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		<title>So many questions and concerns when it comes to the Cowboys offensive line</title>
		<link>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/so-many-questions-and-concerns-when-it-comes-to-the-cowboys-offensive-line.html</link>
		<comments>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/so-many-questions-and-concerns-when-it-comes-to-the-cowboys-offensive-line.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 15:24:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob V.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cowboys Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cowboys Thoughts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dallas cowboys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Doug Free]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tyron Smith]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lonestarstruck.com/?p=15028</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the biggest concerns after the 2011 season was the state of the Cowboys offensive line. On many occasions last season it seemed as though opposing teams were in the Cowboys backfield more than the Cowboys were. Without a solid offensive line the running game suffers which then leads to problems with the passing game. Even with all the moves the Cowboys have made with the line this off season there are still so [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One of the biggest concerns after the 2011 season was the state of the Cowboys offensive line. On many occasions last season it seemed as though opposing teams were in the Cowboys backfield more than the Cowboys were. Without a solid offensive line the running game suffers which then leads to problems with the passing game. Even with all the moves the Cowboys have made with the line this off season there are still so many questions and concerns about whether or not the line will be improved in 2012. The Cowboys announced that Tyron Smith and Doug Free will be switching sides at tackle and then they went out and signed guards Mackenzy Bernadeau and Nate Livings through free agency. There is also a question about the center position as well and if Phil Costa, who struggled at times in 2011 will hold onto the job. Should Cowboys fans really expect improvement in 2012 with all these questions still out there or should it be considered a work in progress? With so many changes coming there has to be a level of concern.</p>
<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/01/2011-dallas-cowboys-player-analysis-offense.html/dallas-cowboys-v-minnesota-vikings" rel="attachment wp-att-14465"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-14465" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/tyron-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Let&#8217;s start with the tackles. Tyron Smith had a solid rookie season playing on the right side and now the Cowboys believe he is ready to move to the left side to protect Tony Romo&#8217;s blind side. That means Doug Free who struggled at times in 2011 will move back to the right side where he played in 2010. Can Smith, who is only 21 years old be expected to adapt quickly to the left side after being in the NFL for only one season? Will Free get back to how he played back in 2010 on the right side? Even though the tackles are set for the Cowboys offensive line there are still questions that can’t be ignored.</p>
<p>At the guard positions the Cowboys had players like Kyle Kosier, Montrae Holland, Bill Nagy and Derrick Dockery playing in 2011. All are gone from the team except for Nagy. With the contracts that Bernadeau and Livings signed one would think they would be stepping right in at the tackle positions. But hold on a minute, it was just announced that Bernadeau just had hip surgery that will keep him out until the middle of August if not longer. He is going to miss important time with the rest of the offensive linemen in the  OTAs and training camp. Although Bernadeau is a four year veteran how can he not fall behind the others and once he gets back on the field how fast will he be able to catch up? Livings is a four year veteran just like Bernadeau and will most likely start at the left guard position. Behind Bernadeau and Livings are players just waiting to show they can start for the Cowboys. There will be competition throughout camp between Bill Nagy, who only played in four games in 2011 before getting injured, David Arkin who was inactive all of 2011 and undrafted rookie free agent Ronald Leary. There is so much inexperience between those three players that it has to be a concern for the Cowboys.</p>
<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/01/2011-dallas-cowboys-player-analysis-offense.html/nfl-st-louis-rams-at-dallas-cowboys" rel="attachment wp-att-14464"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-14464" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Phil-Costa2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Phil Costa started all of 2011 at center and looks to keep his job in 2012. But Jason Garrett has let it be known that the competition will be open. That means players like David Arkin and Kevin Kowalski will be given every opportunity to win the job the job at center. There was also reports that Bernadeau and Nagy were going to be tested at center, but now with Bernadeau&#8217;s injury that may not happen. As with the tackles and guards there are questions at center as well.</p>
<p>With this group of players who are either new to the team, inexperienced, playing different positions and not having played together, it&#8217;s going to be very interesting to see how things shape up for the Cowboys offensive line. For an offensive line to become solid they need to play together so that they can get to know each other and their tendencies. Whichever players become the starting five it’s going to take time for them to jell together. Time will tell if the Cowboys have made the right decisions heading into the 2012 season. New offensive line coach Bill Callahan has his work cut out for him as he tries to shape a line that will hopefully get the Cowboys to the next level. The Cowboys have a mix of players with experience like Free, Costa, Livings and Bernadeau and others who are young and inexperienced like Smith, Nagy, Arkin and Leary. Now it’s a matter of getting the right combination together to form the starting five. Hopes may be high with this group of players, but with so many questions and so much uncertainty it’s hard not to be concerned as the Cowboys move closer to the 2012 season.</p>
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		<title>Dallas Cowboys: Top 5 Defensive Players</title>
		<link>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/dallas-cowboys-top-5-defensive-players.html</link>
