NFL 2015
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<p>Green Bay Packers suffer a big pre-season loss - WR Jordy Nelson is out for the season with a knee injury. Houston Texans have chosen former Browns QB Brian Hoyer over Ryan Mallett. Both started as back up QBs to Tom Brady. </p>
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Yeah I reckon they'll take him as a punt return as its a lower risk option but has huge highlight reel potential. There could be big marketing potential as well with Aussies buying 49ers gear etc. <br><br>
I gotta say I'm getting excited for the season and the Hayne factor is definitely contributing to the excitement. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="510813" data-time="1440418615">
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<p>It is an amazing thing for americans to see a lateral pass in football. Basically it is seen as a trick play, I've never seen one in the pros, only at college level, from one non QB player to another</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>There are laterals, but almost always from the hand of the QB to the RB. It's an option pass or a sweep, and if you watch enough NFL you'll see plenty. The trick-plays, as you say, are things like reverse "flea-flickers," etc., where the ball is tossed between QB, RB and/or a WR who then throws the ball deep. American spectators lose their shit any time a ball is moved between three sets of hands (and I'm not counting the center snap).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bondibludger" data-cid="510800" data-time="1440415796">
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<p>Possession is just treasured so highly - it would take a coach with a massive risk tolerance to call the play during an actual game (even a college game). </p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Possession is EVERY-THING. Turnovers are the WORST. That is why the game is played so tight and safe. The coach is playing for his job, and elevated risks usually get them fired. If an athlete starts throwing the ball around in open-play, that will get the athlete and the coach fired. The only athletes who can change plays called by the sideline are veteran HoF-level QBs, like Brady & Manning, and they are usually calling audibles only because they don't like the way the defense is schemed (and sometimes in the "hurry-up" a.k.a. "no-huddle" offense.) I could be wrong, but seems to me the last two QBs who were regularly permitted to call their own offensive plays on complete drives were Jim Kelly (Bills) in the 1990s, and before him Terry Bradshaw (Steelers) in the 1970s. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="510792" data-time="1440414589">
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<p>Preface: I have a very basic understanding of the game of <strong>grid iron</strong>, but none of its intricacies.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Just 'cos it's a small pet-peeve of mine, and because this is the 21st century, the game is "American Football" and never called grid-iron (certainly not in the past 50 years). (Ratpoo or a Herald sub-editor made same mistake today, made me groan.)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sometimes, and then only very rarely, will somebody (a commentator, maybe) refer to the <em>surface</em> or <em>playing field</em> as a "grid-iron," but never the game itself.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>No big deal, shurely, and I would say you are correct. But then I get equally irritated when people up here call <em>my code</em> "rugger." For many years people up here actually believed that's what the sport was called, although that has mostly evaporated the past 20 years as the globe has gotten smaller. Certainly few can probably tell the difference between Union and League, yet most here can now uniformly recognise the game as "rugby" and blessedly it seldom-if-ever gets called "rugger" any longer.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And thankfully, nobody up here as far as I can tell has ever called the game "paddock" or "pitch" or "field" (although a certain expat Sydney Swans supporter up here always calls it "outdoor wrestling.")</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sneakdefreak" data-cid="507531" data-time="1439270117">
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<p>Btw anyone playing fantasy football this year?</p>
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<p> always! who else?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="red terror" data-cid="511228" data-time="1440599701"><p>There are laterals, but almost always from the hand of the QB to the RB. It's an option pass or a sweep, and if you watch enough NFL you'll see plenty. The trick-plays, as you say, are things like reverse "flea-flickers," etc., where the ball is tossed between QB, RB and/or a WR who then throws the ball deep. American spectators lose their shit any time a ball is moved between three sets of hands (and I'm not counting the center snap).</p></blockquote>I'm referring to lateral passes that happen when the ball has passed the line of scrimmage, and stipulated passes not made by QBs....
