Pitt & Narduzzi

RUwoz

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Jul 20, 2014
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With all these recruits pouring in, one thing I've noticed is we are consistently beating out Pitt and their new coach Pat Narduzzi. Obviously we still beat out Sadexcuse, Temple, UConn but I'm surprised at our success against Pat... He's come in very highly touted and has been doing well recruiting, but it seems like every one of our recruits also holds a Pitt offer, which just shows how well Flood is doing to beat out the defensive mastermind out in Western PA!
 

jay_hq

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Apr 24, 2010
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He has been the head coach at Pitt for 6 months. A lot of recruiting is about a long term relationship.

I like Flood and not trying to take anything away from his great effort in recruiting lately. Just thinking rationally.

However, Narduzzi is certainly not the great recruiter TTFP got who was able to get recruits within weeks of becoming the head coach.
 

StyleKnight

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I think Rutgers has more to sell than Pitt. Pitt is a good school but I think Rutgers has more to offer.
 

RUwoz

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I think Rutgers has more to sell than Pitt. Pitt is a good school but I think Rutgers has more to offer.
100%, Pitt is like Michigan in that it just relies on achievements from 100 years ago to get recruits, but I thought Narduzzi would give an instant boost to them since he did such a great job at MSU, I think that says a lot about Flood and his ability to beat top coaches for recruits
 

ruthetiger

Junior
Oct 8, 2008
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Of course you'd say that. At this point, PITT shot themselves in the foot because they went through a period of coaching carousel within like a 2 year period. Nobody trusts them.
 
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StyleKnight

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100%, Pitt is like Michigan in that it just relies on achievements from 100 years ago to get recruits, but I thought Narduzzi would give an instant boost to them since he did such a great job at MSU, I think that says a lot about Flood and his ability to beat top coaches for recruits
Michigan is a great school. If you take away anything on the football field you'd still have a great degree.
 

Ru2bnj

Sophomore
Apr 21, 2006
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I don't think it really matters "who we are beating out". Many complain "who we are not beating out". In the end is RU getting the right players for the program and what we want to do. Only time will tell with that. All things are competitive ...but it's how do the guys RU signs ...turn out...that is the important thing.
 

NickyNewark51

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100%, Pitt is like Michigan in that it just relies on achievements from 100 years ago to get recruits, but I thought Narduzzi would give an instant boost to them since he did such a great job at MSU, I think that says a lot about Flood and his ability to beat top coaches for recruits
Especially in NYC and environs!!! I can't wait till the next big time 4 star type coming out of BKLN or Queens...we should be right in it!!! HCKF owns NYC lately.
 

lighty

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Aug 13, 2003
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"Pitt is in the weaker division , by far, of the ACC ."

I wonder if being in the weaker CONFERENCE will keep RU winning recruiting battles with Pitt. There is something to be playing the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State each year that beats playing Syracuse, Boston College, etc.

While the Big Ten used to be seen as just a midwestern conference, that's changed with RU, MD, and PSU involved. Even though the ACC has Syracuse, BC, and Pitt, it's still so heavily concentrated in Tobacco Road and still looks like a basketball first conference to me. Miami and Michigan have both been down lately, but Michigan still seems to have the "it" factor, Miami does not. Other than Florida State and Clemson, there really isn't anybody that would get me excited to play each year.
 
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JQRU91

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Especially in NYC and environs!!! I can't wait till the next big time 4 star type coming out of BKLN or Queens...we should be right in it!!! HCKF owns NYC lately.
Unfortunately, most years the list of New York state's recruits is in two star territory before you even get to number ten.
 

knightfan7

Heisman
Jul 30, 2003
96,685
70,429
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Unfortunately, most years the list of New York state's recruits is in two star territory before you even get to number ten.

The question is whether they're 2* because they are 2* talents or because they play in NY and especially NYC. It seems to me other than parts of LI it's never been a recruiting hotbed and kids there may be overlooked or lowly rated because of it.
 
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LotusAggressor_rivals

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Oct 11, 2003
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Narduzzi, along with Dantonio, was a developer of talent at MSU. There were a lot of guys on those highly ranked defenses that he coached that weren't 4 and 5 star recruits. After a couple of years in their system, they played like 4 & 5 star recruits, and that's ultimately the most important thing. It remains to be seen what kind of team Pitt will ultimately turn into.
 

