt draw the attention of many teams near the top of the order in need of reinforcements up front.

Here are some other draft-related notes from around the NFL:

  • Missouri’s Darius Robinson has also seen his stock rise in the wake of the Senior Bowl, and NFL teams are keeping an eye on him. The Steelers recently hosted him on a ’30’ visit, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He adds Robinson has 20 meetings with teams on the books, making him one of several potential first-rounders who will remain busy as the draft approaches. O-lineman Taliese Fuaga is among the prospects who also met with the Steelers, as noted by Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  • Staying in Pennsylvania, the Eagles hosted Laiatu Latu on a ’30’ visit, Geoff Mosher of Inside the Birds reports. The UCLA product is one of the best edge rushers in the 2024 class, having earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023. His college resume includes a medical retirement, however, so there will be risk involved in selecting him. Philadelphia and all other prospective suitors will no doubt have a vested interest in Latu’s medical examinations. The Eagles traded Haason Reddick to the Jets, creating the need for a new investment along the edge.
  • The inside linebacker class is not believed to have a Day 1 prospect, but Edgerrin Cooper is among the top options teams will have to choose from. The Texas A&M product had a strong Pro Day showing, and he has a number of ’30’ visits lined up. Per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the list of interested teams includes the Texans, Eagles, Cowboys, Panthers, Chargers and Buccaneers. Cooper was a consensus All-American in 2023 after racking up 84 tackles (including 17 for loss), eight sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
  • Pittsburgh, Dallas, Carolina and Tampa Bay are among the teams also set to host Western Kentucky wideout Malachi Corley, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes. Garafolo adds the Browns, Ravens, Seahawks and 49ers have also booked a visit with the small school standout. Corley is a member of a very deep receiver class, but his 180 catches, 2,279 yards and 22 touchdowns over the past two seasons along with a strong pre-draft process has put him firmly on the draft radar.
  • Marshawn Kneeland has also drawn considerable pre-draft attention. The Western Michigan defensive end has either already met with (or plans to visit) the Eagles along with the Chiefs, Saints, Jaguars, Jets, Vikings, Colts and Commanders, per Pauline. Kneeland spent four years with the MAC program, totaling 12.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss while establishing himself as a power rusher and strong run defender.
  • While a number of prospects have helped their stock recently, the opposite is of course true of others. Michigan receiver Roman Wilson appears to have fallen into the latter category, per ESPN’s Matt Miller. He notes Wilson is in danger of falling to the late second round or early in the third, something which could become increasingly possible if a run on the draft’s other pass-catchers takes place. Wilson averaged 16.4 yards per catch and scored 12 touchdowns on a run-heavy Wolverines offense last season, but his size (6-0, 180) and mediocre statistics from his three other campaigns could make him less appealing than other WR options.
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