Ricky Stanzi - and other questions
Greetings All! First and foremost I am not an Iowa Hawkeyes fan – I am a Kansas City Chiefs Fan. I am posting this thread today to have some questions answered about a few players from the esteemed Hawkeyes (Iowa) University. WE, over at arrowheadpride.com, have been clamoring for Former Iowa Quarterback Ricky Stanzi to get some snaps under center - in an actual game – not a preseason warm up for the past 3 weeks. In light of this week’s past events, the firing of Todd Hali and the favorable action of benching Tyler Palko, we are very close to seeing Stanzi in action. I am truly excited to see how he does and I have read numerous scouting reports of him in comparison to a young Tom Brady.
More after the jump...
I believe I speak for All (or the Majority) of Chiefs fans when we say we are really pleased with Tony Moeaki, He is a stud and a playmaker. And I would be remiss if I didn’t also acknowledge the Iron man and anchor of oue O-line Casey Wiegmann. Weiggs consecutive snap streak is something else even though his time as a Chief and more than likely a Center in the NFL is done after this season.
Thus far on our team we have Casey Wiegmann, Tony Moeaki and now Ricky Stanzi. There is speculation that we might target Riley Reiff in this year’s upcoming draft.
I thought I would take the lead from us at Arrowhead pride and take the time to ask Ya’ll – the resident experts of your esteemed football team some questions. I am also going to post a link so that other APer’s can come and ask you guys questions
I have provided a link to this thread for those at Arrowhead Pride to ask questions to ya’ll about anything in regards to your players past and present. As for myself I have some general questions I have come up with and will start off by listing them out.
Tony Moeaki
What is the history of Tony Moeaki’s stigma of always being hurt?
Did he have a massive injury during his tenure at Iowa or is this just a label he was given by the “experts”?
What was the chemistry like with Tony and Ricky Stanzi on and off the field?
Ricky Stanzi
What Do Ya’ll think Ricky Stanzi’s ceiling will be in the NFL? A franchise QB or solid backup?
What are some of the tendencies Stanzi has both positive and negative?
What is the origin of the Stanzi mania? (I have seen the America love it or leave it videos and the abundant Stanzi pics which BTW is full of Awesome and Win! * Compliments to APer KC Satchmo and his sig )
What is the level of leadership he posses? Would you characterize him as a gamer a true Quarterback that can lead a team in a comeback?
Riley Reiff
Do you think he will declare or stay 1 more year at Iowa?
What type of left tack is Reiff? (Technique wise)
Do you guys feel that Reiff can come in and be an immediate impact player / starter that helps solidify an O-line? (Because that’s 1 Major problem we have on the Chiefs Offensive side of the ball)
Would you draft him for your favorite sports team – Chiefs or another team?
What type of major injuries or inconsistencies has he had at Iowa
Coach Ferentz
What are you guys hearing on the rumor mill about him coming to Kansas City as our new HC?
Do you think that he would be ready for the next step as a NC in the NFL
Where does the Scott Pioli – Ferentz connection stem from?
Are there any other “sleeper” type prospects that are graduating or declaring (rumored) that you guys think we should keep an eye on? Again I would like to thank you for your responses to our questions that we ask ya’ll and thank you for the hospitality! Even though I am no means an expert on the Chiefs if you guys have questions from us I am sure a good amount of APers would be happy to answer.
Ricky Stanzi FTW!!
Unless otherwise expressly indicated by BHGP editors, this FanPost is strictly the viewpoint of the author and is not endorsed by BHGP in any way.
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Here's the heads-up post that was initially written when Stanzi was drafted
Most of your questions can be answered here
I don’t remember any major injuries for Moeaki, just lots of stupid small injuries that would cost him 6-8 weeks. Toe, ankle, elbow, wrist, I think.
I have a hard time believe that Reiff will stay in Iowa City, though I think it would be great if he did.
Iowa AD Gary Barta claimed this morning that no NFL teams have reached out to Ferentz. If the Chiefs are interested, they’ve yet to let KF know.
Thanks brother!
You think Stanzi is as good as touted?
"Stay Classy Kansas City"
by Mas Cervezas on Dec 16, 2011 6:40 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
That elbow was broken, wasn't it?