		<comments>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/dallas-cowboys-top-5-defensive-players.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 May 2012 14:12:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>SBR Forum.com</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cowboys Thoughts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lonestarstruck.com/?p=15026</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week I did an offseason feature on the Dallas Cowboys, and their top five offensive threats. Now we are changing sides of the ball, and discussing Dallas’ top five defensive players. DeMarco Murray got my number one slot on the offensive end, who will grab those honors on defense? SBRForum.com continues with this series of articles covering Dallas Cowboys, their different angles and the 2012 NFL Odds. 5. Gerald Sensabaugh, Safety The 28 year-old [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Last week I did an offseason feature on the Dallas Cowboys, and their top five offensive threats. Now we are changing sides of the ball, and discussing Dallas’ top five defensive players. DeMarco Murray got my number one slot on the offensive end, who will grab those honors on defense? <a href="http://www.sbrforum.com/nfl-football/free-picks/dallas-cowboys-2012-nfl-odds-a-24330/">SBRForum.com continues with this series of articles covering Dallas Cowboys, their different angles and the 2012 NFL Odds.</a></p>
<h2><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>5. Gerald Sensabaugh, Safety</strong></span></h2>
<p>The 28 year-old from Oakland, CA had another good season for the Cowboys, and he gets my nod for number five. Sensabaugh had 75 tackles last season, good for second on the team. He also had two forced and recovered fumbles, along with two interceptions. With the exception of his 5-interception season in 2010, it was his best season as a pro.</p>
<p>The Cowboys drafted Matt Johnson, a safety out of Eastern Washington in the fourth round of the draft. They also moved up to draft Morris Claiborne with the 6<sup>th</sup> overall pick. Claiborne is of course a corner from LSU. With Sensabaugh and the new additions, the Cowboys should improve from their 23<sup>rd</sup> ranked pass defense from 2011.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>4. Anthony Spencer, Linebacker</strong></span></h2>
<p>Spencer is one of three Dallas linebackers to make my list for the offseason, and Spencer did everything he could to get on my list! Spencer had 66 tackles last season, good for third on the team, but he really made his money last season rushing the passer. Spencer had 6 sacks and four forced fumbles last season.</p>
<p>Along with the other two linebackers I’m about to mention in this article, the Cowboys’ future is bright among their front seven, considering that every guy in the top four of this article play linebacker or defensive line.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>3. Sean Lee, Middle Linebacker</strong></span></h2>
<p>The sophomore just continued to improve from his rookie season; Lee played in 15 games last season and led the team in tackles with 105 (71 solo). Although he didn’t have any sacks, he recovered two fumbles and had four interceptions and a touchdown. The Penn State prodigy didn’t have the best statistical season on this list, but his impact and upside lands him third on the list.</p>
<p>This guy is key for the Cowboys in stopping the run. He also has to match up against opposing teams tight ends on occasion, and he does well with it. He utilizes his 6’2 245 pound frame well, and when he reaches his ceiling, he could be a Pro Bowl caliber player (that is if they keep the Pro Bowl).</p>
<h2> <span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>2. Jay Ratliff, Defensive Tackle</strong></span></h2>
<p>What else can be said about this guy, other then he is one of the best d-tackles in the league. In 2009, he was a 1<sup>st</sup> Team All Pro, and he is a four-time Pro Bowler. Last season, Ratliff didn’t have his best statistical season in 2011, but he did end the season with 2 sacks and one fumble recovery.</p>
<p>It’s hard for guys on the Cowboys to get sacks, but we’ll get into that with number one. Ratliff is a double-team demanding machine, and a run stopping giant. Between he and Lee, these two are key for the Cowboys defending opposing running backs.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>1. </strong><strong>DeMarcus Ware, Linebacker</strong></span></h2>
<p>This one should come at no surprise, as Ware had one of the greatest season a Cowboy has ever had last season. He finished with 19.5 sacks; good for second in the NFL last season. Ware also had 58 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery for Dallas’ defense.</p>
<p>2012 should be no different for Ware, and I expect him to have another stellar season giving quarterbacks nightmares. The Cowboys added five defensive players with their seven draft picks, and their first four selections were on defense. Ware’s sack numbers might go down, but everything else is going to stay the same or go up.</p>
<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ware.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5310" title="ware" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ware.png" alt="" width="249" height="168" /></a></p>
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		<title>Mike Jenkins needs to be a big part of the Cowboys secondary in 2012</title>
		<link>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/mike-jenkins-needs-to-be-a-big-part-of-the-cowboys-secondary-in-2012.html</link>
		<comments>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/mike-jenkins-needs-to-be-a-big-part-of-the-cowboys-secondary-in-2012.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 15:50:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob V.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cowboys Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cowboys Thoughts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dallas cowboys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mike Jenkins]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lonestarstruck.com/?p=14994</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When the Cowboys signed free agent cornerback Brandon Carr, many spoke about how improved the secondary would be as long as Mike Jenkins came back healthy in 2012. Now with the Cowboys trading up eight spots in the first round of the draft to select Morris Claiborne, some believe that Jenkins is the odd man out. There are even reports that the Cowboys have been looking to trade Jenkins in hopes of getting something for [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When the Cowboys signed free agent cornerback Brandon Carr, many spoke about how improved the secondary would be as long as Mike Jenkins came back healthy in 2012. Now with the Cowboys trading up eight spots in the first round of the draft to select Morris Claiborne, some believe that Jenkins is the odd man out. There are even reports that the Cowboys have been looking to trade Jenkins in hopes of getting something for him since he becomes a free agent at the end of 2012. I think it would be a mistake to trade Jenkins at this point. He may choose to leave next off season, but for 2012 I believe he needs to be an important part of the Cowboys secondary.</p>
