Greg Cote's Random Evidence of a Cluttered Blog

G4: Heat 88, Bulls 65: Miami owns night, up 3-1; plus name Heat's biggest rival (poll; vote now!), '14 NFL draft, Sad-O-Meter, Jackmerius Tacktheritrix & more

Yes, it's Radio Tuesday: I'll be back in-studio with Le Batard and Stugotz starting at 3 today on 790 the Ticket and FM 104.3, even though, frankly, I'm dog-tired after a late night and early flight back from Chicago.

1) It is TUESDAY, MAY 13. New blogpost coming later today if I can, or early Wednesday. 2) Big Sunday for Tiger Woods fans like me, with his victory at The Players Championship and his adversary Sergio Garcia's embarrassing late collapse. 3) Hope all you good Ma's had a nice Mother's Day! 4) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Heat G3 win, return of Good Job Good Effort Kid, Heat aviary update, Palm Beach Dolphins, Super Bowl bid, Maxim Hot 100. 5) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.

LeBron earns defensive honor: NBA named LeBron James to its all-league defensive first team for fifth straight season. Other forward is OKC's Serge Ibaka. Guards are Memphis' Tony Allen and Clips' Chris Paul. Center was a tie between Knick Tyson Chandler and raging Bull Joakim Noah. No second-team Heaters. Shane Battier and Dwyane Wade got a couple of honorable-mention votes each.   

Chicago redux: Back in Chicago Monday, I paid $49.95 fee for early check-in. Won't ever stay in this Unnamed Rattrap again. On a positive note, on my full Southwest flight, one of only two empty seats on the entire plane was the middle next to me. I credit that to either dumb luck or my ability to secrete a skunk-like stink.

G4: HEAT 88, BULLS 65: SMOTHERING DEFENSE CARRIES MIAMI: LeBron James had 27 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds last night in Chicago, but the story was a defensive effort that limited the Bulls to 65 points on abysmal 25.7 percent shooting. Miami now with a commanding 3-1 series lead heading back to Miami Wednesday night for Game 5. The other big story of the night, for me, was the state of Dwyane Wade, working on a shaky right knee and held to six points. Wade's performance the rest of this postseason could be a key to Miami repeating. I explore in THIS COLUMN from Chicago off last night's victory. ..... Original post: Swing Game as defined by me: Miami wins tonight for 3-1 series lead heading back home and the chance of a nice, neat, quick five-games series becomes extremely likely. Miami loses tonight to even things and suddenly the chance of a full seven-game series looms large. Bulls then will be playing for their playoff lives in Game 4, realistically. But talent and health trump intangibles and home court, so I like the Heat once again. The return for Chicago of Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich again seems unlikely, and the return of Derrick Rose seems even more fanciful. Health frustration has got to be the root of Chicago's spate of technical fouls, three ejections and two league fines in this series -- the most recent a 35K slap to Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau for implying the officials want the Heat to win. Poor Tom sounds like he's expecting the opposite treatment and sympathy for his injuries. Doesn't work that way. Even fully healthy, Chicago would be a clear underdog to the champs. Chitown has no answer for LeBron James. The better team almost always wins in a seven-game series. And the better team -- the much better team -- is winning this one. As expected.

WHO IS HEAT'S BIGGEST RIVAL?: I've always been interested in what constitutes any team's biggest rival. Sometimes it isn't an easy call. I don't think it is with the Heat; hence, a blog poll! For me the answer used to be Knicks without much question (is it still?), then it sort of became Celtics (is it still?). Or is it Bulls now? It isn't just this current series that resumes Monday with Heat leading 2-1; Miami has faced Chicago in the postseason more than any other opponent. "Biggest rival" is a lot about gut feeling. So when I say, "The Heat's biggest rival is...", you say what? Vote now and say why.

MIAMI'S BRIDGEWATER PEGGED 2ND IN '14 DRAFT: ESPN's Mel "It's Never Too Early" Kiper is out with his first top 25 "Big Board" for the 2014 NFL draft, and it is led by South Carolina DE Jadevon Clowney, followed by Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater (pictured), the Miami-born former Northwestern Bull. No Canes, but four other state-school players in Gators CB Loucheiz Purifoy (10th), Seminoles DT Timmy Jernigan (15th), Noles OT Cameron Erving (19th) and USF DE Aaron Lynch (25th). Also of note, slotted 25th: Texas A&M QB and Heisman winner Johnny Manziel (should he enter the draft, of course).