Wisconsin game in the 1st quarter that year. The rest of the stuff was just horrible luck, not really “fragile” stuff.
by Norm Parker's Amputated Toes on Dec 17, 2011 12:35 AM CST up reply actions
I recall that he somehow managed to get hurt twice on that one play.
Damaged the elbow, but also hurt his wrist-hand. Moeaki is a massive talent, but the Chiefs took him at some risk since, for whatever reason, he hardly was able to string together half-a-season without missing a game from injury.
But when healthy, he could be an All-Pro.
by The Director on Dec 17, 2011 10:35 AM CST up reply actions
One more non-Iowa question
Why did Iowa State just agree to pay Rhoads $2 million for the next 10 years? I looked at his resume and here is what I see:
GOOD:
- Two major upsets over teams that were highly rated, one at home and one on the road.
- Beat Iowa, albeit a very mediocre Iowa, at home.
- Two bowl games in three years (one win, one yet to be played)
LESS THAN GOOD:
- 1 game under .500 in his short career.
- Averaged 3 conference wins per season. Three.
- Defensive minded coach whose teams have given up over 50 points an astonishing four times in three years and almost allowed 70 points at home last year.
- 3-12 against ranked teams.
- 12-19 over Big 6 AQ conference teams.
It’s their money, but he just lost his best coach to OSU and I guess we’ll see what the future brings. I know he was a threat to go to Pitt (although maybe not) and this might be a reflection of the market. But, seriously? Look at the list of coaches making less than $2 million and year and there are a baker’s dozen I would take over Rhoads.
"I wish you luck with a capital 'F'" - The Real Elvis.
I think you're being overly harsh. How did KF look in these measurables after 2001?
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Dec 16, 2011 8:40 PM CST up reply actions
He looked like a $800K a year coach
and was. Which is my point.
"I wish you luck with a capital 'F'" - The Real Elvis.
by StoopsMyAss on Dec 17, 2011 7:41 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
At any other school, I totally agree.
At ISU, however, he has given a fanbase a backbone they have never had before. 0-56 against teams ranked in the top 6 prior to the OSU upset. He won at Nebraska. He’s won at Texas and Texas Tech. Beat Iowa too. Those victories alone exceeded any Cyclone fans expectation. After Cael Sanderson bolted for PSU and the OC for tOSU, Jami Pollard, for his own job stability, HAD to make this move. …and I’m done defending ISU, lol. Living in DSM it has just gotten sickening, ‘All In’ ‘Proud to be One’ cyclone fans are chugging the Paul Rhoads Kool-Aid by the gallon. You do make some good points about state employees being overpaid and the supposed moral high ground Clown fans think they have on the Iowa program.
"GO HAWKS!" - only cure for Hawkeye Envy
by BentNotBroken on Dec 17, 2011 11:07 AM CST up reply actions
Paul Rhoads has done more or as much as any coach in Cyclone history.
That is no understatement either. Ames & Des Moines are so proud to have Paul Rhoads; ISU is experiencing a fanbase renaissance a Cyclone Spring. The contract is fair and well earned.
"GO HAWKS!" - only cure for Hawkeye Envy
by BentNotBroken on Dec 16, 2011 10:16 PM CST up reply actions
Hmmm...
Football revenues minus football expenses:
ISU = $9 million (before the raise)
UI = $24 million
Coaching staff salary expenses:
ISU = $4.8 million (after raise) equaling 38.4% of expenses
UI = $8.5 million equaling 41% of expenses
In this regard Rhoads looks like a fair value for the program. However, he does not win anywhere nearly as often as Ferentz, who by his fourth year had Iowa in a national championship hunt and would go on to three consecutive 10+ win seasons. In his third year he was .500 in conference, something Rhoads has not come close to as of yet. And it is worth noting that KF in his third year was not a particularly highly paid coach.
But, here is where I find Rhoads’ wage increase strange. ISU generates raw profit to the tune of $9 million, and pays their head coach $1.5 million less than does Iowa, a program that generates $24 million. The only justification has to be either wins or revenue increases (bowl appearances, donor giving, ticket sales, etc.) and the two usually go hand in hand. Dan McCarney from 2000 – 2006 (his last seven years) averaged a little over 6 wins/season, beat Iowa routinely, played in 5 bowl games in 7 years, and had a 9 win season, and within conference he finished .500 or better in five of seven years.