<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/2010/12/cowboys-secondary-has-become-a-primary-concern.html/jenks2" rel="attachment wp-att-11488"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-11488" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/jenks2.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="160" /></a>When he is healthy, Jenkins is one of the top corners in the league. I understand that he has had some injuries recently, but those injuries occur because of how many times he gives up his body to make a play. Jenkins adds important depth and experience to the Cowboys secondary, which is needed for the long NFL season. He needs to be on the field helping the Cowboys. But how is that possible with the additions of Carr and Claiborne?</p>
<p>My question is can Jenkins play the slot position for the Cowboys? Will the Cowboys even consider that if he is not traded? I ask these questions because I believe that Orlando Scandrick is the weak link in the Cowboys secondary. From what I&#8217;ve seen over the last few seasons is that Scandrick is constantly getting beat by opposing receivers. And other times he is called for penalties because he is beaten on the play.  I think it was a mistake to sign Scandrick to such a long contract extension last season. And now with Carr and Claiborne on the team it magnifies that contract mistake even more because it might come at the expense of Jenkins leaving. Jenkins can help the Cowboys defense get to the next level, but he can’t do anything if he is sitting on the bench. With his talent he can’t be the odd man out.</p>
<p>The Cowboys secondary can be completely transformed in 2012 and become a force in the NFC East with Carr and Claiborne starting, Jenkins in the slot and Scandrick and Mario Butler as backups. I don’t know if the Cowboys would even consider trying Jenkins in the slot, but that is how I envision the secondary for 2012 being the most effective. Jenkins is just too good to be traded and also too good to be sitting on the bench. With the NFL being a pass happy league teams need at least three quality corners that can make plays. I guess the Cowboys could have worse problems than dealing with a bunch of cornerbacks that they believe should be on the field making a difference for the team.</p>
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		<title>Dallas Cowboys Top 5 Offensive Players</title>
		<link>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/dallas-cowboys-top-5-offensive-players.html</link>
		<comments>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/dallas-cowboys-top-5-offensive-players.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2012 18:00:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>SBR Forum.com</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cowboys Thoughts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lonestarstruck.com/?p=14977</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When I was asked to write this, I was a bit concerned. Dallas has tons of offensive weapons and guys who would be deserving of this list. However, my list got a little easier to produce, when I found out Laurent Robinson is now a Jacksonville Jaguar. He would have thrown a wrench in the entire situation. It still isn’t easy, but here are my top five players on the Cowboys’ offense. Let’s take a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When I was asked to write this, I was a bit concerned. Dallas has tons of offensive weapons and guys who would be deserving of this list. However, my list got a little easier to produce, when I found out Laurent Robinson is now a Jacksonville Jaguar. He would have thrown a wrench in the entire situation. It still isn’t easy, but here are my top five players on the Cowboys’ offense. <a href="http://www.sbrforum.com/nfl-football/free-picks/dallas-cowboys-2012-nfl-odds-a-24330/">Let’s take a look at the top 5 Dallas Cowboys players and see how they can affect, according to SBRForum.com, their 2012 NFL odds.</a></p>
<p><strong>5. Jason Witten</strong></p>
<p>I know it’s probably a crime that I have Witten this low. The guy is a 7-time pro bowler, and a two-time First-team all pro. The guy has averaged 1014 yards per season over the last five seasons, and in those five seasons, he has 27 touchdowns.</p>
<p>Last season, Witten saw a huge dip in production. He went from 94 receptions in 2010, to only 79 receptions in 2011. He had nine touchdowns in 2010, but only five in 2011. Witten is now 30 years old, and might be seeing a dip in production after playing nine seasons.</p>
<p>However, he still is a very important, and almost critical member of the Dallas offense. When it’s 3<sup>rd</sup> and 7, and you need a first down to keep a drive alive, you go to Jason Witten. The guy is still 6’6 and 265 pounds.</p>
<p><strong>4. Tony Romo</strong></p>
<p>For all of you Romo haters out there, all I have to say is why? Why do you not like this guy so much? Are you really still holding onto that fumbled hold in the 2007 playoffs? They weren’t going to beat either the Bears or Colts that season even if they made it that far. Are you so quick to forget that Romo is the only reason you made the playoffs that season!</p>
<p>Ok, I’m sorry, but Romo should be higher on this list, but he settles into the 4<sup>th</sup> spot for one reason, the lack of playoff wins. If he had a Super Bowl and a better playoff record, he would be in the top three. Although no one in the top three of this list has those things, Romo is held to a higher standard because he is the quarterback.</p>
<p>Romo is a three-time pro bowler, and throughout his career, has put up stellar numbers. Last season, Romo had his third 4000 + passing yard season of his career. Oh, and he only tacked on 31 touchdowns to that number. Only in that 2007 season did he have more, when he had 36 touchdowns. Sufficed to say, if Romo gets the Boys to a Super Bowl this season, he will shoot up the next list.</p>
<p><strong>3. Miles Austin</strong></p>
<p>Much like Romo’s lack of playoff success is keeping him from the top three, Austin’s health problems have kept him out of the top two. Austin was hurt for most of last season, and he got rushed back from injury and got hurt again. He only played in ten games last season, and was only effective in five of them.</p>
