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My First Browns Offseason Mock

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Smooth

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In House Free Agents

Ralph Brown, UFA [DB] = He’s been burnt so many times; I couldn’t count how many in my lifetime… He’s decent as a 5th/6th cornerback, but he can’t start… There are way better and more deserving corners out there that could fill his spot… I also just don’t see Phil Savage even looking to re-sign him… He was a simple one year stopgap… Decision: Let Go

Kelly Butler, RFA [OT] = From what I’ve seen of Butler, he looks like a decent RT… He’s made a few mistakes, but you can expect that from a young guy like he is… Ryan Tucker hasn’t got too much left in the tank and Butler looks like he may be the guy to takeover… He shouldn’t cost much to keep, so it’s a good investment to make… Decision: Re-Signed

Cosey Coleman, UFA [OG] = One word to put it simply ----> gone… There is no way this guy gets resigned… I’d rather see Isaac Sowells out there before they put Coleman out there again… I mean, there’s no question our guards are a big problem, so I don’t see any interest from Savage to keep him… Decision: Let Go

Nat Dorsey, RFA [OT] = Ehh, this is kind of a toughie… I really haven’t seen enough of him to make a judgment on him… I’d like to think he has some potential in him, but we don’t need potential behind Shaffer… We need a solid tackle who can fill in when needed… I’m going to say he should be let go… I don’t think he’s anything special, so it isn’t worth wasting money over him… Decision: Let Go

Nick Eason, UFA [DE] = Nothing more than a solid back up to me… When’s he gotten the chance to start he hasn’t been anything spectacular, but then again, he hasn’t been horrible… I just don’t see a reason why we should keep him… I mean sure, he is a solid backup, but will he amount to anything else? I doubt it… When talking about backups, there’s a lot of options out there… Decision: Let Go

Hank Fraley, UFA [OL] = IMHO a very easy decision here, very… The guy has been nothing but solid in his short stint at the center position and has provided leadership and stability at the center position which had been an ugly mess until he arrived… With the rumors swirling around the LeCharles Bentley not returning for next season, it’d be very wise to keep around an insurance policy not only for the center position, but for the guard spots, where he can step in as well… Decision: Re-Signed

Simon Fraser, ERFA [DL] = No one would ever think that Fraser had a chance to be on the opening day roster, nonetheless be considered for a starting spot down the road… His development throughout the season has allowed him to earn meaningful playing time and even a starting gig now and then… His hustle, hard work and solid play is worth keeping here… He may not be the most talented guy, or the strongest, but you always know what you will get out of him… Decision: Re-Signed

Lennie Friedman, UFA [OL] = Was supposed to be the starting center for our Brownies, but once Hank Fraley got here, he never sniffed the playing field… It’s really too bad though, he couldn’t have done worse than Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman at the guard spots… I really doubt this guy gets any interest whatsoever from Savage… He is a versatile lineman, but he doesn’t look like the kind of guy who can step in and start when needed… Decision: Let Go

Mike Hawkins, ERFA [DB] = Oh yea that guy - wait, who? -… I haven’t seen him play nor I have I heard anything about him… He is a corner back which is an area of need, but I’m sure there are better options out there… Decision: Let Go

Andrew Hoffman, ERFA [DL/OL] = The attempt to convert him to a offensive lineman was a mistake, but it didn’t cost the Browns anything… He wasn’t doing anything to begin with on the defensive line and the Browns needed help on the offensive line so it didn’t hurt… I don’t expect him to be anything else then a practice squad player, so I don’t see the need to sign him… By the way, isn’t the practice squad for players with potential? Decision: Let Go

Ethan Kelley, ERFA [DL] = He’s been pretty solid when called, which is good considering he’s the backup to big ole’ Teddy… I wouldn’t expect him to be a starter anywhere along the line and his potential is pretty limited… There’s some guys in free agency that I would rather take a chance on then having Kelley back next year… Decision: Let Go

