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2021-2022 Regular Season:
Cowboys Prevent
Panthers From Pouncing And Face The Giants (Who Have Suddenly
Rediscovered Their Defiance)
October 7,
2021 At 11:44 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf-
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Week four brought some big game cats to the Dallas Cowboys’ door.
“Cowboys Nation” was undoubtedly expecting an entertaining hunting
trip, and it was on “America’s Team” to crack the whip and avoid a
too-close-for-comfort slip. While both teams were either hunting or
prowling on less than a full-health load, they had no choice but to
do the best they could with what they had while adhering to the
warrior’s code (like the rest of the league already dealing with and
reeling from enormous injury fatigue).
Hunt Or Punt?
After an exchange of punts (and a Randy Gregory sack) to start the
game, forward progress (with Dak and Co. on the attack) would
officially enter the frame. A 19-yard first down carry by running
back Ezekiel Elliott was almost diminished by a second down snap
that almost resulted in Prescott being finished. Dak would recover
the low-and-away slider he received from second-year center Tyler
Biadasz and – rather than standing tall in a pocket ready to fall –
he took off through a Tyron-Smith-opened lane, broke a tackle, and
came within four yards of another first down gain.
As a brief aside, while Biadasz is under fire to perform better than
an undersized, err, underpowered spare tire, enhancing his
repertoire with anything close to an Andre Gurode specialty will
only add to his perceived frailty.
Nonetheless, Dak and Co. would return to feeding Zeke (who would
easily pick up another first down). On the very next play – with
10:23 remaining in the first quarter from the Panthers' 38 – Dak
would take the snap from center, fake to Zeke, look left, scan
right, and find tight end Dalton Schultz all alone and clapping like
a seal to make Carolina pay. He would go for 18 yards down to the
Panthers' 20. "Thunder 'N Lightning" or "Smash 'N Dash" or Zeke and
fellow running back Tony Pollard would deliver a few more commanding
carries, the last of which was headlined by
guard-temporarily-turned-fullback Connor "Mini Fridge" McGovern (to
better clear the path of defensive flurries). After a missed
Dak-to-Schultz connection, McGovern returned to ensure tacklers of
an end-zone-entering Zeke were spurned. Though – in using his
always-lauded patience to find the right gap – Elliott selected a
different hole for this one-yard touchdown stroll. It was a snap.
Zeke and the Cowboys broke the scoring ice with a 7-0 score. Quite
nice.
For those fans and prognosticators who believed the injury-absence
of Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey was going to
completely cripple the Carolina cats rather laughably, his
near-equally-shifty backup Chuba Hubbard – when granted the chance
to dance – was no dullard. When it was Carolina's turn to answer
back (with 7:27 remaining in the first quarter from their own 25),
Hubbard delivered a 14-yard burst to get them on track (plowing
through Dallas safety Damontae Kazee most notably). Carolina
quarterback Sam Darnold would methodically drive his offense down
the field (mixing in another 12-yard rush from Hubbard plus an
impressive 29-yard catch-and-run by wide receiver D.J. Moore).
Another pass to D.J. would have Carolina knocking at the one-yard
door. A fake toss to Hubbard followed by the use of Darnold’s own
dynamic wheels provided a touchdown yield. It was Darnold’s
league-leading fourth rushing touchdown of a still-young season
(reminding “Cowboys Nation” of the still-imperfect,
still-incomplete, still-in-progress middle of the Cowboys’ defensive
front, which remains none-too-pleasin’).
While the score was tied – and it appeared neither offense would be
particularly denied – some mutually-impactful drama (on the Cowboys'
next offensive series) would be applied. Dak – on 2nd-and-10 from
his own 25 – would take the shotgun snap and find Schultz for a
four-yard catch from the slot (after which Dalton would turn on a
dime and continue towards a first-down spot, yet not before he
nearly allowing an "unpopular" crime). Carolina linebacker Shaq
Thompson would attack from behind, forcing Schultz to nearly fumble
in kind. Dalton's knee was JUST down before the ball began to loosen
and fall. After further review, possession would remain with Dallas
so true. Dak (on a seemingly duplicate route) would come right back
to Dalton before the ball came right out (following another big hit
that – though he was down – appeared to have him double-faultin').