<p>However, this season, if he is healthy, Austin should be ready to prove why he is still one of the best receivers in the game. In 2009 and 2010, Austin had 18 touchdowns and 2361 yards combined. He also played in all 16 games both seasons. If that hamstring is ready, Austin will be ready for another 1000-yard season.</p>
<p><strong>2. Dez Bryant</strong></p>
<p>I’ll give you another minute to harp on me for having Bryant this high. But, let’s be honest, he is the best athlete on the Cowboys, and possibly in the league. This guys runs a 4.52 40-yard dash, and has a 40-inch vertical leap.</p>
<p>Last season was a disappointment for Bryant. He is as much of a liability as he is a producer, and last season he was the former. He did have 928 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and I could make the case that he could have done a lot more than that.</p>
<p>For the Cowboys, if Bryant doesn’t make a big splash this season, his days in Dallas might be numbered. This is a first round draft pick, and even though he showed improvement in his second season, he will need to keep making strides on the field, and make strides to improve his behavior and conduct off of it. He is an all or nothing player, but he still has the second-highest upside of any of the Cowboys. He needs to be the undisputed number-one option for Tony Romo. However, he is only 23 years old.</p>
<p><strong>1. DeMarco Murray</strong></p>
<p>Speaking of upside, this kid gets my number one spot for just that reason. Murray exploded upon the NFL scene this past season. As a rookie, Murray ran for 897 yards and had two touchdowns. However, he only played in 13 games due to injury, and only started eight games. So, basically, if you multiply those numbers to account for a whole season of starting and taking snaps, Murray would have had well over 1600 yards rushing and 300 yards receiving.</p>
<p>Now, am I saying he will go for 2000 all-purpose yards this season? This is probably not the case. However, this kid is dynamic and will be great in the Cowboys’ offense for a full season. Murray did fall back down to earth after his 253 yard starting debut against the Rams, but he still averaged 91 yards per game as a starter, even without that monster of a game.</p>
<p>I’m predicting a 1800-yard all-purpose season for Murray. Even though I don’t think his touchdowns will be plentiful, he still has breakaway speed, so that will account for at least four or five end zone dances for the sophomore. As long as his knee is heeled, which it seems to be.</p>
<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/9156a6a02dd53b6144b7497e2eabd833-getty-132688426.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-14003" title="Buffalo Bills v Dallas Cowboys" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/9156a6a02dd53b6144b7497e2eabd833-getty-132688426-400x280.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="280" /></a></p>
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		<title>Cowboys News: Akwasi Owusu-Ansah Is Back, DeMarco Murray Is Ready To Go!</title>
		<link>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/cowboys-news-akwasi-owusu-ansah-is-back-demarco-murray-is-ready-to-go.html</link>
		<comments>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/cowboys-news-akwasi-owusu-ansah-is-back-demarco-murray-is-ready-to-go.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2012 15:00:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joe D.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cowboys Posts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lonestarstruck.com/?p=14970</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[According to a report in the The Dallas Morning News, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is back with the Cowboys. The 24-year-old safety, who was most recently a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was claimed off waivers Tuesday along with former Tampa Bay punter Jake Rogers during a flurry of activity that included the release of undrafted rookie cornerback Troy Woolfolk. Owusu-Ansah was selected by the Cowboys in the fourth round in 2010 and was cut last November after the team moved him from [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Akwasi-Owusu-Ansah.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14974" title="Akwasi Owusu Ansah" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Akwasi-Owusu-Ansah.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="240" /></a></p>
<p>According to a report in the <a href="http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/cowboys-bring-back-akwasi-owus.html">The Dallas Morning News</a>, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is back with the Cowboys.</p>
<p>The 24-year-old safety, who was most recently a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was claimed off waivers Tuesday along with former Tampa Bay punter Jake Rogers during a flurry of activity that included the release of undrafted rookie cornerback Troy Woolfolk.</p>
<p>Owusu-Ansah was selected by the Cowboys in the fourth round in 2010 and was cut last November after the team moved him from defensive back to wide receiver.</p>
<p>Although he started two games for the Jaguars, he never played a defensive snap during the regular season for the Cowboys and was used exclusively on special teams, where he served primarily as a returner during his rookie campaign that was cut short by an ankle injury.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/murray.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-13350" title="murray" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/murray-400x276.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="276" /></a></p>
<p>Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray says he&#8217;s 100% and ready to go.</p>
<p>“I&#8217;m back 100 percent,” the running back said Sunday at Cowboys Fan Fest, an event the club&#8217;s marketing department organized to help make up for the team moving its training camp from San Antonio to Oxnard, Calif.</p>
<p>Murray&#8217;s record-setting rookie season was cut short last year when he fractured his right ankle in the first quarter of a 37-34 loss to the New York Giants on Dec. 11. He had surgery the next day and missed the final three games.</p>
<p>Before the injury, the Oklahoma alum was on track to eclipse Tony Dorsett&#8217;s club rookie record of 1,007 rushing yards. Murray finished with a team-high 897 yards, including a franchise-record 253 on 25 carries in a 34-7 romp over St. Louis in Week 7.</p>
<p>Now that&#8217;s what I call awesomeness!</p>
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		<title>Ratliff Staying Put At Nose Tackle</title>
