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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Name Bruce Arians Head Coach

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TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced today that Bruce Arians has been named the 12th head coach in franchise history.

Arians is a two-time Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year, earning the award in 2012 (Indianapolis Colts) and in 2014 (Arizona Cardinals). He is the only coach in NFL history to earn the award multiple times in a three-year span with different teams and is one of only 12 coaches in NFL history to win the award multiple times.

“Bruce Arians is one of the NFL’s most well-respected coaches over the past two decades and we are excited to have him leading our team. Throughout this process, we focused on finding the right coach with a proven ability to elevate our players and lead our team forward. Bruce has played a large role in the development and career success of some of our league’s best players and we look forward to seeing him continue that work here with our franchise,” said Buccaneers Owner/Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer.

Prior to arriving in Tampa, Arians spent five seasons as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals (2013-17) in addition to a 12-game stint as interim head coach for the Indianapolis Colts (2012), compiling a regular season record of 58-33-1. During that 92-game stretch Arians was a head coach, his 58 wins ranked fourth in the NFL, trailing only Bill Belichick (73), Pete Carroll (63) and Mike Tomlin (59).

Throughout his 25-year NFL career, Arians has worked closely with some of the league’s top passers including Pro Bowlers Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer. As an offensive play-caller, Arians has directed top-10 offenses with three different teams (Arizona, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh) over the last nine seasons of his coaching career.

During his time in Arizona, the York, Pennsylvania native compiled a 49-30-1 regular season record (.619 winning percentage). The Cardinals’ 49 wins during that span were the seventh-most in the NFL and the third-most in the NFC. Arians won 50 total games in Arizona (49 regular season, one postseason), finishing his time there as the winningest coach in franchise history. His 49 regular season wins are also the most by any coach in Cardinals history.

Arians posted three seasons with double-digit wins as the head coach of the Cardinals, including tying the then-franchise best with 11 in 2014. The following season, Arizona established a new franchise record with 13 wins, which also featured the team’s first-ever postseason bye and second-ever appearance in the NFC Championship Game.

Under Arians, the Cardinals offense set several single-season team records, including points scored (489 in 2015), total touchdowns (59 in 2015), total net yards (6,533 in 2015) and first downs (373 in 2015). Arians also helped coach individual players to some of the best seasons of their careers. In 2015, Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer set franchise records for passing yards (4,671), passing touchdowns (35), yards per attempt (8.70) and passer rating (104.6) en route to a Pro Bowl selection. In 2016, running back David Johnson established new team records for rushing touchdowns (16), total touchdowns (20) and yards from scrimmage (2,118), while leading the NFL in total touchdowns and yards from scrimmage. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald posted the top three seasons for receptions in Cardinals history under Arians and ranked third in the NFL in catches during that span.

Arians came to Arizona after spending the 2012 season with Indianapolis. Hired as the team’s offensive coordinator, he also served as the team’s interim coach for 12 games while head coach Chuck Pagano was treated for leukemia. He led the Colts to a 9-3 record and was selected as the 2012 AP NFL Coach of the Year. Indianapolis’ nine-win improvement (2-14 to 11-5) matched the third-largest single-season turnaround in NFL history.

Arians helped the Colts’ offense rank 10th in the NFL in yards (362.4 ypg) and seventh in passing yards (258.0 ypg). Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck – the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft – made the Pro Bowl and set rookie records for passing yards (4,374) and 300-yard passing games (six). He also established the NFL single-game rookie record for passing yards (433, 11/4 vs. Miami). Luck finished with the then-third-most passing touchdowns by a rookie in NFL history, with 23.

Prior to his time with the Colts, Arians spent eight seasons with the Steelers, five as offensive coordinator (2007-11) and three as the wide receivers coach (2004-06). During his tenure as the offensive coordinator, the Steelers had a 55-25 record, tying Green Bay for the second-best mark in the NFL during that span. Pittsburgh won three AFC North Division titles, two AFC Championships and earned a victory in Super Bowl XLIII over the Cardinals. Arians was also part of the Steelers’ Super Bowl XL win as the team’s wide receivers coach.

Under Arians’ guidance, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger put together some of the best seasons in team history, establishing a then-franchise record with 32 touchdown passes in 2007, recording a then-team record 4,328 passing yards in 2009 and registering a career-high and Steelers-record 104.1 passer rating in 2007. Roethlisberger earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2007 under Arians.

In 2009, the Steelers’ offense became the first team in NFL history to have a 4,000-yard passer (Roethlisberger), two 1,000-yard receivers (Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward) and a 1,000-yard rusher (Rashard Mendenhall) in the same season.