While just barely getting that pass by linebacker Shaq Thompson was
unintentionally-impressive (and LUCKY) enough, the fumbles were
nasty stuff (reminiscent of last year's Atlanta game and certainly
felt the same).
And after all that (with 1:17 left in the first quarter), Dallas
seemingly had a more-than-manageable 3rd-and-2. Dak and Co. knew
what to do and merely had to reinstall offensive guard Connor
McGovern at fullback and another first down they would stack. "But,
BUT" offensive coordinator Kellen Moore had no additional blocking
in store, and right tackle Terence Steele arrived a smidge too late
to prevent linebacker Shaq "Here, There, And Everywhere" Thompson
from trying to diminish the Cowboys' third down conversion rate.
Before even reaching the line of scrimmage, running back Tony
Pollard was stuffed (with Thompson, of course, looking like he had
been eating his spinach). Just when you figured Cowboys head coach
Mike McCarthy might have learned his week one, not-from-midfield
lesson, he had Dak and Co. lined up on 4th-and-2 to get 'er done.
Dak (operating from just past his own 45 with under a minute to play
before the half) did not even pretend to draw the Panthers' defense
offside. The forward-progress play was going to be executed, and
determined bodies were going to collide. Dak would take the snap and
survey his options. Rather than standing tall in the pocket while
(potentially) holding the ball too long, Dak made the wisest of
adoptions. He bolted through another Tyron-Smith-created gap so
strong and angling down the left sideline for 21 yards (which turned
any remaining concern over Prescott's surgically-repaired ankle into
an absolute canard).
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Zeke would pick up one additional yard before the second quarter
arrived, and then the offense would continue to thrive. Dak (on
2nd-and-9 from the Panthers' 32) would find wide receiver Amari
"Injury Trooper" Cooper for 14 more. Amari seemed to do himself
unseen harm (as he slipped untouched and attempted to support
himself on the way down with his right arm). Whether or not he
aggravated his previously-cracked rib(s), he got up gingerly and
looked pretty sore. Then – on 1st-and-10 from the Carolina 18 – Dak
targeted tight end Blake Jarwin out of the slot for a down-the-seam
touchdown (for which Cowboys fans had grown somewhat-accustomed to
anticipating back in 2019).
Rather than attempt to go up 14-7 (yes, ATTEMPT, as Greg Zuerlein's
leg no longer reliably "goes to eleven"), Mike McCarthy would opt to
go for the two-point conversion with Kellen Moore calling for a lil'
misdirection. Wide receivers Cooper and Cedrick Wilson were bunched
just to the right of tight end Dalton (who was giving the appearance
of staying in to block instead of performing more passing game assaultin'). Wilson went in motion to the left just prior to Dak
receiving the shotgun snap. Amari headed into the end zone, and
Schultz would sneak off to the right and towards the goal line,
hoping the nearest Carolina defender(s) were taking a nap. Panthers
free safety Jeremy Chinn (who failed to stop Jarwin's score on the
up-and-in) was determined (albeit narrowly) to avoid a duplicate
sin. Schultz's knee was down before the ball "crossed the plane,"
and time would eventually tell if that failed opportunity (to go
from 13-7 to 15-7) would cause some pain.
While the timing of a two-point conversion is almost, ALMOST always
a risk, there was a truly-unforgiveable mental error by McCarthy,
tsk, tsk. The Panthers had a 2nd-and12 from their own 23, and former
Cowboys reserve offensive tackle Cameron Erving was called for a
15-yard facemask penalty. Discerning Cowboys fans were all "Goodie!
Goodie!" until McCarthy declined. Those same fans responded: "It is
one thing to show growing confidence in 'The Mighty Quinns' but ARE
YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" THAT was all Carolina needed to pair with
another speedy Sam Darnold scramble, followed some dink and dunk,
and successfully finished with Darnold's FIFTH rushing touchdown to
toss in his running back, err, trophy trunk.