RRRRUUUU

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Nov 19, 2005
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I don't think people apprecite how hit or miss it can be hiring an assistant with no HC track record. People here wanted Narduzzi, who Flood so far is out recruiting head to head. There were also calls for that nutjob Diaco who self imposed a tropy for a rivalry with UCF. The grass isn't always greener..
 

NickyNewark51

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Unfortunately, most years the list of New York state's recruits is in two star territory before you even get to number ten.
Doesn't matter with NYC kids...they rarely camp outside the city...we had a an UR last year Alabama tried and couldnt steal...unfortunately BK from ND did..a big DT!! Stars arent everything..ask the McCourty's!!
 

NickyNewark51

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Unfortunately, most years the list of New York state's recruits is in two star territory before you even get to number ten.
Kids in NY are just as talented as anywhere else but FB isn't emphasized!! Bill Pickel was 1 from yrs ago and Quentin Guase recently would have been a 4 star in Florida!! I'm dying to see how 2 star Devan Carter pans out!! NY is a hidden gem if you know it..Jordan Fuchs TE Indiana..lets watch him !
 

JQRU91

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The question is whether they're 2* because they are 2* talents or because they play in NY and especially NYC. It seems to me other than parts of LI it's never been a recruiting hotbed and kids there may be overlooked or lowly rated because of it.
That's a possibility. But there also might not be that much top football talent in NYC because there's not that much open space to play football there. Most of the top athletic talent goes to basketball.
 

NickyNewark51

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That's a possibility. But there also might not be that much top football talent in NYC because there's not that much open space to play football there. Most of the top athletic talent goes to basketball.
Thats the whole point!! Coach basketball player's and make them FB players!! More of those better athletes in NYC alone than the whole south minus Fla and Texas..but you have to know where to find these gems. HCKF does!!
 

NickyNewark51

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The question is whether they're 2* because they are 2* talents or because they play in NY and especially NYC. It seems to me other than parts of LI it's never been a recruiting hotbed and kids there may be overlooked or lowly rated because of it.
Great observation knightfan...talent knows NO BORDERS...
 

hooeagle

Junior
Jul 23, 2001
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Basketball is the city game for a lot of reasons There is no question that the dream of the best athletes in the city is to play in the NBA as unlike as that is.
And there are playgrounds all over the city were games are going on 24/7.

There is no money for HS football in NYC and no fields to play on. There are very few kid feeder teams. There was talk of a city regulation that would require a doctor or health professional at the equivalent of pop warner games which is crazy
So although there obviously are tremendous athletes in the city the pool of hs football players to draw recruits from is quite small compared to N Jersey for instance Brooklyn Poly and some of the parochial schools traditionally have fine programs and Brooklyn Grand Concourse is apparently on the rise but it is hard to imagine public school programs generally improving in the city because there is tremendous pressure to cut out football altogether and this will happen if the liability for head injuries is not controlled
 

ruthetiger

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Oct 8, 2008
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Nyc football now isn't Nyc football back then. Now, students gravitate more towards basketball because it is the sport of choice. It has always been the sport of choice. That's why the psal participates in the state tourney at Glens falls, NY. Football isn't phased as much, although, I see that there has been a greater effort to do so with the NFLYL. As far as Long Island is concerned, to be perfectly fair, it's not that great compared to all of the other regions, so I'm apologizing now to anyone I'm offending. Not too many players come out of Long Island, and if they do, they must be something special. As populous a state NY is, I'm shocked that they don't churn out 65 players as recruits, but that's just the nature of the beast I guess.
 

ruthetiger

Junior
Oct 8, 2008
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Basketball is the city game for a lot of reasons There is no question that the dream of the best athletes in the city is to play in the NBA as unlike as that is.
And there are playgrounds all over the city were games are going on 24/7.