Alvin McKinley, UFA [DL] = If he was on another team, who didn’t have the gigantic hole that the Browns do at the DE spot, he wouldn’t be starting… And in my mind he shouldn’t… I’d actually rather see a guy like Simon Fraser get the majority of the playing time because I just don’t see it in McKinley… I just don’t see it and nor do I think it’s worth giving him a nice new contract… Decision: Let Go

Dennis Northcutt, UFA [WR] = Mr. Northcutt has some of the best hands on the Browns and some of the best in the NFL need to be on this team next year… Without him, I don’t know where the Browns would be… His big play ability and tremendous pass-catching skills surpass anyone currently on the roster… He no doubt is and should be our number one option on offense so I don’t see why he should be let go… Did I mention he has great hands? (I hope you guys can catch the sarcasm on that one!) Decision: Let Go

Brian Russell, UFA = Both the Browns and Russell have expressed interest in continuing there relationship as player and team beyond this season and I don’t see why they shouldn’t… Russell is the one player in the secondary who has had the stabilizing effect on the young secondary throughout the season… He’s been the quarterback of the secondary and has done a fine job of it… He’s also good in run support which is a plus… Brodney Pool could challenge for the starting job but I see him as a better corner… If in fact Pool would be the starter, there’d need to be some type of veteran backup, something that Russell could provide… Decision: Re-Signed

Mason Unck, RFA [LB] = Even though some may not think that he’s an important part of the team, his impact on special teams is huge… He is one of the key players to returns and coverage’s… He may not be a very talented or physically imposing person, but his smarts and instincts make up for it… It doesn’t hurt he provides depth at inside linebacker as well… Decision: Re-Signed


Now for a little recap…

Players Re-Signed

- Kelly Butler
- Hank Fraley
- Simon Fraser
- Brian Russell
- Mason Unck

Players Let Go

- Ralph Brown
- Cosey Coleman
- Nat Dorsey
- Nick Eason
- Lennie Friedman
- Mike Hawkins
- Andrew Hoffman
- Ethan Kelley
- Alvin McKinley
- Dennis Northcutt


Now for the Browns free-agent signings…


Tim Rattay, UFA [QB]

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The pride of Elyria, Ohio would be the kind of backup QB the Browns desperately need… The veteran presence behind Derek Anderson and Charlie Frye was sorely missed this year… Having a guy who can provide advice and give examples from in game experience is huge to a young quarterback who is still developing into a starter in this league… With last off-season being evidence, it looks like Phil Savage wants to capitalize on a lot of the Ohio ties in bringing back Ohio natives… Tim Rattay might not be the big name free agent QB, but he’s a low risk/high reward guy… If he can pan out, he can be a solid backup and maybe even start a few games next year if need be… Contract: Short-Term (1 year) Backup Plan: Damon Huard


Troy Brown, UFA [WR]

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I honestly don’t think he’s going to stay with the Patriots… He already has his ring and the Patriots, as far as I know, have lowballed him in contract offers… So with those two things combined, I think coming to a up-and-coming team and reuniting with old teammates in Ted Washington and Willie McGinest, will be attractive… We also have Romeo who was one of the coaches when Troy Brown was there… With Dennis Northcutt, the Browns need a veteran receiver with some speed… So I thought, Troy Brown would be a great guy to have… He may have lost some quickness/speed, but he has twice the hands that Northcutt has… Another plus is his versatility to play cornerback… With our know history in injuries in the secondary, if needed, we can play Troy Brown at cornerback which is a huge plus… Contract: Short-Term (2 years) Backup Plan: Kevin Curtis


Todd Fordham, UFA [OT]

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Not a huge name signing here, but it’s nothing more than a signing of depth… With Ryan Tucker’s health and future in question, along with the decicison not to re-sign Nat Dorsey, the Browns have a hole at the backup tackle spot… So, I thought a veteran offensive lineman who can player either guard or tackle would be a good addition… Fordham isn’t anything special, but he will provide solid play and can step into a starting role if needed too… This also gives Kelly Butler and Ryan Tucker a chance to fight for the starting right tackle spot… Contract: Short-Term (1 year) Backup Plan: Wayne Hunter