Before joining the Steelers, Arians spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns (2001-03). He joined Cleveland after spending three seasons with the Colts as the team’s quarterbacks coach. Working with offensive coordinator Tom Moore, Arians helped tutor Peyton Manning during his first three seasons in the league and helped him earn Pro Bowl berths in 1999 and 2000.

Arians’ first NFL job was with the Kansas City Chiefs, working as the team’s running backs coach for four seasons (1989-92). There he helped Christian Okoye to two Pro Bowl selections (1989, 1991). Arians also spent the 1996 season as the tight ends coach for the New Orleans Saints.

Arians’ coaching career began as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Virginia Tech, in 1975, before being elevated to running backs coach in 1977. He spent 1978-80 with Mississippi State as the school’s running backs/wide receivers coach before coaching the running backs at Alabama for two seasons (1981-82) under legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Arians would later return to Mississippi State (1993-95) and Alabama (1997) to serve as the offensive coordinator for the respective schools. He became one of the youngest head coaches in Division I history when Temple University hired him in 1983 at the age of 30. He spent six seasons coaching the Owls (1983-88).

Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Arians grew up in York, Pennsylvania, and played quarterback at Virginia Tech. He and his wife, Christine, have two children – son, Jake, and daughter, Kristi Anne, as well as a granddaughter, Presley and a grandson, Aiden.

ARIANS’ NFL HEAD COACHING CAREER

Year Team W L T Pct. Playoffs

2012 Indianapolis Colts* 9 3 0 .750

2013 Arizona Cardinals 10 6 0 .625

2014 Arizona Cardinals 11 5 0 .688 0-1

2015 Arizona Cardinals 13 3 0 .813 1-1

2016 Arizona Cardinals 7 8 1 .469

2017 Arizona Cardinals 8 8 0 .500

TOTALS 58 33 1 .639 1-2

*As an interim head coach, the NFL attributed all results to head coach Chuck Pagano.

ARIANS AT A GLANCE

YEARS HEAD COACH

1972-74 Virginia Tech, Player Charlie Coffey/Jimmy Sharpe

1975-76 Virginia Tech, Graduate Assistant Jimmy Sharpe

1977 Virginia Tech, Running Backs Jimmy Sharpe

1978-80 Mississippi State, Running Backs/Wide Receivers Bob Tyler/Emory Bellard

1981-82 Alabama, Running Backs Paul “Bear” Bryant

1983-88 Temple, Head Coach

1989-92 Kansas City Chiefs, Running Backs Marty Schottenheimer

1993-95 Mississippi State, Offensive Coordinator Jackie Sherrill

1996 New Orleans Saints, Tight Ends Jim Mora/Rick Venturi

1997 Alabama, Offensive Coordinator Mike Dubose

1998-2000 Indianapolis Colts, Quarterbacks Jim Mora

2001-03 Cleveland Browns, Offensive Coordinator Butch Davis

2004-06 Pittsburgh Steelers, Wide Receivers Bill Cowher

2007-11 Pittsburgh Steelers, Offensive Coordinator Mike Tomlin

2012 Indianapolis Colts, Offensive Coordinator/Interim Head Coach Chuck Pagano

2013-17 Arizona Cardinals, Head Coach

2019- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Head Coach

Notable Players Under Arians

John Abraham

· Pro Bowl Selection (2013)

Budda Baker

· First-team AP All-Pro (2017)

· Pro Bowl Selection (2017)

· PFWA All-Rookie Selection (2017)

Justin Bethel

· 2x First-team AP All-Pro (2013, 2015)

· 3x Pro Bowl Selection (2013-15)

Antonio Brown

· Pro Bowl Selection (2011)

Calais Campbell

· 2x Second-team AP All-Pro (2014, 2016)

· 2x Pro Bowl Selection (2014-15)

Alan Faneca

· First-team AP All-Pro (2007)

· Second-team AP All-Pro (2008)

· 3x Pro Bowl Selection (2007-09)

Larry Fitzgerald

· 4x Pro Bowl Selection (2013, 2015-17)

David Johnson

· First-team AP All-Pro (2016)

· Pro Bowl Selection (2016)

Chandler Jones

· First-team AP All-Pro (2017)

· Pro Bowl Selection (2017)

Andrew Luck

· Pro Bowl Selection (2012)

Peyton Manning

· 2x Pro Bowl Selection (1999-2000)

Tyrann Mathieu

· First-team AP All-Pro (2015)

· Pro Bowl Selection (2015)

· PFWA All-Rookie Team (2013)