		<link>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/ratliff-staying-put-at-nose-tackle.html</link>
		<comments>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/ratliff-staying-put-at-nose-tackle.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2012 23:24:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joe D.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cowboys Thoughts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lonestarstruck.com/?p=14967</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[According to a report on ESPN, Cowboys defensive line coach Brian Baker revealed that the team has no plans on moving Jay Ratliff from nose tackle to end. Ratliff wore down as the season progressed because of a rib muscle strain. Baker said Ratliff played the fewest snaps percentage wise in 2011 since he&#8217;s been a starter. &#8220;Jay got hurt,&#8221; Baker said. &#8220;Jay was busted up that&#8217;s why we had to get him through it.&#8221; Baker said [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/JayRatliff1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-7632" title="Jay Ratliff" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/JayRatliff1-400x266.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="266" /></a></p>
<p>According to a report on ESPN, Cowboys defensive line coach Brian Baker revealed that the team has no plans on moving Jay Ratliff from nose tackle to end.</p>
<blockquote><p>Ratliff wore down as the season progressed because of a rib muscle strain. Baker said Ratliff played the fewest snaps percentage wise in 2011 since he&#8217;s been a starter.</p>
<p>&#8220;Jay got hurt,&#8221; Baker said. &#8220;Jay was busted up that&#8217;s why we had to get him through it.&#8221;</p>
<p>Baker said to keep Ratliff fresh, taking him off the field on some first and second downs might work because the team has confidence in the abilities of Josh Brent and Sean Lissemore to play some nose tackle.</p>
<p>&#8220;He will take all the third downs unless somebody proves they&#8217;re a better pass rusher inside,&#8221; Baker said. &#8220;Until that happens, if he&#8217;s getting a little worn [down] we&#8217;ll save him for third down.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>Another point that was mentioned was the constant double teams Ratliff and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware endured last season.</p>
<p>The sticking point there of course being why Anthony Spencer was so underwhelming in those instances and why he couldn&#8217;t have made more of an impact on the opposing offense.</p>
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		<title>Can The Dallas Cowboys Win the Super Bowl?</title>
		<link>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/can-dallas-cowboys-win-the-super-bowl.html</link>
		<comments>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/can-dallas-cowboys-win-the-super-bowl.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 15:00:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>SBR Forum.com</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cowboys Thoughts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lonestarstruck.com/?p=14959</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Can Dallas Cowboys Win the Super Bowl? The question that Jerry Jones and most of Texas are asking is &#8220;Can the Dallas Cowboys win the Super Bowl in 2012-2013? Let&#8217;s take an in depth look at &#8220;America&#8217;s Team&#8221;, how do their NFL odds look like and what are their chances in general. Tony Romo -Is he good or isn&#8217;t he? Unless you’re the Baltimore Ravens of 2000 in order to win a Super Bowl a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/cowboys-super-bowls.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-14960" title="cowboys super bowls" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/cowboys-super-bowls.jpg" alt="" width="560" height="410" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Can Dallas Cowboys Win the Super Bowl?</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbrforum.com/nfl-football/free-picks/dallas-cowboys-2012-nfl-odds-a-24330/">The question that Jerry Jones and most of Texas are asking is &#8220;Can the Dallas Cowboys win the Super Bowl in 2012-2013? Let&#8217;s take an in depth look at &#8220;America&#8217;s Team&#8221;, how do their NFL odds look like and what are their chances in general.</a></p>
<p><strong>Tony Romo -Is he good or isn&#8217;t he?</strong></p>
<p>Unless you’re the Baltimore Ravens of 2000 in order to win a Super Bowl a team must have a good quarterback.</p>
<p>Remember, success is based on wins, losses, and post season play, not NFL odds. If statistics were a barometer for success then Tony Romo would be considered one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL with a solid chance to take his team to the Super Bowl. Thus far Romo has put up the numbers but has had very little success in big games and the post season.</p>
<p>Last season Romo ranked 4th in quarterback rating at 102.5. He threw for 4184 yards with 31 TD and just 10 INT. Most teams would give anything for a quarterback that could put up numbers like that but the fact is the Cowboys went just 8-8 last season and in a game where they had the Giants beaten, they choked.</p>
<p>I think that overall Tony Romo isn&#8217;t a big game player but if given the right support on the field he could lead a team to the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>The Pittsburgh Steelers totally focused on protecting Ben Roethlisberger in the NFL Draft and that&#8217;s why they&#8217;ve been a successful team in the past. They see a weakness and a priority and they fill it.</p>
<p><strong>Jerry Jones</strong></p>
<p>The one thing that will keep the Dallas Cowboys a contender is having an aggressive owner such as Jerry Jones. Let&#8217;s face it; a guy that can give a legendary coach like Tom Landry his walking papers has guts. It resulted in three Super Bowl titles.</p>
<p>Jones hasn&#8217;t been happy with the direction that his franchise has taken and has been super-aggressive this year. He&#8217;s already signed 21 free agents after not picking up an offensive lineman in the draft and he made the biggest trade of the draft by picking up Morris Claiborne from LSU. Dallas traded two NFL draft picks to the St. Louis Rams and moved up to the 6th spot to get Claiborne. Jones claims that Claiborne is the second coming of Deion Sanders.</p>
<p>From watching Claiborne in college, Dallas has a gem in Morris Claiborne but it will certainly take him more than a year to reach full potential. Nevertheless, having an owner that will do anything to win is certainly in the Cowboys favor.</p>
<p><strong>&#8220;Beware of Ware&#8221;</strong></p>