The Cowboys and Panthers - with just over 4:30 remaining in the
first half - would begin taking more turns punting. Dak would
narrowly-avoid a would-be, poorly-thrown interception (at the feet
of Blake Jarwin by nearest defender, cornerback Donte Jackson) that
would have been progress-stunting). And on the Panthers next
possession, defensive end Randy Gregory ensured Sam Darnold would
experience more SACKtastic regression.
The Cowboys had 1:40 with which they could still, STILL play "if,
IF" Mike McCarthy would just keep his clock management "skills"
completely out of the way. and (perhaps to a half-ending score)
conveniently pave the way. Dak – on 1st-and-10 from the Panthers' 28
– would find a toughin'-it-out Amari Cooper with a 20-yard catch
aiming to set 'em straight, but Panthers pressure would result in no
half-ending, Cowboys-scoring pleasure.
The Mighty Quinns – particularly defensive tackle Osa "Leverage"
Odighizuwa, linebacker Micah Parsons, and defensive end Tarell
Basham – would bring more pocket-crushing pressure of their own on
Sam Darnold and would eventually trash 'im.
While the Dallas defense would give up a big, Darnold-to-D.J.-Moore
39-yard catch-and-run (to start the third quarter), more defensive
pressure on third down and a missed field goal would ultimately make
the rest of the game (for Carolina) no fun. The Panthers' 14-13 lead
would change in short order.
Prescott would soon after connect on a 35-yard touchdown pass with
Amari Cooper to break Dallas out of their momentary scoring stupor.
Dak and Co. would follow that up with a 47-yard rushing explosion by
Zeke all the way down to the Carolina six, and a Prescott pass to
Dalton Schultz to quite easily get him back in the touchdown scoring
mix. Another two-point conversion attempt (to CeeDee Lamb) would
come up exempt.
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Before the Cowboys could become too fixated on how their two-point
conversion efforts were getting so annihilated, sensational
second-year cornerback Trevon Diggs would show Sam Darnold
how-and-why he has been increasingly leaving NFL quarterbacks
feeling so violated.
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Dak would then find Cedrick Wilson for a 23-yard score to push the
Cowboys' total (ballooning to 33-14) just a lil' bit more. "And, AND" The Mighty Quinns would come
right back with another turnover SMACK! Trevon Diggs would secure
his second pick (showing Sam Darnold that – given his generosity
towards defensive secondary curiosity – there are endless aerial
ways in which Diggs could continue to turn that trick).
Dak and Co. would add one final field goal before pulling players
like Trevon Diggs (with back tightness) among one or two others to best ensure the specter
of additional or worsening injury had no one else to immediately
smother.
Sam Darnold would (understandably and wisely) use those artificial
absences to add two (mildly garbage time) passing touchdowns to the
game-ending tally (without – of course – receiving full credit for
the late contest rally).
The Dallas Cowboys would go on to defeat the Carolina Panthers 36-28
and – until next time they meet (perhaps, PERHAPS having regained
all their mutually-missing parts in the playoffs?) – perhaps one
team will experience a change of fate. For THIS contest, however,
the Cowboys got to successfully hunt, and the Panthers more often
(when not being intercepted) had to punt.
Short Shots And Hot Spots
The all-powerful, top-rated Carolina Panthers defense neither sacked
nor intercepted Dak Prescott. They did not quite deliver the
pressure that (some but not all) Las Vegas bookies expected or
sought.
Prescott was only (required to be) 14 of 22 for 188 yards so
seemingly pedestrian, but he and his stable of thoroughbreds
delivered FOUR TOUCHDOWNS so equestrian. Just BECAUSE you can throw
for 400+ yards does not mean you must, unless your defense and / or
special teams have gone bust. Yet, as “The Tortured Cowboys Fan”
doth routinely profess, doing WHAT you can prevents your killer instinct from
becoming a “lower yourself” mess.