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">always! who else?</span></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>It appears no one else. The mighty TSF league might have to go on hiatus this year.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="red terror" data-cid="511230" data-time="1440600831">
<div>
<p>Just 'cos it's a small pet-peeve of mine, and because this is the 21st century, the game is "American Football" and never called grid-iron (certainly not in the past 50 years). (Ratpoo or a Herald sub-editor made same mistake today, made me groan.)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sometimes, and then only very rarely, will somebody (a commentator, maybe) refer to the <em>surface</em> or <em>playing field</em> as a "grid-iron," but never the game itself.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>No big deal, shurely, and I would say you are correct. But then I get equally irritated when people up here call <em>my code</em> "rugger." For many years people up here actually believed that's what the sport was called, although that has mostly evaporated the past 20 years as the globe has gotten smaller. Certainly few can probably tell the difference between Union and League, yet most here can now uniformly recognise the game as "rugby" and blessedly it seldom-if-ever gets called "rugger" any longer.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And thankfully, nobody up here as far as I can tell has ever called the game "paddock" or "pitch" or "field" (although a certain expat Sydney Swans supporter up here always calls it "outdoor wrestling.")</p>
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<p>I love that he called it "gridiron!"</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was chatting with a guy in NZ 10 years ago (has it really been that long... :morning: ) and he called it that...I though it was very cool.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You know what my pet peeve is? People here in the US trying to "Euro-ize" their soccer teams' names to make them sound more important...they call them "F.C. this $ that" and "blah blah Union" and "whatever United." Total douche move, because no one in the history of organized sports in this country every called a sports team any of those things until we started seeing Euro soccer here in TV. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Did I mention I'm not really a soccer fan? World Cup soccer got disturbingly trendy here last time around, while the RWC will once again get no attention whatsoever. Meanwhile, there is no question which is better to watch.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway, don't sleep on the Bills. They've upgraded at coach, rb, wr, ol, from last year's 9-7. If they can somehow go from the bottom to the top 20 in QB play, they will be a 10-11 win team.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Unless of course, they get ravaged by injuries, which can certainly happen (didn't last year, which is a big reason they won what they did), and makes this sport so absurdly unpredictable.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">World Cup soccer got disturbingly trendy here last time around, while the RWC will once again get no attention whatsoever.</span></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>It's because of all those fucken hipsters, the ISIS of everyday life*.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:10px;">*Unless you live in Syria, then it is probably just ISIS.</span></p> -
<p>Real Salt Lake is one of my ultimate worst names. Sporting KC as well</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Emerican AB" data-cid="511666" data-time="1440761841">
<div>You know what my pet peeve is? People here in the US trying to "Euro-ize" their soccer teams' names to make them sound more important.</div>
<div> </div>
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I'll probably get vilified on here for being racist but the above posts made me think of this blog <br><br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2010/06/01/133-the-world-cup/'>http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2010/06/01/133-the-world-cup/</a> -
<p>I watched some of the warm-up game between Tampa Bay and Cincinnati. Now THAT was an average game of football. The commentators were scathing of Tampa's execution, and they were up 14-0 at the time! That tells you something about the dross that the Bengals produced.</p>
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<p>running with blockers would be a hard thing to get used to I reckon, having other players running at you and then watching for yours to run alongside/behind to deal to their defensive lines would be a new learning for your peripherals and spatial awareness.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="511984" data-time="1440904385">
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<p>running with blockers would be a hard thing to get used to I reckon, having other players running at you and then watching for yours to run alongside/behind to deal to their defensive lines would be a new learning for your peripherals and spatial awareness.</p>
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<p>Not to mention you are wearing a helmet which takes away a decent amount of awareness of things to the side of you I'd imagine</p> -
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/71624386/league-convert-jarryd-hayne-survives-first-roster-cut-at-the-san-francisco-49ers'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/71624386/league-convert-jarryd-hayne-survives-first-roster-cut-at-the-san-francisco-49ers</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Survived the first cut. Final cut on the 5th of September.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Man I hope he makes it.</p>
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<p>What courage to leave a sport as one of the top guys and probably one of the best paid to chance it in a completely differnt sport. Wicked self awareness! Love it!</p> -