<p>In my opinion, the Cowboys have the best defensive player in the game in linebacker DeMarcus Ware. It&#8217;s just speculation but if Claiborne matured immediately, the Cowboys could possibly have two of the best defensive talents in the game on the same team.</p>
<p>For Ware, it&#8217;s a &#8220;win now&#8221; situation as he&#8217;ll turn 30 years old this year. Last season Ware had 58 tackles, 19.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. I remember watching the Jets vs. Cowboys in game 1 of last season and it seemed like Ware was in on every play and it reminded me of a college football game in the late 80&#8242;s where Alabama’s Derrick Thomas had over 20 tackles. To sum it up, Ware was in Sanchez&#8217;s face all night.</p>
<p>This is a player that needs to be coveted and the Cowboys made great strides in giving assistance to Ware and the defense by drafting outside linebacker Kyle Wilber and defensive end Tyrone Crawford.</p>
<p>The Cowboys will be a much improved team defensively this year.</p>
<p><strong>Playmakers</strong></p>
<p>This team is known for having playmakers and have so many that the loss of Laurent Robinson (11 TD&#8217;s) won&#8217;t hurt as much as it would your average NFL team.</p>
<p>DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones have built a strong foundation at the running back position, leaving the element of surprise there for the defense regarding a pass or run play. Murray really came on towards the middle of the season and one can expect a productive season from him. The one knock on the Cowboys backs are their inability to get in the end zone.</p>
<p><strong>Jason Witten</strong></p>
<p>Until Rob Gronkowski came along, Jason Witten was considered the best tight end in the game and is still one of the top 3 in the NFL. Witten is another &#8220;win now&#8221; veteran player as he&#8217;s accrued three 1000 yard seasons in his career. He&#8217;s a future hall of famer and is Tony Romo&#8217;s go to guy in clutch situations. Along with DeMarcus Ware, these guys deserve to have a Super Bowl Ring on their finger.</p>
<p><strong>Untapped potential</strong></p>
<p>Wide receiver Dez Bryant has the ability to be the best wide receiver in the game with his ability to catch the ball, strength, and agility. Sorry Dominique but he&#8217;s a &#8220;human highlight reel&#8221;. The problem is his lack of maturity.</p>
<p>Hall of famer Deion Sanders looked to mentor Bryant but was unable to. If &#8220;Neon Deion&#8221; has a problem, you know that Bryant is a head case. Bryant has had legal issues at a local mall; this is pure immaturity. If Dez Bryant can stay healthy and get his head screwed on right, it&#8217;s conceivable that the Cowboys could have three of the best players in the game in Ware, Claiborne, and Bryant but the clock is ticking.</p>
<p><strong>What to expect?</strong></p>
<p>Anything is possible, if the Giants can win a Super Bowl, the Dallas Cowboys can win one also. A lot of things need to happen and I feel that owner Jerry Jones has finally got the ball rolling in the right direction. A lot will depend on the play of Tony Romo. If Romo gets the much needed support, he&#8217;ll deliver. Is he as clutch as Eli Manning? I doubt it, but he&#8217;s just as talented, if not more. This should be a very exciting season if you&#8217;re a Dallas Cowboys fan. This team can go very far into the post season.</p>
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		<title>The Pro Bowl is meant to be closure</title>
		<link>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/the-pro-bowl-is-meant-to-be-closure.html</link>
		<comments>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/the-pro-bowl-is-meant-to-be-closure.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 00:50:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob V.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cowboys Posts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lonestarstruck.com/?p=14923</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Growing up I always loved the Pro Bowl. I couldn&#8217;t wait to see all the star players from the NFL together on the same field. To me the game was always meant to be a fun time for everyone who watched. It also meant a relaxing trip to Hawaii for the players lucky enough to be selected as well as their families. I never looked at it as an important game or an overly competitive game. It [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Growing up I always loved the Pro Bowl. I couldn&#8217;t wait to see all the star players from the NFL together on the same field. To me the game was always meant to be a fun time for everyone who watched. It also meant a relaxing trip to Hawaii for the players lucky enough to be selected as well as their families. I never looked at it as an important game or an overly competitive game. It was a game meant to give the fans a good show and to say goodbye until the start of the next season.</p>
<p>Recently there have been discussions about possibly canceling the Pro Bowl due to lack of effort from some players as well as less interest from fans. If the NFL is determined to keep playing the game the week before the Super Bowl then I will have to agree that the game needs to go away. For the last three seasons that is when the Pro Bowl has been played and I believe that is the reason why things have become so different with the game. I don&#8217;t want it to go away because of how much I enjoy it, but the game cannot survive being played before the Super Bowl. It effects player participation and it effects the fans enjoyment of the game.</p>
<p>The game officially became the Pro Bowl back in 1970 after the NFL and AFL merged. From 1970 through 1978 the game was played at different NFL stadiums after the Super Bowl. Starting in 1979 the game was moved to Hawaii where it was played in Aloha Stadium until 2008. Before Super Bowl XLIV in 2009 it was decided to move the game to the site of the Super Bowl in Miami and to play it the week between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl. In 2010 and 2011 the game was moved back to Hawaii, but it was still played the week before the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>So let&#8217;s look at where the problem started which was changing when the Pro Bowl was played. By playing it before the Super Bowl meant that the two teams that advanced to the Super Bowl would not have any of their players who were selected to the Pro Bowl playing in the game for fear of injury, which is understandable. The Pro Bowl is meant to be fun and enjoyable for the players and the fans. It&#8217;s the fans chance to watch the best of the best from that NFL season play and just have a good time. The NFL has always preached that they do things in the fans best interest because they are such a big part of the success of the league. If that is really true then the NFL needs to recognize that the Pro Bowl needs to be moved back to where it should be and that is after the Super Bowl.</p>