Though his best friend's numbers were deceptively small, Ezekiel
Elliott's stats (20 carries for 143 yards and one touchdown) were
demonstratively all that (even if you removed the 47-romp, which
Dallas gladly accepted as a critical part of their pussy cat stomp).
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“And, AND” if not for Zeke (typically) receiving the lion's share of
rushing opportunities, Tony Pollard (with 67 yards on 10 carries)
might also have cut the Giants down to the bone with impunity. If,
IF a certain “someone” finally returns (healthy and ready) from
suspension in time for week seven, the Cowboys’ running game could
and SHOULD become absolute heaven.
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The Mighty Quinns – on the defensive flipside – produced five sacks,
11 pressures, and two interceptions with pride against Sam Darnold
(who may still be young and promising but – at times – was made to
look confused and old).
Defensive end Randy Gregory, linebacker Micah Parsons, defensive end
Tarell Basham, defensive end Chauncey Golston, and defensive tackle
Osa Odighizuwa spent most of the game in hot pursuit of Darnold
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While defensive coordinator Dan Quinn deserves all the praise being
tossed (by the truckload) his way, defensive line coach Aden Durde
has certainly been leaving his collaborative mark on the Cowboys’
quality defensive play (especially through coaching up 2021 draft
picks defensive tackle Odighizuwa, Golston, and defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna). Even without a
couple of interior defensive line veterans, opposing running games
(unlike in 2022) are no longer going bananas.
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The Tortured Cowboys Fan has always been about building up and
sustaining a team’s killer instinct to
avoid becoming extinct . . . as (former Cowboys head coach Jason
Garrett's preferred method of) "outlast" or survival only ensures
you will eventually unravel (without that determined pledge to
always, ALWAYS maintain and refine your edge).
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Dan Quinn and his
defensive staff – through significant player personnel turnover (to
remove one-and-all a roster imposter) and just one offseason "And,
AND" through JUST four games – have demonstrated how competing
against the Dallas Cowboys' defense no longer triggers an immediate
opponent laugh. The Tortured Cowboys Fan – in the (former) absence
of a truly complementary defense that could reasonably hold up its
part of the plan – would always remind Cowboys Nation that team
leader Dak Prescott needed to carry still more of the burden,
the KILLER
INSTINCT that comes with truly being THE MAN. Prescott –
fair or not – had to be that rising tide to lift all boats on the
fly (but – magically, MAGICALLY – without as much risk as "That
Announcer Guy").
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While Prescott's burden will still undoubtedly
involve future takeover moments, The Mighty Quinns have shown they
are willing and increasingly able to do their share by aggressively
cutting down on "performance postponements" of the past (by putting
more opponents on early-game blast). YES, Yes, yes, the Dallas
Cowboys are still working on delivering a full 60 minutes (in all
three phases of the game) to ensure their 2021 opponents never feel
entirely sure they can get back in it. "If and when, IF AND WHEN"
they DO have that whistle-to-whistle effort finally figured out,
fans will "HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS!" shout and opponents will "HERE
WE GO AGAIN!" pout.
Good Quote Or Bad Bloat?
“I think he's playing such elite-level football, both with his arm
but also with his mind, with his feel for the game. It's
unbelievably impressive watching him. When you look at Dak, to me,
he’s at the highest level of mastery over this offense." – Carolina
Panthers head coach Matt Rhule on Cowboys quarterback Prescott
(possible seeking to generate a pre-game, butter ‘im up audience).
“We’re building a culture. I can’t really explain it, but it feels
like something special is going to happen.” – Cowboys wide receiver
Amari Cooper (making it clear that long-gone is “the process” from
Captain Clappin’).
“This is about players, guys. This isn’t that complicated. Let the
guys make plays. Put them in position, and let them go do work. It’s
a lot of fun.” – Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore (oh so
coyly papering over the fact that – absent one or more of your very
best players – more ADJUSTMENT must be done).