Vince Manuwai, UFA [OG]

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It has been very evident this season our guard spots are huge problems… Joe Andruzzi has done a decent job, but would be benefited by going back to the right side where he belongs and getting a legit left guard like Vince Manuwai… Having a left side of Shaffer, Manuwai and Bentley is pretty good compared to our offensive line’s in the past… Manuwai may not be the biggest player but his mean streak and toughness make up for that… He is still a young player and has a chance to develop into a top-notch starting offensive guard in this league…
Contract: Long-Term (4 years) Backup Plan: Kris Dielman


Cory Redding, UFA [DE]

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Orpheus Roye looks like he is starting to wear down and his injuries have caught up to him… Besides Roye and an inexpierenced Simon Fraser, the Browns really have no other DE’s… Alvin McKinley’s return is doubtful as well as Nick Eason’s… With that said, Cory Redding looks like a guy who is ready to get a full time starting job (guaranteed)… His run-stopping skills are very good, which is something the Browns desperately need… His also gives the Browns some youth upfront that and Redding gives them that with him entering the ripe old age of 26… He still has plenty of potential left and looks to be a good starter down the road…
Contract: Long-Term (4-years) Backup Plan: Robaire Smith


So with the free agent signings done, now onto the draft…

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With the 1st Round pick, the Cleveland Browns select… Alan Branch, DT, Michigan.

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A pretty easy pick right here if you ask me… Joe Thomas likely won’t be around and a RB isn’t more important than lineman as of now… Branch has been a beast at Michigan and provides us with a bonafide run-stopper and an heir-apparent to big Ted Washington… Branch might not be the best pass rusher, but playing the NT in a 3-4 just requires you to clog lanes and make it hard for RB’s to run and that is what Branch does best… Another good thing is that Branch is versatile enough to also play DE in the 3-4… So if needed, he can provide depth there as well… Backup Plan: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson


With the 2nd Round pick, the Cleveland Browns select… Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio State.

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With the departure of Nick Eason and Alvin McKinley, along with the declining Orpheus Roye makes the defensive end position a need even with the signing of Cory Redding… Pitcock is one of the best run-stuffers in the draft and having him slip to the 2nd round would be a great thing for the Browns… Pitcock has a hard-working attitude and a high motor that Todd Grantham would welcome… Something that is very underrated about him is his pass-rush ability… Even though he may not be a playmaker, he can get some pressure on the quarterback… Backup Plan: Amobi Okoye, NT, Louisville


With the 3rd Round pick, the Cleveland Browns select… Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn.

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With Joe Andruzzi aging and the lack of depth at the guard position, a guard would be a good pick right here in my honest opinion… Grubbs is a very athletic offensive lineman for his size… He’s got good size and does a nice job in run blocking and pass blocking… Auburn has turned out pretty good offensive lineman in the past, so hopefully Grubbs can follow that trend… Backup Plan: Josh Beekman, G, Boston College


With the 4th Round pick, the Cleveland Browns select… Dan Bazuin, OLB, Central Michigan.

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With Willie McGinest aging, there is really no heir-apparent at that spot… Now I am not suggesting that Dan will be the guy, but it wouldn’t hurt to give him a shot at it. Bazuin is a very good pass rusher who seems like he can make the transition from defensive end in college, to outside linebacker in the pro’s… If he can’t contribute as a starter, there is nothing wrong with having a solid backup linebacker and a guy who can put some pressure on the passer. Backup Plan: Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee


With the 5th Round pick, the Cleveland Browns select… Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois.

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C’mon, how could you pass on this guy when he slips this far? He may not be big, but the guy was a Heisman candidate who pretty much did everything by himself at NIU… He is a quick little running back who is in the mold of a Warrick Dunn with his quickness and style of play… We do have Jerome Harrison, but he hasn’t anything special, so it wouldn’t hurt to see some competition… Backup Plan: Best Available Safety


With the 6th Round pick, the Cleveland Browns select... JD Nelson, S, Oregon.