Heath Miller

· Pro Bowl Selection (2009)

Christian Okoye

· First-team AP All-Pro (1989)

· Second-team AP All-Pro (1991)

· 2x Pro Bowl Selection (1989, 1991)

· AFC Offensive Player of the Year (1989)

Willie Parker

· Pro Bowl Selection (2007)

Carson Palmer

· Second-team AP All-Pro (2015)

· Pro Bowl Selection (2015)

Patrick Peterson

· 2x First-team AP All-Pro (2013, 2015)

· 5x Pro Bowl Selection (2013-17)

Maurkice Pouncey

· First-team AP All-Pro (2011)

· Second-team AP All-Pro (2010)

· 2x Pro Bowl Selection (2010-11)

Ben Roethlisberger

· 2x Pro Bowl Selection (2007, 2011)

Mike Wallace

· Pro Bowl Selection (2011)

Hines Ward

· Second-team AP All-Pro (2004)

· Pro Bowl Selection (2004)

Reggie Wayne

· Pro Bowl Selection (2012)

 

Offensive Milestones Under Arians

Arizona Cardinals

· Most points scored in a season in team history (489 in 2015).

· Most yards gained in a season in team history (6,533 in 2015).

· Most touchdowns scored in a season in team history (58 in 2015).

· Most passing touchdowns in a season in team history (35 in 2015).

· Most first downs in a season in team history (373 in 2015).

· Most passing first downs in a single season in team history (237 in 2015).

Pittsburgh Steelers

· Then-most passing touchdowns in a season in team history (34 in 2007).

· Then-highest passer rating in a season in team history (99.9 in 2007).

· Then-highest completion percentage in team history (65.5 in 2009).

· Then-highest third-down conversion rate (46.8 percent in 2007).

Larry Fitzgerald

· Most receptions in a season in team history (109 in 2015 & 2017).

· Led NFL in receptions (107 in 2016)

David Johnson

· Most rushing touchdowns in a single season in team history (16 in 2016).

· Most touchdowns in a single season in team history (20 in 2016).

· Most yards from scrimmage in a single season in team history (2,118 in 2016).

· Led NFL in total touchdowns (20 in 2016).

· Led NFL in scrimmage yards (2,118 2016).

Peyton Manning

· Led NFL in passing yards (4,413 in 2000).

· Tied for NFL lead in passing touchdowns (33 in 2000).

Carson Palmer

· Most passing touchdowns in a season in team history (35 in 2015).

· Most passing yards in a season in team history (4,671 in 2015).

· Highest passer rating in a season in team history (104.6 in 2015).

· Highest yards per attempt in a season in team history (8.70 in 2015).

· Led NFL in yards per attempt (8.7 in 2015).

Christian Okoye

· Then-most rushing yards in a season in team history (1,480 in 1989).

· Led NFL in rushing yards (1,480 1989).

Ben Roethlisberger

· Highest passer rating in a season in team history (104.1 in 2007).

· Then-most passing touchdowns in a season in team history (32 in 2007).

· Then-highest completion percentage in a season in team history (66.60 in 2009).

NFL Leaders In Winning Percentage (2013-17)

Rk Team Wins

1. New England Patriots .788 (63-17-0)

2. Seattle Seahawks .681 (54-25-1)

3. Kansas City Chiefs .663 (53-27-0)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers .663 (53-27-0)

5. Carolina Panthers .644 (51-28-1)

6. Denver Broncos .638 (51-29-0)

7. Arizona Cardinals .619 (49-30-1)

8. Green Bay Packers .594 (47-32-1)

9. Cincinnati Bengals .588 (46-32-2)

9. Philadelphia Eagles .588 (47-33-0)

NFL Head Coaches From Week 5, 2012-Week 17, 2017

Rk Coach (Team) W-L

1. Bill Belichick (New England) 73-19

2. Pete Carroll (Seattle) 63-28-1

3. Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh) 59-33

4. Bruce Arians (Arizona/Indianapolis) 58-33-1

5. Ron Rivera (Carolina) 57-34-1

6. Mike McCarthy (Green Bay) 56-35-1

7. Andy Reid (Philadelphia/Kansas City) 54-38

8. Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati) 53-37-2

Most Wins In Arizona Cardinals Franchise History

(Including Postseason)