“When he gets interceptions, I almost laugh, I understand.” –
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott on Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs
(acknowledging Trevon’s ability – now with four interceptions on the
year and ZERO fear – to make even the safest of passes not go as
planned).
“Leighton is such a
consistent player for us. He’s rarely out of position. He’s an
excellent communicator, he’s a good tackler. You just feel his size
and length when he’s in there, so I was pleased with Leighton in
this game.” – Cowboys defensive coordinator on linebacker Leighton
Vander Esch (knowing that if his contract-year defender can
magically remain healthy, he could – once again – be a key component
of the Cowboys’ defensive mesh).
"We played so well for three quarters, and I think guys kind of
relaxed a little bit. We can't have that. We have the ability to
really shut teams out and finish them out. I think we had the
opportunity to do that this week, just like last week, and we didn't
capitalize on that. I think that's probably the aspect of our game
as a whole that we need to get better at. We just have to choke
teams out. We had the opportunity to that, and we didn't do it. Four
minutes left in the game, it's an 8-point game. That's not what you
want. We just have to get better at that." – Cowboys defensive end
Randy Gregory (with the BEST player statement in favor of KILLER
INSTINCT as a replacement for ANY defensive lethargy).
Misery Loves Viruses And Injury
While reserve defensive end Dorance Armstrong is out with an ankle
injury, people are starting to wonder if strong safety Donovan
Wilson (who continues to recover from a preseason-produced groin
strain) will play again this century. Poor guy simply cannot
convince that injury to die.
A number of other players – wide receiver Amari Cooper, running back
Ezekiel Elliott, defensive end Randy Gregory, defensive end Carlos
Watkins, and cornerback Trevon Diggs – continue to soldier on,
managing nagging injury (as far as possible away from a brief
absence to serious downtime or – GASP – surgery).
Hybrid strong safety / linebacker Keanu Neal and reserve defensive
end Bradlee Anae both are expected to return from COVID-19 protocol
(and will hopefully – from the upcoming game and forward – remain
available for the long haul).
Both second-year defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and 2021 rookie
second-round pick Kelvin Joseph are inching closer to returning from
short-term injured reserve. “All they have to do” is avoid that
unexpected recovery swerve.
Though “everyone” was (originally) hopeful that wide receiver
Michael Gallup would be ready to return from short-term injured
reserve by week five, it will have to be a later date for which
Gallup must strive.
Offensive tackle La’el Collins remains ineligible – until after week
six – to return to action. What’s that? Collins is only suspended,
not injured. Correct, but Collins clearly needs to be checked for a
brain injury due to the offensive line his selfish absence nearly
upended (and the intensely-high probability that – regarding the
reason for his suspension – he lazily, stupidly perjured).
Sailin’ From Jaylon
Linebacker Jaylon “Smooth” Smith went from captain against Carolina
on Sunday to cut by the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday of this week (and
his departure could not have been more undesirably meek).
The former University of Notre Dame star linebacker who was destined
to be a first-round attacker, who had suffered a horrifying knee
injury (torn ACL and LCL), who was not expected play football again
(let alone walk properly every now and then), who saw his
earned-turned-hopeful draft position plummet until GM Jerry said
“Call it in, dadgummit,” who spent his entire rookie year undergoing
physical therapy so mind-blowing, who made it ALL THE WAY BACK to
the grid iron (preventing a case of drop foot from making him kaput)
in his second year to give former Cowboys star linebacker Sean Lee a
helping hand to steer, who then began to collaborate so well with
2017 rookie linebacker Leighton “Wolf Hunter” Vander Esch that they
eventually “combined powers” to become “Van Jaylon,” who then
suffered inconsistent-to-poor performances in the injury-absence of
LVE, who then suffered further in a 2020 defensive scheme that was
far from the most effective theme, who then showed “some” signs of
improvement (under a different coach with a player-first commitment
and approach) until the end of (the first or only chapter?) of his
NFL dream has moved on (with few to none seriously ready to scream).
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“Me? I mean, watch the film. But for me, it’s a blessing to be able
to play this game. So many people thought I’d never play ever again.