On what basis is Paul Rhoads projecting he can top that? And that got McCarney fired.
ISU is a state school too, so when Iowans complain about Ferentz’s salary they need to look now at the new kingpin of overpayment. Because while ISU might be on the uptick, and the common argument is “Rhoads is better then the previous guy(s)” they have averaged attendance almost 10K below capacity at Jack Trice for home games coming into this year and for their most precious win this year — against Oklahoma State — at home, at night, on national TV, it was NOT a sellout.
This is not about Rhoads, it is about Ferentz. There are plenty of Iowans who complain about Ferentz’s salary but these people have to center their ire on Rhoads as much if not more than KF to have any credibility.
I’m not trying to be snarky here, I truly do not get the salary hike. I get the hire and I get the “job well done” by fans and media, but does he deserve to be making more money than Bill Snyder, Gary Patterson, Mark Dantonio, Dabo Swinney, Kyle Wittingham, Butch Jones or even what Luke Fickell made last year?
Other than Turner Gill’s ridiculous contract from last year, I would go as far as to say that Rhodes is now the most overpaid coach in college football.
"I wish you luck with a capital 'F'" - The Real Elvis.
Iowa State has figured out that the only way they'll ever be relevant
is to get a Bill Snyder type to build up the program from within. Otherwise, they will forever be a 2-year stopover for coaches trying to climb to a good job.
Paul Rhoads is the best thing to happen to Iowa State Football since Troy Davis. His teams have the fans excited again. His Youtube career has recruits starting to pay attention. Sure, there’s always the overwhelming feeling of “oh god how are we going to survive this game without getting crushed by 50” gnawing at your soul, but strange things happen, and they’ve been happening a lot more frequently with Paul at the helm.
The OC transfering out does concern me. (I think it would concern anyone, really.) But the offense hasn’t been the driving factor in many of these games – under Rhoads, the Cyclones are something ridiculous like 13-1 when the opposition scores 24 or less. It’s the defense that has been doing the heavy lifting for the past couple years.
The theory I’ve got is that this wasn’t coming out until after the bowl game, but with the sudden Pitt vacancy they wanted to quash the Rhoads 2 Pitt rumors.
Executive Producer - WRNL TV
This sounds like a reasonable explanation
that Iowa State has to overpay for decent coaching. Lots of programs have to do that. Many think Iowa is doing that right now. I’m just a bit dubious as to how much mojo there really is at ISU right now. They do not sell out the Oklahoma State game. That stunned me. In Rhoads’ fourth year, they are still relying on JC’s for recruiting key players. The offense, to me, was the difference maker. To invert your claim above, the offense was delivering but the defense less so, so when they finally do deliver, there are points to get the job done. Iowa has been living on it’s defensive play more than ISU in my estimation and if Ferentz does not get the right guy to take over and the defense slides, I could see Iowa drifting into an Illinois oblivion.
But I think you’re on to something…Iowa State needs to create two strong impressions:
1. Paul Rhoads is a “happening” coach who is not going anywhere for a long time.
2. Iowa State takes football damn seriously.
By paying $2 million, they somewhat accomplish both of those goals. But from a strict POV of evaluation, Rhoads has only shown me he can beat a vastly superior team every so often. He has not shown me he can be a factor in the conference as of yet. Snyder did this — the second time around — in his 3rd year with a team many expected to finish with 5 wins, tops. So Rhoads might be generating excitement but much of that appears to be resting on a couple of exciting wins. He needs to show he can win more conference games than he loses, that he can fill a stadium regularly, that he can go to a bowl that actually makes ISU money. Tall order, but reasonable order now that he is being paid like a guy who is already doing that.
"I wish you luck with a capital 'F'" - The Real Elvis.
by StoopsMyAss on Dec 17, 2011 10:28 AM CST up reply actions
Another issue is the long-term future of the Big 12.
ISU might just do pretty well on the national stage, but it seems to me that their conference is on very shaky ground. In 10 years, will ISU even BE in a BCS AQ conference? And if not, what would that do to their revenue stream?