There is no money for HS football in NYC and no fields to play on. There are very few kid feeder teams. There was talk of a city regulation that would require a doctor or health professional at the equivalent of pop warner games which is crazy
So although there obviously are tremendous athletes in the city the pool of hs football players to draw recruits from is quite small compared to N Jersey for instance Brooklyn Poly and some of the parochial schools traditionally have fine programs and Brooklyn Grand Concourse is apparently on the rise but it is hard to imagine public school programs generally improving in the city because there is tremendous pressure to cut out football altogether and this will happen if the liability for head injuries is not controlled
There are plenty of feeder teams, it's just that basketball in NY is exactly what it is to the state of Indiana. Football is just not emphasized or invested in.
 

RutgersRaRa

Heisman
Mar 21, 2011
19,087
31,437
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Narduzzi, along with Dantonio, was a developer of talent at MSU. There were a lot of guys on those highly ranked defenses that he coached that weren't 4 and 5 star recruits. After a couple of years in their system, they played like 4 & 5 star recruits, and that's ultimately the most important thing. It remains to be seen what kind of team Pitt will ultimately turn into.
Recruiting is about longterm relationship-building. It's one thing for a guy of Narduzzi's caliber to be offered a head coaching job, it's another for someone like him to want to leave the $1mm DC position, with his recruiting channels established and guys wanting to play for him, and start all over again at another school. There's a reason schools are looking for new coaches, and aside from the rare situation like we had with Schiano leaving for the NFL, they are taking over troubled programs, which hampers the new coach's ability to bring in recruits. Narduzzi is a helluva defensive mind, and if he gets a good OC Pitt will be able to recruit pretty well within three years.

But that stadium's location...
 

RU#1fan

Heisman
Mar 7, 2003
23,820
12,480
113
Nyc football now isn't Nyc football back then. Now, students gravitate more towards basketball because it is the sport of choice. It has always been the sport of choice. That's why the psal participates in the state tourney at Glens falls, NY. Football isn't phased as much, although, I see that there has been a greater effort to do so with the NFLYL. As far as Long Island is concerned, to be perfectly fair, it's not that great compared to all of the other regions, so I'm apologizing now to anyone I'm offending. Not too many players come out of Long Island, and if they do, they must be something special. As populous a state NY is, I'm shocked that they don't churn out 65 players as recruits, but that's just the nature of the beast I guess.

This. And whatever highly recruited players that came out of Long Island were targeted by Syracuse . See this changing over the last few years.
 

NickyNewark51

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Nyc football now isn't Nyc football back then. Now, students gravitate more towards basketball because it is the sport of choice. It has always been the sport of choice. That's why the psal participates in the state tourney at Glens falls, NY. Football isn't phased as much, although, I see that there has been a greater effort to do so with the NFLYL. As far as Long Island is concerned, to be perfectly fair, it's not that great compared to all of the other regions, so I'm apologizing now to anyone I'm offending. Not too many players come out of Long Island, and if they do, they must be something special. As populous a state NY is, I'm shocked that they don't churn out 65 players as recruits, but that's just the nature of the beast I guess.
Funny LI used to play pretty decent HSFB and usually handled the NYC all stars pretty handily!?! But as you say ruthetiger for whatever reason HSFB seems to almost evaporate when you pass into NY from NJ?? Md/Del/ Pennsy all have good talent and adequate competition!! Strange its not so big going into New England !?! Talent just keeps getting thinner and thinner as you head into Mass/Maine. Forget Vermont..have they ever had a 4 star in Vermont/NH/Maine?
 

Panthergrowl13

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At this point in time you have no idea whether Narduzzi will be a good HC or recruiter.
Therefore, my prediction/speculation is that by December, Pitt will have more wins than Rutgers and by February Pitt's recruiting class will be higher ranked than Rutgers.

Be back in December and February for further discussions on who is correct.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!
 
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RUwoz

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At this point in time you have no idea whether Narduzzi will be a good HC or recruiter.
Therefore, my prediction/speculation is that by December, Pitt will have more wins than Rutgers and by February Pitt's recruiting class will be higher ranked than Rutgers.

Be back in December and February for further discussions on who is correct.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!
If Pitt doesn't have more wins than RU you might as well shut down the program, a joke of a schedule vs us playing the toughest schedule in the toughest division in football
 

MikeR0102

All-American
Oct 3, 2003
16,454
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He has been the head coach at Pitt for 6 months. A lot of recruiting is about a long term relationship.

I like Flood and not trying to take anything away from his great effort in recruiting lately. Just thinking rationally.