<p>I understand that many fans are frustrated with the effort of some players and the quality of the game, but the game also needs to be taken for what it is. It&#8217;s the gathering of the best in the league who just want to go out and have a good time. And let&#8217;s face it the rules also prevent the players from going all out, especially on defense. The rules were put in place to hopefully prevent injury and to allow the players to just have fun. The game planning if very vanilla and the rules benefit the offense more than the defense. There is no blitzing and no rushing on a punt or even field goal attempt. Also, if the quarterback gets into trouble he is allowed to intentional ground the ball. The game is built for the offense&#8217;s to showcase their talent, which is why most games are high scoring.</p>
<p>I don&#8217;t believe the Pro Bowl was ever meant to be a highly competitive game. The players get to be around each other and build friendships during the week leading up to the game. In the last three years the game has stopped being fun mostly because of it being played before the Super Bowl. So many of the star players have started declining the invitation to go as well as the Pro Bowl players from the Super Bowl teams not participating. I believe with the game being played after the Super Bowl players are more likely to attend so that they can relax and just enjoy the week.</p>
<p>When it comes to being competitive let&#8217;s take a look at some of the numbers. Most of the games have been close depending on how you look at it. In my opinion a blowout loss is winning by 20 or more points. It has been 41 seasons since the Pro Bowl started back in 1970. In those 41 seasons only seven times has a team won by 20 or more points. In 33 of the Pro Bowls the winning margin was 14 points or less and in 21 of the games the winning margin has been seven points or less. Three of the highest scoring games have come in the last three years when the game was played before the Super Bowl due to lack of interest and effort in my opinion.</p>
<p>As far as the attendance, in 32 seasons that the game has been played in Hawaii the attendance has been over 50,000 25 times and the other times it has not been below 48,000. Two of the lowest attendance games have been the last two seasons, which is most likely because many elite players are not participating due to getting ready for the Super Bowl or being involved in Super Bowl events.</p>
<p>When it comes to the success of the Pro Bowl I think the solution is simple. Move the game back to where it belongs. Play it after the Super Bowl so that those playing in the Super Bowl will be able to participate and will want to participate. Knowing the season is over and knowing that the off season starts with a vacation in Hawaii must make things so much easier on the players. They can go and enjoy themselves with their families and be around their peers so that they can say goodbye to everyone. Then they can go and play the Pro Bowl the way it was meant to be played, a fun and entertaining game for the fans. And us as fans can get closure on the NFL season to prepare for the long off season.</p>
<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/05/the-pro-bowl-is-meant-to-be-closure.html/nfl_g_aloha_576-3" rel="attachment wp-att-14937"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-14937" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/nfl_g_aloha_5762-400x225.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="225" /></a></p>
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		<title>Some thoughts from Non professional eyes</title>
		<link>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/04/some-thoughts-from-non-professional-eyes.html</link>
		<comments>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/04/some-thoughts-from-non-professional-eyes.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Apr 2012 04:37:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob V.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cowboys Posts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lonestarstruck.com/?p=14899</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After three days and seven selections for the Cowboys the NFL Draft has ended. As everyone knows the Cowboys made their biggest selection on Thursday night when they traded up eight spots and selected cornerback Morris Claiborne from LSU. With Claiborne and Brandon Carr the Cowboys defense looks to be greatly improved from last season. As far as the other six selections for the Cowboys, well there has been some head scratching as to why the Cowboys [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After three days and seven selections for the Cowboys the NFL Draft has ended. As everyone knows the Cowboys made their biggest selection on Thursday night when they traded up eight spots and selected cornerback Morris Claiborne from LSU. With Claiborne and Brandon Carr the Cowboys defense looks to be greatly improved from last season.</p>
<p>As far as the other six selections for the Cowboys, well there has been some head scratching as to why the Cowboys went in the direction that they did. I&#8217;m in no way an expert in evaluating talent. I won&#8217;t even pretend that I am. Those professionals know what to look for and how to rate a player. I don&#8217;t have access to game film like the experts do and I don&#8217;t have any kind of rating system for all of these players. I&#8217;m just a fan who has my own opinions. I could write an article telling everyone what the experts are saying about the newest members of the Cowboys. How they are rated and their pros and the cons, but you can go to any of the NFL sites and read the same things. So what I thought I would do is watch some game highlights on the Cowboys draft picks and give you my thoughts from my own non professional eyes. I won&#8217;t include Morris Claiborne because he is the one member of the draft class that does not need to be evaluated due to the fact that he is arguably the best defensive player in the draft.</p>
<p>I found some game highlights on four of the players selected except the last two players, TE James Hannah from Oklahoma and LB Caleb McSurly from Montana. I watched the game highlights as a fan and this is what I got out of them.</p>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise St.</strong></span> &#8211; As I watched some highlights on Crawford I saw a player who was handled very easily by offensive linemen. He seemed to get pushed around and taken out of plays. Although he never seemed to give up on plays, he also was eaten up as the play passed him by most of the time. Even though he has good size at 6&#8217;4&#8243;, 275lbs. he seems to play smaller than his size.</p>