<p>Looking at the remaining RBs it seems likely Hayne will make the final 53 man roster, although it is a massive cut coming on Sept 5 when it drops from 75 to 53.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My guess is the 49ers will have 5 - 6 running backs in the final squad.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Carlos Hyde</strong> is the lead running back and <strong>Reggie Bush</strong> will be his back up. That means Reggie will arguably see lesser time on kick and punt returns which bodes well for Jarryd. <strong>Bruce Miller </strong>will be the blocking fullback for the side so he's in. <strong>Kendall Hunter</strong> and <strong>Mike Davis </strong>are similar sized players so both are probably fighting for the same spot. My guess is Davis makes the team and Hunter is cut. The other two RBs are <strong>Kendall Gaskins</strong> and fullback <strong>Trey Millard</strong>. Gaskins will be cut but Millard could make the squad as a back up fullback but my guess is he's gone. So <strong>Jarryd Hayne</strong> makes the squad as the 4th ranked RB and main kick and punt returner with Bush and wide receiver Bruce Ellington backing him up there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So looking at the RB position for the San Francisco 49ers:</p>
<p>Lead: Hyde</p>
<p>Back up: Bush</p>
<p>3rd down: Davis</p>
<p>Blocking: Miller</p>
<p>Special Teams: Hayne</p> -
<p>Gee, reading your post Sneak, it makes the position seem underwhelming to me. I struggle to see how you could enjoy the sport more than the glam?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Gee, reading your post Sneak, it makes the position seem underwhelming to me. <strong>I struggle to see how you could enjoy the sport more than the glam</strong>?</span></div>
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<p> </p>
<p>This from the man who enjoys watching midgets in pyjamas ride farm animals around a grass track.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I view American Football as my cricket. Takes forever, they wear helmets and pads, there are a lot of stats and half the team stands around doing nothing for most of the game. But it is enjoyable, I swear! (and fills in the NRL off season quite nicely) :)</p> -
<p>Sorry! I mean the players, not the audience.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I mean in a game how many opportunities would Hayne likely get to run the ball? That's what I mean bout enjoying the glamour of the sport more than playing it. (if that makes sense)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sneakdefreak" data-cid="512755" data-time="1441068379">
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<p>This from the man who enjoys watching midgets in pyjamas ride farm animals around a grass track.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Brilliant description!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I mean in a game how many opportunities would Hayne likely get to run the ball?</span></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>More than the 3rd down back but less than the lead and back up RBs (Hyde should get 20-30 carries, Bush 10-12 carries). Playing on special teams means he'll get half a dozen chances but not as many as he would in rugby league (although he played on some awful Parramatta teams where he got zero ball).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sneakdefreak" data-cid="512755" data-time="1441068379">
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<p>This from the man who enjoys watching midgets in pyjamas ride farm animals around a grass track.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I view American Football as my cricket. Takes forever, they wear helmets and pads, there are a lot of stats and half the team stands around doing nothing for most of the game. But it is enjoyable, I swear! (and fills in the NRL off season quite nicely) :)</p>
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<p>Don't get me wrong, I can see why the Audience like it. I like superbowl and watch it sometimes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was referring to the players like Hayne and wonder how much enjoyment they get out of the match in terms of actually playing</p>
<p> </p>
<p>EDIT: Just seen your reply. That's a few more than I thought</p> -
<p>I think if he can make Special Teams and then get the odd RB opportunity, we will see a bit of him. The average number of punts per team, per game last season was around the 5 mark. Some teams last season were above 6. He will get his opportunities if he makes it of course </p>
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<p>Last season the 49ers were ranked 29th (out of 32) for average yards gained per punt return with 6.5 yards. Their longest was 23 yards. Either there's some bad blocking going on there or they had no one that could spot the gap and really take it. Their kickoff return averages were pretty good though compared with the rest of the NFL, they were ranked 9th with an average of 24.5 yards per return.</p>
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<p>All the talk is about the Hayne Plane but we should be talking more about an Auckland boy who is with the Arizona Cardinals. Paul Lasike is a rookie fullback who was playing rugby for BYU before switching to American Football. Think he played for Waikato rugby rep teams too Hooroo.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Arizona Cardinals running back situation is more messy than the 49ers since they don't really have a lead RB at this point but Lasike is in competition with Robert Hughes for the blocking FB position.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If he makes it he will be the third NZer to play in the NFL behind Riki Ellison and Dave Dixon.</p> -
<p>So at this point, if Hayne somehow doesn't make the 49ers someone else is likely to pick him up, yeah?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="513062" data-time="1441196627">
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<p>So at this point, if Hayne somehow doesn't make the 49ers someone else is likely to pick him up, yeah?</p>
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<p>Very likely IMHO, he's turning heads with his ESPN highlight reels</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sneakdefreak" data-cid="513061" data-time="1441194913">
<div>
<p>All the talk is about the Hayne Plane but we should be talking more about an Auckland boy who is with the Arizona Cardinals. Paul Lasike is a rookie fullback who was playing rugby for BYU before switching to American Football. Think he played for Waikato rugby rep teams too Hooroo.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Arizona Cardinals running back situation is more messy than the 49ers since they don't really have a lead RB at this point but Lasike is in competition with Robert Hughes for the blocking FB position.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If he makes it he will be the third NZer to play in the NFL behind Riki Ellison and Dave Dixon.</p>