This pay hike was all about retention: Rhoads name was being bandied about and, just like KF when the NFL came calling, the admins decided to pony-up the bucks. Only Rhoads hasn’t done much of import yet, result-wise, so all he’s done is WAY jack-up expectations in Ames.
With this contract comes expectations, and the ISU admins and fans may not celebrate a 6-6 season with a couple of upset wins as much next year.
And yes, Stoops, the fact that there are empty seats in Jack Trice is bad news. ISU fans are INCREDIBLY fickle (cram in for Texas, no-shows for OSU), which will be a problem unless ISU manages to start winning 8-9 games for years on end.
by The Director on Dec 17, 2011 10:42 AM CST up reply actions
I think they did not go to the OSU game because
many thought they would get creamed, and why travel to a night game that requires, more or less, an overnight stay for many or a sleepy drive home from a blowout loss. I get that. But it also shows where the mojo really is there. The students are showing, I am sure. The hardcores are showing. But, they would show for Coach Nobody to a game with Texas that is winnable. So unless and until he can show he’s not just a guy with a Youtube video and a couple of upsets, but is really changing the face of the program, he’s overpaid.
I think you are dead on too, now he’s put the criticism bullseye right on his back. I think it is interesting how he and Ferentz are about to make HUGE hiring decisions both of which will define these programs over the next four years.
"I wish you luck with a capital 'F'" - The Real Elvis.
by StoopsMyAss on Dec 17, 2011 10:47 AM CST up reply actions
Indeed. And how long will the 'Im SO PROUD' schtick be viable.
"GO HAWKS!" - only cure for Hawkeye Envy
by BentNotBroken on Dec 17, 2011 11:11 AM CST up reply actions
Does anyone know what his buyout is?
If Rhoads has a 1-2 more years of good press, regardless of 6-6, 7-5, he’ll be attractive for bigger programs. He sees Dan McCarney, running the program at UNT, and thinks, “Dan stayed too long”. Something tells me that won’t happen to Rhoads.
DSM register states terms of the contract will be announced later.
"GO HAWKS!" - only cure for Hawkeye Envy
by BentNotBroken on Dec 17, 2011 3:57 PM CST up reply actions
Imagine if Iowa, even in the down years, had...
….a game on a Friday night against the #2 team in the nation from our own conference. No way we don’t fill Kinnick.
But that’s Cyclone football. Until they REALLY break out with an 10-2 regular season, and go to a BCS bowl, they won’t fill Trice every game—they need, frankly, bandwagon fans to pack that place. And when you’re not going to BCS bowls, you don’t become “cool” enough to attract bandwagon fans.
by The Director on Dec 17, 2011 5:23 PM CST up reply actions
In addition
Jack Three Times only holds, what, 50,000? And last I knew, their single-game attendance record was set last year or 2 years ago against, wait for it…UNI.
"There are few things graven in stone, except that you have to squat or you're a pussy." -Mark Rippetoe
Rhoads = ISU's James Morris
Local guy that can do no wrong, despite stats.
by TangerinePony on Dec 19, 2011 11:33 AM CST up reply actions
James Morris has current NFL Pro Bowlers to contend with
Paul Rhoads needs to win two fucking bowl games. That is it.
"GO HAWKS!" - only cure for Hawkeye Envy
by BentNotBroken on Dec 19, 2011 9:25 PM CST up reply actions
I think this is a good move for them.
No joke. I really think he’s good for that program. If he can manage to get a win over Iowa now and then, it’s probably worth the cash to them.
Re: Ferentz
No, you may not have him.
That is all.
I’ve actually been stalking on AP for a while now, just to see what you all think of the Manzi.
Stanzi caught on because what we read and saw in highlight videos
Now that we have gone thru our horrible season (almost) there are few left that vocally call for him- even though we all expected him to see some snaps- just to see what he’s got..
I for one am pumped!
"Stay Classy Kansas City"
by Mas Cervezas on Dec 16, 2011 8:12 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Moeaki:
He was constantly hurt at Iowa. It wasn’t one chronic issue, but he missed large chunks of several seasons with a variety of injuries, some of them fairly serious.
Tony and Rick only played one year together, but their chemistry seemed pretty good. He acted as kind of a security blanket, and made a several huge plays off underneath routes. He was also one of our best run blockers that year.