However, Narduzzi is certainly not the great recruiter TTFP got who was able to get recruits within weeks of becoming the head coach.
maybe Narduzzi isnt a great recruiter, but i would expect more from a new coach in their honeymoon period.
 

Scarlet_Scourge

Heisman
May 25, 2012
26,524
13,604
0
At this point in time you have no idea whether Narduzzi will be a good HC or recruiter.
Therefore, my prediction/speculation is that by December, Pitt will have more wins than Rutgers and by February Pitt's recruiting class will be higher ranked than Rutgers.

Be back in December and February for further discussions on who is correct.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!


That is not saying much Pitt has one of the easiest schedules in College Football and Rutgers has one of the hardest. If Pitt doesn't have a better record they should just drop football.

We shall see about the recruiting class. That is anyone's guess, but it sure doesn't look good for Pitt at this point.

I am not ready to count Narduzzi out yet since he hasn't coach a single game yet.
 

PSU_Nut_rivals17625

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There are plenty of feeder teams, it's just that basketball in NY is exactly what it is to the state of Indiana. Football is just not emphasized or invested in.
What also kills NY is the short high school season. They play a 8 game schedule. The fewer games slow their development as players.
 

eyebugs

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Dec 4, 2005
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Glad to see Flood/RU doing better in recruiting, I will say this that there is one geographically neutral player who chose RU with a Pitt offer and that was the DT from Fla. I think the Big Ten will certainly help RU's recruiting, I dont think its a matter of the ACC hurting Pitt's recruiting.. Both teams in better spots than the Big East! I cant recall RU ever coming into western pa and getting a player, but Pitt has gotten all kinds of players from Jersey for decades...Times are changing though and Pitt isn't getting many there now.. seems to be Big Ten area more and more
 

Panthergrowl13

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Interesting responses guys.

I'll clarify my position points that I made in my earlier post.

With regards to Pitt recruiting:

To date, Pitt has a Total of 6 recruits 5 (3-Stars) and 1 (2-Stars). Of those 6 recruits 3 are from Ohio and 1 from Virginia and only 2 from PA (WPA). Many good football players from Western Pa as well as the rest of Pa have not committed yet. At the end of the day Pitt will get its fair share of Pa recruits. What is interesting (at this point) is that half (3) of Pitt's recruits are from Ohio. The fact that Ohio only has one school in a P5 Conference may be a recruiting advantage for Pitt going forward. Additionally, I know Narduzzi is recruiting nationally and has many offers out to good players who have not committed to date. These are the reasons I am not concerned about recruiting at this point in time (waiting for February).

With regard to Pitt 2015 football season:

I am expecting that this year will be Pitt's break out season for many reason.

-A former 4-star QB who completed 61 % of his passes with a 16 to 7 TD to INT ratio last year as a sophomore.
-Perhaps the country's most efficient big running back who was a sophomore.
-One of the nation's best WR who was a sophomore.
-An offensive line that returns 6 players with starting experience (62 career starts), including a former 5-Star coming into his own.
-An offensive coordinator who coached a top-15 offense at Arkansas.
-A front seven that returns six players who had at least four tackles for loss.
-A secondary that returns six of its top seven.
-One of the country's best defensive minds at head coach with a defensive coordinator that improved FIU's defense by 46 spots.

Many positives for Pitt football this season (waiting for December).

HAIL TO PITT!!!!
 
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RUschool

Heisman
Jan 23, 2004
49,937
14,014
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Interesting responses guys.

I'll clarify my position points that I made in my earlier post.

With regards to Pitt recruiting:

To date, Pitt has a Total of 6 recruits 5 (3-Stars) and 1 (2-Stars). Of those 6 recruits 3 are from Ohio and 1 from Virginia and only 2 from PA (WPA). Many good football players from Western Pa as well as the rest of Pa have not committed yet. At the end of the day Pitt will get its fair share of Pa recruits. What is interesting (at this point) is that half (3) of Pitt's recruits are from Ohio. The fact that Ohio only has one school in a P5 Conference may be a recruiting advantage for Pitt going forward. Additionally, I know Narduzzi is recruiting nationally and has many offers out to good players who have not committed to date. These are the reasons I am not concerned about recruiting at this point in time (waiting for February).