UPDATED MARLINS' SAD-O-METER: We have this new blog feature we update as long as Marlins' winning percentage is under .300 -- as long as the New York Mets' infamous 1962 record of 40-120 (.250) is within dubious reach. Well, two straight losses have brought the S-O-M back. Updated Sad-O-Meter: Current record, 11-27 (.289). Season projection, 46.89 wins, 115.11 losses.

HAVE YOU MET JACKMERIUS TACKTHERITRIX?: Love the comedy duo Key & Peele, and especially love their spoof of football player introductions with a parade of increasingly ridiculous names. Click HERE to watch and listen. With one notable exception all of the names made fun of belong to African-American "players." Key & Peele also are black. Had this same video been done by a white comic I wonder if he'd have come under fire for making fun of blacks? I'm just asking!

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Significance of NBA's first gay player (and the reaction); plus Nets stay alive to face Heat, Dolphins' new SB odds, Ed DuBois & more

1) It is WEDNESDAY, MAY 1. Another year, another Greg Cote snub in the Tony nominations. 2) "I am no better, and neither are you." --Sly Stone, 1968. This for the intolerant: Everyday People. 3) Played golf Sunday at Jacaranda for a great cause in the Angela Kramer-White Memorial Tournament. I played lousy; however, I did win closest-to-the-beer. 4) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Grading Dolphins draft, Canes avert shuout, Heat sweep Bucks, Shane Larkin, Marlins Sad-O-Meter. 5) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.

Nets stay alive to face Heat guillotine: Brooklyn beats Chicago 110-91 at home to shave Bulls' series lead to 3-2. Winner faces Miami. Game 6 Thursday night in Chitown.

Click on The First Steps Forward for my latest column, on the bravery of Jason Collins and why this is important for pro sports and for the cause of equal rights.

WIZARDS CENTER: "I'M GAY": Free agent 7-foot center Jason Collins, who finished this season with the Washington Wizards, reveals himself as the cover subject (pictured) of the May 6 issue of Sports Illustrated newly available. His story begins: "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay." Click here for the whole story; it is as compelling as you'd imagine. Collins has seldom been an important player on the court. He last started in the 2006-07 season and has become an end-of-the-bench journeyman. His career scoring average is 3.6 points. But he has become an important player now, near the end of that career, by becoming the first active, openly gay athlete in one fo America's big-four team sports. Does this have the same impact as if a rising star had come out? No. But it still is a significant watershed in that a door that always has been shut has now been nudged ajar. Somebody had to be the first. Good for Jason Collins. Update: There has been widespread praise and support for Collins on Twitter and then there as this from Dolphin Mike Wallace: 'All of them beautiful women in the world and guys want to mess with other guys ... I just don't understand.' Wallace soon deleted the Tweet and quickly apologized. Hey you're not all alone, Mike. Chris Broussard today on ESPN called being gay "an open rebellion to God." What century is this again!?

DOLPHINS' SUPER BOWL ODDS: Courtesy the good folks at Bovada, updated post-draft Super Bowl betting favorites are 49ers at 6-1, Broncos 15-2, Patriots 8-1 and Seahawks 9-1, with Miami a modest 40-1 (tied for 18th). Pats/Dolphins are 1-2 in AFC East well ahead of Jets at 75-1 and Bills at 100-1.

Dolphins' pre-training camp dates announced: Rookie minicamp will be May 3-5. OTA offseason workouts will be May 21-23, May 29-31 and June 3-6. And mandatory minicamp will be June 11-13.

Poll result: Dolfans pleased if not quite thrilled with draft: We asked for grades, almost 3,000 of you and counting have responded and a plurality of 48.4 percent gave Miami's draft a "B." "A" (26.1%) outpolled "C" (21.3%), while only 4.2% voted "D." So roughly three-quarters voted A or B. Is that fairly interpreted as pleased-but-not-quite-thrilled overall?

THE REMARKABLE ED DUBOIS: I met Ed (pictured) several years ago researching a 50-years-later column on a Miami team that won the 1958 Little League World Series. Ed was a member of that team who went on to a colorful career as a private investigator whose work in the 1990s partly inspired the new Mark Wahlberg/Dwayne Johnson film, Pain & Gain. Actor Ed Harris portrays the role of DuBois in the movie. DuBois, also a songwriter, has a new country-rock feel song called Pain & Gain. Click on the title to download.

UPDATED: MARLINS "SAD-O-METER": We have a new feature we'll update in the blog throughout the season as long as the Marlins' winning percentage is under .300. The New York Mets' 1962 record of 40-120 (.250) is widely regarded as the nadir in its class -- the single worst season in modern MLB history. Now, your Marlins are threatening that ignominy, despite a season-best two-game winning streak. (The sad face is now for Giancarlo Stanton getting injured yet again). Marlins Sad-O-Meter: Current record after last night's win, 7-19 (.269). Updated season pace, 43.62 wins, 118.38 losses.