Rk Coach (Years) Wins

1. Bruce Arians (2013-17) 50

2. Ken Whisenhunt (2007-12) 49

3. Don Coryell (1973-77) 42

4. Jim Hanifan (1980-85) 39

5. Charley Winner (1966-70) 35

5. Jimmy Conzelman (1940-42, 46-48) 35

Most Regular Season Wins In Arizona Cardinals Franchise History

Rk Coach (Years) Wins

1. Bruce Arians (2013-17) 49

2. Ken Whisenhunt (2007-12) 45

3. Don Coryell (1973-77) 42

4. Jim Hanifan (1980-85) 39

5. Charley Winner (1966-70) 35

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Jacksonville

Jaguars Shutout Panthers Without QB Lawrence

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Photo credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) shutout the Carolina Panthers (2-14) 26-0 in their final home game at EverBank Stadium today. The Jaguars had lost four games in a row prior to today’s victory. But with today’s win, the Jaguars secured their second consecutive winning season for the first time since 2004-05. QB Trevor Lawrence missed his first NFL game after starting 51 in a row before today, because of a sprained throwing shoulder. Lawrence left early in three of his last four games with injuries. C.J Beathard made his first start at quarterback in three years.

QB C.J. Beathard. Photo credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

Beathard looked comfortable leading the Jaguars downfield on the first drive of the game, which ended in a 35 yard K Brandon McManus field goal to put the Jags up 3-0, which remained the score of the end of the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, McManus added a 26 yard field goal, extending the Jags lead to 6-0. Soon after, LB Josh Allen sacked Panthers QB Bryce Young to tie Calais Campbell for the Jaguars’ franchise single season record of 14.5 sacks. Late in the second quarter, McManus kicked a 24 yard field goal, to put the Jags ahead 9-0. Shortly afterwards, Allen added another sack of Bryce Young, to claim sole possession of the team record at 15.5 sacks. The Jaguars defense continued to hold the Panthers scoreless, limiting the team to 34 yards in total for the first two quarters, as the score remained 9-0 at halftime.

LB Josh Allen sets Jags’ single season sacks record. Photo credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

In the third quarter, RB Travis Etienne Jr. ran for a 62 yard touchdown, his tenth of the year. McManus added the extra point, as the Jags led 16-0. Beathard had an impressive 19 yard run midway through the third, but was taken out of the game by officials because he looked a little wobbly getting up, and went to the medical tent for evaluation. 33 year old QB Matt Barkley, who was signed earlier this week, warmed up for the Jaguars. Panthers LB Marquis Haynes Sr., who tackled Beathard, was badly injured on the play, and had to be taken off the field on a golf cart. Barkley led the Jaguars for one play, but Beathard was able to return to the field on the next down. That drive ended with a 34 yard McManus field goal, extending the lead to 19-0, which remained the score at the end of the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, Allen added his third sack of the game, taking down Young, and extending his single season record to 16.5 sacks. Etienne added a one yard run for a touchdown on a play that was initially called a fumble, but was reversed on review and ruled a TD. With the XP from McManus, the Jaguars were up 26-0. Jaguars rookie S Antonio Johnson had an impressive interception of a Bryce Young pass late in the game. On the next drive, the Jaguars put in QB Matt Barkley to finish the game, and avoid any risk to C.J. Beathard’s health.

C.J. Beathard finished with 178 yards. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 102 yards and 2 touchdowns. Evan Engram was the leading receiver with 60 yards.

The Jaguars head to Tennessee to face the Titans on Sunday, 1/7, for their final game of the regular season. Kickoff time has not yet been scheduled. The Jaguars are trying to make the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 1998-99. A victory against the Titans will give the Jaguars the AFC South division title. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

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Jacksonville

Ravens Soar To Victory Over Jaguars 23-7

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Photo credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Baltimore Ravens (11-3) beat the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) 23-7 to remain at the top of the AFC. With tonight’s loss, the Jags are now tied for first in the AFC South with the Colts and the Texans. This was the Jaguars’ first Sunday Night Football game in 15 years. The Jags’ last SNF game was 10/5/2008 when they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-21.

The Ravens were the first to score on a 43 yard K Justin Tucker field goal. The Jaguars had a chance to tie it up on the next drive, but K Brandon McManus hit the right upright on a 50 yard field goal attempt. The score remained 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.

McManus had an opportunity to redeem himself, but missed a 55 yard field goal wide left on the Jags’ first drive of the second quarter. Late in the second, Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson completed a 16 yard touchdown pass to TE Isaiah Likely, followed by Tucker’s extra point, to put the Ravens ahead 10-0. The Jaguars came close to scoring, but ran out of time at the half.

Midway through the third quarter, the Jaguars put their first points on the board on a 65 yard QB Trevor Lawrence to WR Jamal Agnew touchdown pass, followed by MacManus’ extra point. The score remained 10-7 at the end of the third quarter.