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Another fill in pick here… Figured I’d take advantage of a talented defensive back… With our secondary always hurt, it wouldn't be a bad idea to pick up some depth... Backup Plan: Best Running Back Available


With the 7th Round pick, the Cleveland Browns select… Daniel Inman, OT, Georgia.

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Just filling in the picks at this point… Might as well take a chance at a tackle in case something should happen to the line… Don’t know much about him, so can’t really say anything… Backup Plan: Best Offensive Tackle Available


Now for the final roster…


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2007-2008 Cleveland Browns Final Roster
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Offense

QB: Charlie Frye | Derek Anderson | Tim Rattay
RB: Rueben Droughns | Jason Wright | Garrett Wolfe | Jerome Harrison
WR: Braylon Edwards | Troy Brown | Josh Cribbs
WR: Joe Jurevicius | Travis Wilson
TE: Kellen Winslow Jr. | Steve Heiden | Darnell Dinkins
LT: Kevin Shaffer | Todd Fordham | Daniel Inman
LG: Vince Manuwai | Isaac Sowells
CT: LeCharles Bentley | Hank Fraley
RG: Joe Andruzzi | Ben Grubbs
RT: Ryan Tucker | Kelly Butler

Defense

LDE: Orpheus Roye | Simon Fraser
NT: Ted Washington | Alan Branch | J’Vonne Parker
RDE: Cory Redding | Quinn Pitcock
LOLB: Willie McGinest | David McMillan | Dan Bazuin
LILB: Andra Davis | Leon Williams
RILB: D’Qwell Jackson | Matt Stewart
ROLB: Kamerion Wimbley | Chaun Thompson
LCB: Leigh Bodden | Daven Holly | DeMario Minter
RCB: Gary Baxter | Daylon McCutcheon | Jereme Perry
S: Brian Russell | Justin Hamilton | JD Nelson
S: Sean Jones | Brodney Pool

Special Teams

K: Phil Dawson
P: Dave Zastudil
LS: Ryan Pontriband
KR: Josh Cribbs
PR: Troy Brown



New additions in italics.


Blast away!!!
 
Love the effort...

The draft not so much..where is the corner via draft or Free Agency?

You have Gary Baxter as a starter but..he's definitely not playing next year...he had LCB's Injury..just to both legs. Not to mention he'll probably get a staph infection..

Baxter isn't playing next year and probably never again..

Not sold on the DT from Michigan either...never heard of him up until now..

Steinbach?
 
1. A Peterson
2. Q Pitcock
3. B Grubbs

And nothing else mattersssssss...........
 
cdt said:
The draft not so much..where is the corner via draft or Free Agency?

Everybody should be up to full strength next year except for maybe Gary Baxter.. He could be back, he maybe won't be back.. Either way, I think we have enough depth there to get us through next season.. If not, there will be a veteran corner out there we could sign like Hank Poteat...

cdt said:
Not sold on the DT from Michigan either...never heard of him up until now..

Really? The guy is an absolute beast... At 6'5 325, he's a great run stuffer up front and can be the heir-apparent to big old Ted Washington... Just ask George about him, I'm sure George loves the guy...

cdt said:
Steinbach?

I doubt he'd want to come to Cleveland... I'd love to get him, but I have a feeling Cincy will do everything possible to hang on to him... Plus, I doubt Savage or Romeo like the DUI he had while boating about a couple of months ago he had...
 
Solid Snake said:
1. A Peterson
2. Q Pitcock
3. B Grubbs

And nothing else mattersssssss...........

What is Peterson going to run through? Defensive lineman? I don't think so... We can't keep putting off drafting lineman to draft skill players... We need to start recognizing that the reason the franchise is in neutral, is because of the poor line's on both sides of the ball we have put together...