So, for me, I’m my worst critic, and I’m my biggest fan. I’m gonna
keep at ‘em, keep grinding," said Jaylon last year (when the exact
opposite of his admirable belief had – as early as 2019 – become
unfortunately clear).
"B-BUT Jaylon led the team in tackles last year!" you say (perhaps
with comprehension of his accomplishment a little unclear). Quantity
of tackles does not equate to the WHEN quality of tackles. Stopping
an opposing ball-carrier at the moment he attempts to cross the line
of scrimmage or when he attempts to catch a pass over the
intermediate middle or deep end of the defensive backfield can and
often does result in an artificially-inflated yield. Jaylon – since
2018 – had increasingly stopped ball-carriers not at the earliest
point of contact (or at some point along the way) but at the end of
their run, and that is a regrettable fact.
"It's been a part of my life. I've been wearing number nine since I
was nine years old, through pee wee, middle school, high school,
college, All-American games, you name it. Number nine is a part of
me. It's really just a blessing to be able to continue the legacy.”
– Jaylon Smith in late May 2021 (explaining how his jersey number
switch from 54 to nine might, MIGHT help restore part of the game
day mojo he lost before the Cowboys inexplicably found him worthy of
being tossed). The NFL would agree to look the other way on all
remaining “54” merchandise in return for Smith paying a $500,000.00
price. (Many But Not All) Fans everywhere – who spent an average of
$60.00-$100.00 on his former jersey – were heard to say in unison:
“Well, ain’t that BLEEPIN’ NICE!”
Four games into the 2021 season, Jaylon Smith no longer wore the
former jersey number of Chuck Howley or Randy “The Manster” White.
While Smith gets to wear number nine for his new team, he does not
get his “number bumbler” money back, he may be the very last person
to pound the table and yell “THIS ain’t right!”
Though the Dallas Cowboys wanted Jaylon Smith to stick around, their
appetite to keep him at the remaining portion of his guaranteed
$7.2M base salary this year had completely run aground. If his
contract had not included a(n approximate $9.2M)
guarantee-against-injury clause for 2022, Dallas might, MIGHT have
had more interested trade partners to pursue. Relinquishing his
injury guarantee was something Jaylon viewed with understandable
derision, leaving GM Jerry with a business decision.
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Whatever his new team – the Green Bay Packers – are paying Smith on
his prorated one year deal, compared to what the Cowboys are still
required to pay him, they surely view the transaction as a steal
(until they see how he performs within THEIR system, and then he may
have less appeal).
“Nothing other than business. It’s the National Football League. I’m
just blessed and thankful to be able to play at the place I wanted
to play, and that’s with the Green Bay Packers. [What kind of player
are you now?] Elite.” – Former Cowboys linebacker Jaylon “Smooth”
Smith (not making a believable effort to dispel at least one BIG
myth).
While the Cowboys are sailin’ from Jaylon, may his “Clear Eye View”
help him pull through (unless and until he the Packers are facing
the Cowboys, and then he gets a proper dose of “Screw YOU!”).
Will They Or Won’t They?
The New York Giants head into AT&T Stadium as (high as a kite)
confident as they have been in quite some time (and looking for a
second-consecutive win – against their most-hated opponent – that
resembles a brutal crime).
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New York’s offense will be without dangerous-when-healthy wide
receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, as well as offensive
lineman Ben Bredeson (which – of course – makes it harder for Giants
quarterback Daniel Jones to get more things done). Strong safety
Jabrill Peppers will also be unavailable for the Giants’ defense (at
a time when New York needs maximum available talent to ensure the
Cowboys’ offense even remotely relents).
Will the New York Giants’ offense – fresh off their unexpected
success against the New Orleans Saints – be able to overcome the
Cowboys’ new-and-much-improved defensive restraints?
Will Dak Prescott – on the
anniversary of the game in which his
ankle Giants cornerback Logan Ryan would (unintentionally) maim –
give it MORE than all he’s got?
We shall see. We always do.
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