With regard to Pitt 2015 football season:

I am expecting that this year will be Pitt's break out season for many reason.

-A former 4-star QB who completed 61 % of his passes with a 16 to 7 TD to INT ratio last year as a sophomore.
-Perhaps the country's most efficient big running back who was a sophomore.
-One of the nation's best WR who was a sophomore.
-An offensive line that returns 6 players with starting experience (62 career starts), including a former 5-Star coming into his own.
-An offensive coordinator who coached a top-15 offense at Arkansas.
-A front seven that returns six players who had at least four tackles for loss.
-A secondary that returns six of its top seven.
-One of the country's best defensive minds at head coach with a defensive coordinator that improved FIU's defense by 46 spots.

Many positives for Pitt football this season (waiting for December).

HAIL TO PITT!!!!
There are always some good Western Pa players that do commit closer to signing date. I still wonder about his recruiting skills. Ohio recruits have always gone out of state. Most of Kentucky recruits are from Ohio. I don't know why Rutgers doesn't recruit Ohio.

I don't know having the same players come back is a good situation. You had a terrible season when I expected you to have a good season. With a great QB and running back, how did you lose so many games?
 
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Panthergrowl13

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There are always some good Western Pa players that do commit closer to signing date. I still wonder about his recruiting skills. Ohio recruits have always gone out of state. Most of Kentucky recruits are from Ohio. I don't know why Rutgers doesn't recruit Ohio.

I don't know having the same players come back is a good situation. You had a terrible season when I expected you to have a good season. With a great QB and running back, how did you lose so many games?


Youth and inexperience

Youngest team in Div 1A last year.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!
 

PSUpaly

Heisman
Mar 16, 2003
21,445
10,742
113
Youth and inexperience

Youngest team in Div 1A last year.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

I'm sure it'll differ from mine, but what's your predictions this year?

I gotcha at 6-6

W Sep. 5 Youngstown St. 1:00pm
W Sep. 12 at Akron 6:00pm
L Sep. 19 at Iowa 8:00pm
L Oct. 3 at Virginia Tech TBA
W Oct. 10 Virginia TBA
L Oct. 17 at Georgia Tech TBA
W Oct. 24 at Syracuse TBA
W Oct. 29 North Carolina 7:00pm
L Nov. 7 Notre Dame TBA
L Nov. 14 at Duke TBA
L Nov. 21 Louisville TBA
W Nov. 27 Miami-FL TBA
 

NickyNewark51

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Interesting responses guys.

I'll clarify my position points that I made in my earlier post.

With regards to Pitt recruiting:

To date, Pitt has a Total of 6 recruits 5 (3-Stars) and 1 (2-Stars). Of those 6 recruits 3 are from Ohio and 1 from Virginia and only 2 from PA (WPA). Many good football players from Western Pa as well as the rest of Pa have not committed yet. At the end of the day Pitt will get its fair share of Pa recruits. What is interesting (at this point) is that half (3) of Pitt's recruits are from Ohio. The fact that Ohio only has one school in a P5 Conference may be a recruiting advantage for Pitt going forward. Additionally, I know Narduzzi is recruiting nationally and has many offers out to good players who have not committed to date. These are the reasons I am not concerned about recruiting at this point in time (waiting for February).

With regard to Pitt 2015 football season:

I am expecting that this year will be Pitt's break out season for many reason.

-A former 4-star QB who completed 61 % of his passes with a 16 to 7 TD to INT ratio last year as a sophomore.
-Perhaps the country's most efficient big running back who was a sophomore.
-One of the nation's best WR who was a sophomore.
-An offensive line that returns 6 players with starting experience (62 career starts), including a former 5-Star coming into his own.
-An offensive coordinator who coached a top-15 offense at Arkansas.
-A front seven that returns six players who had at least four tackles for loss.
-A secondary that returns six of its top seven.
-One of the country's best defensive minds at head coach with a defensive coordinator that improved FIU's defense by 46 spots.

Many positives for Pitt football this season (waiting for December).

HAIL TO PITT!!!!
I know just where your coming from and Pitt is lucky to have enthusiastic fans like you. As fans we need to be positive and look on the bright side of things. Your prognosis sounds promising for this yr. Good luck this year unless you have a B1G team on your schedule.
 
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