Listen, we have a fully capable 1,000 yard back in the backfield... We just have to put a offensive line up front that will block for him...
 
Droughns = Vanilla!

Draft AP with the 1st, and draft linemen in rounds 2-5. Plus the Free Agency. So, I am sure you can fill our need for linemen like that. We dont need to draft linemen in almost all the rounds.

Because according to your philosophy, we should draft like this?:
1. Linemen
2. Linemen
3. Linemen
4. Linemen
5. Filler
6. Scrub
7. Scrub

Your first 4 rounds are the rounds that should have the impact players. And although we can use good "starting" linemen, we don't need loads of linemen with just "potential". We already have a few good young guys with a lot of potential. Sign FA linemen that can start, and train the potential draftees in the mean time so they can take over in 2008-2009, or even earlier.

You can get the impact player in AP, and then get impact linemen outside the 1st round like everybody else.

Its a WIN WIN WIN situation.
 
You think Quin Pitcock will be available after the first round???

The one thing I really disagreed with was the talk about the guards. THEY BOTH SUCK!!!! BOth must go, the only other option would for coleman to be a backup, thats it.

I want line signings up the wazzo.
 
What people don't understand, is a great O-line could make RD a 1500 yard back. It's not just the flashy guy who actually scores, it's the holes and spaces created by the O Line. THAT is the biggest secret in football that not many people seem to grasp. Frye is not a bad QB, he has been knocked down the most in the NFL and has the least time to throw the ball. If the line gives him an extra second to stand in the pocket before running, he is a Big Ben type QB. Ben had a great O line his first two years, and they did great. This year he's had less time, and has struggled.

If Thomas drops to us we HAVE to take him. If you didn't catch that, I said if he's available and we don't take him, I'm shooting RAC.

Here's my dream but realistic draft if Thomas drops to us.

1. Thomas
2. Pittcock
3. Grubbs

However your draft looks great and that's most likely how it will go. Is there a better impact O-lineman that we could take in the 2nd???

Also I don't like Rattay, I think the money can be used for a better purpose.

I love everything else for the off-season. Here's to LCB being healthy!
 
Solid Snake said:
Droughns = Vanilla!

Draft AP with the 1st, and draft linemen in rounds 2-5. Plus the Free Agency. So, I am sure you can fill our need for linemen like that. We dont need to draft linemen in almost all the rounds.

Listen, you don't need a great RB to be successful in this league... You need great lines in this league...

Just look at guys like Frank Gore, Michael Turner, Willie Parker, Terrell Davis etc... NONE of those guys were drafted high... It just goes to show you that you don't need to draft RB's high in the draft to have a successful running game..

Listen, I love Adrian Peterson as much as anyone else, but his consistent injuries worry me... They really do...

Just go back and look in previous years... Just about every year there's going to be that next RB touted as the next great one... Bush was it last year, AP is it this year and McFadden will be it next year...

We simply can't keep putting off the line positions and for skill players...

Solid Snake said:
Because according to your philosophy, we should draft like this?:
1. Linemen
2. Linemen
3. Linemen
4. Linemen
5. Filler
6. Scrub
7. Scrub

In a way... I mean, I'd like to get some some skill players, but right now this draft is very deep in the line positions and we need to take advantage of that... We can't build our team through free agency, we need to build our team in the draft...

Solid Snake said:
You can get the impact player in AP, and then get impact linemen outside the 1st round like everybody else.

Its a WIN WIN WIN situation.

I see where you're coming from...

I wouldn't be upset at all to go the way that you're saying, but I think we'd be better going with lineman...
 
cavincali said:
You think Quin Pitcock will be available after the first round???

I defintely think it's possible... Some teams are high on him, while some aren't so high...
cavincali said:
The one thing I really disagreed with was the talk about the guards. THEY BOTH SUCK!!!! BOth must go, the only other option would for coleman to be a backup, thats it.