Stanzi:
Negative: Really careless with the ball, especially earlier in his career. He was somewhat famous for completely misreading coverage and throwing pick-6s. Also doesn’t really have the arm for out routes.
Positives: Throws a really pretty deep ball, moves in the pocket very well, has decent accuracy, and is good about flushing mistakes and moving on. Has a reputation as a good leader for whatever that’s worth. He also got much much better in his senior year, which is a good sign.
The Stanzi-mania thing started with the love it or leave it thing but he also at various points claimed that he didn’t drink vodka because it’s Russian, and that the only thing that hurt him worse than an interception was the idea of someone burning the flag. He’s also a super nice guy who did a lot of charity stuff around town, and he won a lot of games in 09 (though for the most part it was similar to the way Tebow is winning now-he’d play like balls for most of the game, the defense would keep Iowa in it, and then in the end he’d do just enough).
Reiff:
I think he’s definitely leaving. He’s done about all he can do, he’ll probably be the 2nd tackle taken, and he’s pretty old for a junior.
As a player, he has long arms, great footwork and pretty good technique, especially in the run game. He’s not quite as good in pass protection and will occasionally fall asleep there and let guys beat him, especially on inside moves. I think he could stand to get a bit stronger too. I would be happy with my team taking him, but I don’t know that I like him as a Top 10 pick.
Ferentz
I would be stunned if he actually leaves. He’s had the chance to coach in the pros before and turned it down, and he has a great situation here. He’s well paid and has better job security than he’d ever have in the pros. Also he has one son on the team and another who is likely to walk-on.
I don’t know that he’d fit well in the pros, even though he’s coached there and carries himself like a pro coach in a lot of ways. His biggest strength by far is developing players (and there may not be anyone in the college game better in that regard) and that’s not as big a deal in the pros as it is in college. In terms of in-game strategy he’s pretty mediocre and is conservative to a fault. He’d have to surround himself with assistants would be willing to push him a bit.
The Pioli-Ferentz relationship dates back to when they were both with the Browns organization, I believe. They’re still very good friends from what I understand.
That's about as good as one can possibly answer those questions.
NorseHawk knows his shit.
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Dec 16, 2011 8:25 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, NorseHawk 17 doesn't stand a chance.
Twitterz: @EnergizerHawk
by EnergizerHawk on Dec 17, 2011 8:05 PM CST up reply actions
Ice Water For Blood
You don’t have to worry about Ricky caving under pressure. 2009, the Orange Bowl year, was full of close games. More importantly, it had the Indiana game where, largely due to high winds, he threw 4 or 5 interceptions going into the 4th quarter. Somebody on the sideline asked him if he was ready to play the best quarter of football in his life, he said yes, then he went out and did it.
I don’t think he’ll be a Brady or Manning, but with a good team around him he’s going to be good enough to make you happy he’s your QB.
"If you need a rah-rah speech at halftime, you’re playing the wrong sport." - Pat Angerer
That makes sense on the INTs
That’s 1 thing ALOT of APers say about Stanzi in a negative light.. Ice for blood now that’s classic. I have high hopes he’s our QBOTF
"Stay Classy Kansas City"
by Mas Cervezas on Dec 17, 2011 10:02 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Stanzi is a 'gamer', but I suspect not a great practice QB.
When he was at Iowa in 2008, it took him forever to lock down the starting QB spot, as Ferentz kept playing a clearly inferior QB for reasons unknown. I wonder if we’re seeing the same thing now, with hopefully the same result: when Stanzi finally gets his chance, he could just be pretty good.
Stanzi has great ‘measurables’ in height (6-4 I recall), and weight (over 225), and mobility (he throws well on the run). In a pinch, he can tuck the ball and turn a loss into a 5-10 yard gain. While he had a lot of picks in 2009, he had hardly any in 2010, with about a 5:1 TD to Int ratio. He also is a game film fanatic, has a great behind-the-scenes work ethic. He’s a great on the field leader, which was apparent as early as 2008, when he brought the team down the field late to beat #3 PSU. He has a short memory for mistakes, which all the great QB’s possess.