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<p>Only 3? I thought there was more, although a few were born in NZ and left pretty early - a couple of Island guys? Also does Ngai Tahu's Rhett Ellison not count as a NZer? (I assume he's visited at least ;)).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sneakdefreak" data-cid="513061" data-time="1441194913">
<div>
<p>All the talk is about the Hayne Plane but we should be talking more about an Auckland boy who is with the Arizona Cardinals. Paul Lasike is a rookie fullback who was playing rugby for BYU before switching to American Football. Think he played for Waikato rugby rep teams too Hooroo.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>I posted a link to an article about Lasike in the NFL 2014 thread.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/index.php/topic/40209-nfl-2014/page-12'>http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/index.php/topic/40209-nfl-2014/page-12</a></p> -
<p>Unbelievable, but true.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:18px;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://deadspin.com/judge-overturns-tom-bradys-suspension-1728456783'>Judge Overturns Tom Brady's Suspension </a></span></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="red terror" data-cid="513255" data-time="1441292563">
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<p>Unbelievable, but true.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:18px;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://deadspin.com/judge-overturns-tom-bradys-suspension-1728456783'>Judge Overturns Tom Brady's Suspension </a></span></p>
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<p> </p>
<p>The tinfoil hat wearers will be out in force shortly ... </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Edit: On other fora, obviously</p> -
<p>Called it correctly in the NFL 2014 thread that he wouldn't miss the opening game and that is the right move for everyone. But mostly me since Brady is starting QB in my fantasy team :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope you don't work at a bank either RT :)</p>
<p> </p>
<div> </div>
<div>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="red terror" data-cid="490051" data-time="1431498132">
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<p>There's no precedent for the suspension. I suppose he could drag out an appeal to make opening day, but that would be a bad idea. And if he does "win" on appeal, the suspension will be knocked down a game, maybe two at most. He's sitting a minimum of two games. Take it to the bank.</p>
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<p>True, but NFL is appealing. Will be interesting to see where it lands.</p>
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<p>I have always had an interest but not always the pay tv connection to follow on a regular basis. I've recently gotten right back in to the NBA because of Steven Adams and now because of Hayne(plus Im a grown ass man and can afford pay TV) I am seriously interested in the NFL.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Was a Raiders fan because I was a rap fan then followed the Packers because they won a lot. Now I have no affiliation and just want to watch this season and decide on which team to follow based on style of play.</p> -
<p>Love this quote from a Slate artice re DeflateGate:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"<span style="color:rgb(40,27,33);font-family:'sl-Apres', helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:15px;"> All of this was done for the purported purpose of protecting the fairness and integrity of a league that includes a team whose name is a racial slur</span>"</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="513352" data-time="1441329841">
<div>
<p>I have always had an interest but not always the pay tv connection to follow on a regular basis. I've recently gotten right back in to the NBA because of Steven Adams and now because of Hayne(plus Im a grown ass man and can afford pay TV) I am seriously interested in the NFL.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Was a Raiders fan because I was a rap fan then followed the Packers because they won a lot. Now I have no affiliation and just want to watch this season and decide on which team to follow based on style of play.</p>
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</blockquote>
<p>I'm a Patriots fan, started following them in 1998 when I spent 3 months in Boston - was a good time to start supporting them I guess as the success was just around the corner.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Although, TBH I prefer the history of NFL etc to following the seasons accurately ... I only really keep up near Superbowl time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I used to love playing Madden though.</p> -
<p>Hayne with a few highlights again today. Flattening a defensive back after a catch looked good for the highlight reel. Couple of nice runs, and a tackle on punt coverage. He's certainly giving this a real shake. </p>
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<p>Yep Hayne looks likely to take Kendall Hunter's spot on the 53 man squad. Hunter on the come back from an ACL injury but doesn't seem to be the same player. Plus while not as polished, Hayne looks versatile. </p>
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<p>Noted that while people are loving the novelty of seeing a guy run back everything of the punt the experts are now starting to ask if Hayne knows when to leave the ball and when its on to catch.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>He picked up a bouncing ball of a punt where most returners apparently would have left it(Im not an expert) and only made 5 yards. If he leaves the ball his team goes to the 20 yard line automatically. If he fumbles the ball the ball it gets worse from there.</p>
<p>So while some are loving his athleticism and America is being forced to admit that there are in fact athletes from other countries who may be pretty good there are just as many people, smart people who can see the chinks in his armour and his progress must be tempered by the fact he isn't playing against the super stars of the sport yet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My worst thought for Hayne is that he gets a sky high punt that allows one of these 10 second runners to get to him and they fold him in half. Being negative gets old though. Loving this story and I hope he gets the opportunity prove himself against the best.</p>
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