I agree both of them suck and must go, but I doubt we release a serviceable guard in Andruzzi... I would love to get rid of him along with Coleman just as much as you, but I don't see Savage letting both of them go.
 
crazedcav333 said:
What people don't understand, is a great O-line could make RD a 1500 yard back. It's not just the flashy guy who actually scores, it's the holes and spaces created by the O Line. THAT is the biggest secret in football that not many people seem to grasp. Frye is not a bad QB, he has been knocked down the most in the NFL and has the least time to throw the ball. If the line gives him an extra second to stand in the pocket before running, he is a Big Ben type QB. Ben had a great O line his first two years, and they did great. This year he's had less time, and has struggled.

Speak the truth!!! :thumbup:

crazedcav333 said:
If Thomas drops to us we HAVE to take him. If you didn't catch that, I said if he's available and we don't take him, I'm shooting RAC.

Yep, yep, I agree... We couldn't afford to pass on a franchise LT...

crazedcav333 said:
Here's my dream but realistic draft if Thomas drops to us.

1. Thomas
2. Pittcock
3. Grubbs

I wouldn't mind that, but I'd rather focus on getting a NT in third round with already picking Thomas in the first...

crazedcav333 said:
However your draft looks great and that's most likely how it will go. Is there a better impact O-lineman that we could take in the 2nd???

Here's a quick list of O-Lineman:

Doug Datish [C/G, OSU]
Arron Sears [OL, Tennessee]
Sam Baker [OT, USC]
Levi Brown [OT, Penn State]
Doug Free [OT, Northern Illinois]
Joe Staley [OT, Central Michigan]
Manuel Ramirez [OG, Texas Tech]
Samson Satele [OG, Hawaii]

crazedcav333 said:
Also I don't like Rattay, I think the money can be used for a better purpose.

Well, it wouldn't be for a lot... I'd kinda be like the Doug Johnson signing in the previous year...
 
Smooth32 said:
Listen, you don't need a great RB to be successful in this league... You need great lines in this league...

Just look at guys like Frank Gore, Michael Turner, Willie Parker, Terrell Davis etc... NONE of those guys were drafted high... It just goes to show you that you don't need to draft RB's high in the draft to have a successful running game..

Listen, I love Adrian Peterson as much as anyone else, but his consistent injuries worry me... They really do...

Just go back and look in previous years... Just about every year there's going to be that next RB touted as the next great one... Bush was it last year, AP is it this year and McFadden will be it next year...

We simply can't keep putting off the line positions and for skill players...



In a way... I mean, I'd like to get some some skill players, but right now this draft is very deep in the line positions and we need to take advantage of that... We can't build our team through free agency, we need to build our team in the draft...



I see where you're coming from...

I wouldn't be upset at all to go the way that you're saying, but I think we'd be better going with lineman...

Your idea sounds all dandy and all that, but Butch Davis had the same idea when he passed on L Tomlinson when he took Big Money Gerrard Warren.

And speaking of LT, a great RB like him make the O-Line look much better than they really are. A good QB can do the same (we see now that D Anderson's quick release is making our pass protection looking good). LT ran for years behind a crappy line. And he mad that line look good.

L Johnson of KC is doing the same thing. This years O-Line's tackles suck, but he is making them look good also.

These are just some examples of why we don't need to draft a Linemen that high. I mean most good linemen are drafter outside the 1st round.
 
Those are two examples of GREAT running backs... I could make a big list of RB's that benefited from great lines and weren't drafted high...

Just look at previous Super Bowl winning teams and tell me if they had good O-Lines or not... And the majority of them will...

BTW, the majority of the starting LT's were drafted in the first round...
 
Well, whatever you said or wanted just went out the window.

Jason Wright's career is almost over for sure now. And R Droughns is averaging like 16 yards a game. lol

WE NEED A RB NOW!
 
Solid Snake said:
Well, whatever you said or wanted just went out the window.

Jason Wright's career is almost over for sure now. And R Droughns is averaging like 16 yards a game. lol

WE NEED A RB NOW!


:rolleyes:

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
 

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