The Ravens started the fourth quarter with a one yard RB Gus Edwards touchdown run, while Tucker added the XP. Tucker kicked a 26 yard field goal, and later a 34 yarder to put the Ravens ahead 23-7.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 264 yards and 1 touchdown. Lawrence also led the Jaguars’ rushing with 41 yards. Jamal Agnew was the leading receiver with 70 yards and 1 touchdown.

Tonight’s attendance was 68,021. The Jaguars head to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers on Sunday, 12/24. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. The Jaguars return to “The Bank” to face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, 12/31 at 1:00 p.m. for their final home game of the regular season. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

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Jacksonville

Jaguars Mauled by Bengals 34-31 in OT

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Photo by Roman Garay / Florida National News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) lost to the Cincinnati Bengals (6-6) 34-31 in the Jags’ first Monday Night Football game in 12 years. The Jaguars created a “Light Up The Bank” light show during player introductions to hype up the crowd for this prime time game watched by a national audience, but several injuries proved to be too much for the team to overcome.

 

On the second play of the game, the Jaguars’ CB Tre Herndon left the game for concussion protocol. Just minutes later, the Jaguars’ WR Christian Kirk suffered a groin injury which kept him out of the rest of the game. Despite these injuries, the Jags were the first to score tonight, as RB Travis Etienne Jr. ran 4 yards for a touchdown, followed by the extra point from K Brandon McManus. The Bengals’ K Evan McPherson (University of Florida alum) attempted a 57 yard field goal, but hit the crossbar and missed. At the end of the first quarter, the Jaguars were ahead 7-0.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence completed a 22 yard touchdown pass to TE Evan Engram, for his first TD of the season. Photo by Roman Garay / Florida National News

In the second quarter, the Jaguars’ FS Andre Cisco left the game with a shoulder injury. Two plays later, the Bengals’ HB Joe Mixon ran 6 yards for a touchdown, and McPherson added the extra point, tying the game 7-7. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence later completed a 22 yard touchdown pass to TE Evan Engram, for his first TD of the season. McManus added the XP, to put the Jags ahead 14-7. Andre Cisco was able to return to the game, but Mixon scored a touchdown soon after for the Bengals, running 2 yards into the end zone, followed by McPherson’s extra point, tying the game 14-14 heading into halftime.

In the third quarter, Bengals QB Jake Browning completed a 76 yard touchdown pass to WR Ja’Marr Chase, and McPherson added the XP to put the Bengals up 21-14. The Jaguars responded with a 14 yard Lawrence to WR Parker Washington touchdown pass, and XP by McManus, tying the game 21-21. The Jaguars’ LB Josh Allen intercepted a Bengals’ WR Tyler Boyd pass intended for Joe Mixon. The Jaguars capitalized on that interception with a touchdown run by Trevor Lawrence to end that scoring drive, and with McManus’ extra point, the Jags were ahead 28-21 at the end of the third quarter.

The Bengals scored on a 1 yard Jake Browning touchdown run, and McPherson added the XP, to tie the game 28-28. Another injury followed for the Jaguars soon after, as Trevor Lawrence had to be helped off the field after what looked like a painful ankle injury that kept him out for the remainder of the game, as he was replaced with QB C.J. Beathard. McManus attempted a 48 yard field goal, which went wide to the right. Soon after, McPherson kicked a 54 yard field goal to put the Bengals ahead 31-28. The Jaguars’ next scoring drive ended with a 40 yard McManus field goal, tying the game 31-31, with just 26 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The Bengals were unable to score before the clock ran out, and the game went into overtime.

The Jaguars won the coin toss and elected to receive. A holding call against the Jaguars reversed what could have been a 43 yard Beathard pass to WR Calvin Ridley. P Logan Cooke punted two plays later. The Bengals scoring drive ended with a 48 yard McPherson field goal, as the Bengals defeated the Jaguars 34-31.

The Jaguars’ last Monday night game was 12/5/2011 when they lost to the San Diego Chargers 38-14. The Jaguars now have an all-time record of 8-8 on Monday nights. Cincinnati is now 4-20 in road Monday Night Football games. Before tonight’s win, their last victory in a MNF road game was in 1990.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 258 yards and 2 touchdowns. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 45 yards and 1 touchdown. Evan Engram was the leading receiver with 82 yards and 1 touchdown.

Tonight’s attendance was 67,951. The Jaguars head to Cleveland to face the Browns on Sunday, 12/10. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The Jaguars return to “The Bank” to face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, 12/17 at 8:15 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

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