<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/04/some-thoughts-from-non-professional-eyes.html/crawford8" rel="attachment wp-att-14902"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14902" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/crawford8-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p>
<p><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Kyle Wilber, LB, Wake Forest</strong></span> &#8211; I saw highlights of Wilber lining up on the left side as well as the right side. He seemed to always be involved in the play one way or another. He didn&#8217;t seem afraid to take on an offensive lineman or tight end. He disrupted many plays in the backfield and had no problem giving up his body to put a hit on someone. He also was involved in the passing game and didn&#8217;t seem to have issues keeping up in coverage.</p>
<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/04/some-thoughts-from-non-professional-eyes.html/ncaa-football-georgia-tech-yellow-jackets-vs-wake-forest-demon-deacons-october-2-2010" rel="attachment wp-att-14903"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-14903" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/6713821.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="250" /></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Matt Johnson, S, Eastern Washington</span></strong> &#8211; Keeping in mind that Johnson played at Eastern Washington, he looks to be a very physical player. In coverage he always seemed to make a play as he showed speed and the ability to adjust on the run. In the run game he had no problem attacking the line of scrimmage and putting a hit on someone. His tackling looked to be text book as he wrapped up instead of just diving at the ball carrier.</p>
<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/04/some-thoughts-from-non-professional-eyes.html/mattjohnson" rel="attachment wp-att-14904"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14904" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/matt+johnson-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Danny Coale, WR, Virginia Tech</span></strong> &#8211; The first player that came to mind while watching highlights of Coale was the Patriots Wes Welker. He seems fearless going over the middle and is very quick, especially after catching the ball. He looks to be a possession receiver who could also get deep when needed. He also had no issues taking a hit from what I saw.</p>
<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/04/some-thoughts-from-non-professional-eyes.html/attachment/8" rel="attachment wp-att-14905"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14905" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/8-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>I wish I could give you my thoughts on TE James Hanna and LB Caleb McSurdy. If I am able to find some game highlights I will update my article, but for now these are my thoughts on four of the Cowboys 2012 selections.  I don&#8217;t see any of them cracking the starting lineup anytime soon if at all. I see them as projects for the Cowboys. Whether any of them will work out is anyone&#8217;s guess. If I had to select a favorite to make some noise it would be Kyle Wilber.</p>
<p>Good luck to the Cowboys 2012 draft class</p>
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		<title>The Cowboys welcome Morris Claiborne</title>
		<link>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/04/the-cowboys-welcome-morris-claiborne.html</link>
		<comments>http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/04/the-cowboys-welcome-morris-claiborne.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:40:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob V.</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cowboys Posts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lonestarstruck.com/?p=14875</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Through all the mock drafts and all the interviews Cowboys fans were convinced that either Mark Barron, David DeCastro or even Michael Brockers would be selected in the first round. But as I sat watching the draft last night and also watching the Cowboys War Room on my laptop I noticed something strange happening as the draft approached the 6th overall pick in the first round. The phone was being passed around between Stephen Jones, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Through all the mock drafts and all the interviews Cowboys fans were convinced that either Mark Barron, David DeCastro or even Michael Brockers would be selected in the first round. But as I sat watching the draft last night and also watching the Cowboys War Room on my laptop I noticed something strange happening as the draft approached the 6th overall pick in the first round. The phone was being passed around between Stephen Jones, Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett. Then they all got up from their chairs with smiles on their faces. Then the handshakes started all around the room. Many thought that the Cowboys if anything would trade down in the first round. No one expected what was about to happen.</p>
<p>What happened was that the Cowboys traded up eight spots with the Rams. They swapped first round picks as well as giving up their second round pick, which was 45th overall. With the 6th pick the Cowboys selected what many experts are saying is the best defensive player in the entire draft. Cornerback Morris Claiborne from LSU is the newest member of the Cowboys and will team with Brandon Carr in the Cowboys secondary. What was once a liability for the Cowboys has become a strength with Carr and Claiborne, but it also may mean the end for Mike Jenkins with the Cowboys. Reports this morning say that the Cowboys are looking to trade Jenkins. Jerry Jones has also said that he would love to somehow get back into the second round.</p>
<p>The second and third rounds of the draft are tonight starting at 7pm EST. What the Cowboys do is anyone&#8217;s guess at this point. As of right now the Cowboys next selection is the 81st pick in the third round.</p>
<p>Welcome to the Cowboys Morris Claiborne. The new look Cowboys defense is starting to take shape and we are all hoping it leads to great things.</p>
<p><a href="http://lonestarstruck.com/2012/04/the-cowboys-welcome-morris-claiborne.html/538532_10150724255640959_6503595958_9545891_704124347_n" rel="attachment wp-att-14876"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-14876" src="http://lonestarstruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/538532_10150724255640959_6503595958_9545891_704124347_n-247x400.jpg" alt="" width="247" height="400" /></a></p>
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