I don’t think he has the strongest arm, and that’s where he may have trouble. But he’s got a lot of positive intangibles, most of which would not be seen in a practice. Which may explain why Haley never let him see the field.
by The Director on Dec 17, 2011 10:32 AM CST up reply actions
I think Stanzi
might struggle with a lot of things at the pro level. His reads are not great. His accuracy is better than Tebow though, and probably his arm is too. He is mobile enough and probably more mobile than Kyle Orton and Palko. He’s plenty big and throws from a high spot so I don’t expect his ball to be routinely knocked down at the LOS. The whole thing hinges on his ability to read and go through his progressions. He has enough of the other stuff, more than enough to be a useful NFL QB. If you look at the guys who typically come from lower rounds to start and be effective in the NFL, most of them, and really the vast majority of them, were very accurate in college. Stanzi was not but it remains to be seen if that was a KOK thing because Vandy is not throwing at a high completion percentage either and I though he would.
"I wish you luck with a capital 'F'" - The Real Elvis.
by StoopsMyAss on Dec 17, 2011 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
That's a very intruiging piece of information
Stanzi had to fight for his job/ was a back up to an inferior QB… Definetley the same path here at KC. We had no earthly idea why Stanzi didn’t start after Palko’s 1st start .. Unlike your coach that was Haley’s undoing.. Not that I’m complaining he needed to go
"Stay Classy Kansas City"
by Mas Cervezas on Dec 17, 2011 5:10 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
To be fair to Stanzi
he had to fight an inferior QB who was a returning starter and a junior, while Stanzi was only a redshirt sophomore at the time. Plus, Ferentz is incredibly loyal to his coaches and players who he believes in. It came out afterwards that it was Ferentz who was sticking by JC6 (the deposed-QB) and giving him the opportunities over Stanzi, despite the fans’ protestations and the Offensive Coordinator/QB coach’s own preference for Stanzi.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
Thanks norsehawk
Really informative
"Stay Classy Kansas City"
by Mas Cervezas on Dec 17, 2011 9:54 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Moeaki
I am of the opinion that Moeaki, if he could ever shake the injury bug that has plauged him, could easily be a pro-bowl level TE. Blocking and catching, he’s THAT good. Look at the games at Iowa where he was fully healthy and part of the game plan. 2007 Syracuse, 2009 Wisconsin, the 2009 Orange Bowl, he is a rare talent. Look at the catch from the San Francisco game last year. There wasn’t a better TD catch in the NFL in 2010. I truly hope he can stay healthy for a few years as I’m a big Tony M. fan, and, by all accounts he’s as good a guy as he is a football player.
Because the Gulfstream 5 has neither the airspeed nor the specs to adequately describe how fly I feel.
He has to be.
Or he would have given up on the foosball several years ago. Repeatedly going through that many different flavors of rehab in that short a time period? I would have said fuck it, for sure.
by Norm Parker's Amputated Toes on Dec 17, 2011 11:37 PM CST up reply actions
Stanzi is a playmaker
unfortunately, many of those plays will be for the other team.
I have always gotten in trouble for this, but I am not impressed by Ricky at all. He has a moderate to weak NFL arm, is inconsistent on deep passes, and has trouble with progressions and reads. The up side for Ricky is that all these things can be fixed, but I really don’t see him as anything but a backup in the NFL, if that. Remember, this is the man who barely beat out Jake Christensen for a job. Stats wise, he was prolific at Iowa, but he had some great receivers, and honestly, he had to throw the ball alot because we were behind due to his pick sixes.
He has a rep as a great leader, but there were rumors of a split locker room during his time at Iowa and that he didn’t do anything to help that.
Let’s just say…he’s no Casey Wiegmann.
Interesting point of view
"Stay Classy Kansas City"
by Mas Cervezas on Dec 20, 2011 3:46 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Stanzi is of decent leadership in a locker room but
I’m not sure it would transcend beyond that. He’s a hell of a nice kid who volunteers his time endlessly to very worthy causes but his politics were outed as a being bit skewed in his senior year, if not naive. But, few athletes could lead anything outside a locker room. So I think it is overrated. The Tebow thing is getting way overplayed. I think that team is being led by vets, as would KC.
"I wish you luck with a capital 'F'" - The Real Elvis.

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