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Wade, Birdman lift Heat as champs seize 2-0 series lead; plus my NFL Mock Draft, your vote for Dolphins' 1st-round pick (w/ poll), new Bosh film & more

1) It is WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24. New Dolphins uniforms (left) equal much ado about very little. Apart from the apparent disappearance of the color orange they don't seem that new/different. 2) R.I.P., the great protest singer Richie Havens (right). 3) "Stay white, Miami!" --Micky Arison, 2006. 4) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Five reasons Game 1 should leave Heat fans cockier than ever, new Heat song, biggest-threat poll, lists. 5) Join us on Twitter @agregcote.

G2: HEAT 98, BUCKS 86: WADE'S 21 LIFTS MIAMI TO 2-0 LEAD: D-Wade's 21 points and LeBron's 19 were enough last night, with Chris Bosh, Bird Andersen and Shane Battier all adding 10. Dwyane's right knee still isn't just right but he's playing through it. Click on Wade Summons Some Vintage Moments for my column off Game 2. Oh, and Dear Brandon Jennings: How's that prediction looking!? (The Bucks guard had guaranteed Milwaukee in six games). "If it wasn't for their run in their fourth quarter," said Jennings, "we still should have won this game." The word is "delusional." ..... Original post: Game 1s in a seven-game series always are the feeling-out stage. What is each team's game plan? What's the rotation? "Game 2s are always harder," Dwyane Wade said after after today's morning shootaround. "We understand they're going to make adjustment and we have to be ready." That means Erik Spoelstra's imprint on the series gets a little bigger starting tonight. Bracketheads love the one-and-done of the NCAA Tournament -- they don't just love it, they rhapsodize over it -- but I prefer a seven-game format because who advances is a truer reflection of the better, more deserving team. Also love a long series because the complexion of it changes with each result. For example: Can you imagine how differently things would feel if Miami lost tonight and was 1-1 facing two straight games in Milwaukee? Yeah, I can't seem to imagine that, either...

'New Adventures of Christopher Bosh in the Multiverse!': We brought you the first bizarre little Bosh animated film several months ago. Well, a new one has been issued. Click RIGHT HERE to view. It includes a reference to the Miami cannibal face-eater, but that's not my warning. This is: The 11-minute film is so damned trippy that it probably would be best appreciated while floating on a '70s-style mushroom cloud. (Not that I'm endorsing that).

OUR 2013 NFL MOCK DRAFT: EIFERT TO DOLPHINS: It's our 22nd annual Mock, suggesting an expertise that may or may not be there, although my mock did prove more accurate than Mel Kiper's last year. (Self-depracation plus boasting = Humblebrag). Click on '13 MOCK for my entire first round with capsule analysis for each choice. Here is my Dolphins pick in its entirety:

12. MIAMI DOLPHINS: TYLER EIFERT, TE, NOTRE DAME —So many hedges and caveats trying to divine this pick. Florida State CB Xavier Rhodes might be the safest, most predictable call. And Alabama RT D.J. Fluker also looms possible. I might go Rhodes or Fluker if I wanted the safest bet. A trade-up to grab LT Lane Johnson or even Eric Fisher is possible; Miami has the ammo to go movin’ on up like The Jeffersons. Even a trade-down would not shock. (Much depends on whether the Dolphins complete a predraft deal to acquire chiefs OT Branden Albert.) I have a hunch about Eifert, though. Twelve is higher than his typical projection, but I am told GM Jeff Ireland and coach Joe Philbin are enchanted by Eifert (pictured), seeing in him what the Patriots have in Rob Gronkowski — somebody who can wreak havoc in the red zone and continue giving Ryan Tannehill all he needs to make it big. Eifert is too tall (6-6) for DBs to cover and too fast for most linebackers. If this choice is a bit of a “reach,” it’s a calculated gamble that could hit big for the Dolphins.

OK, now it's your turn: Whose name announced with the 12th pick Thursday night would please you most to hear assuming Miami does not trade up or down? A consensus of most major mock drafts is that it will be Rhodes. I have Eifert. Kiper says Fluker, whose inclusion in the poll presumes a trade for Chiefs tackle Branden Albert will not be completed pre-draft. Obviously plenty of other guys will be available at 12 so I have a "somebody else" category. In voting somebody else, though, please make sure you are thinking of someone who would realistically be available and tell us who. Alright. Ready, set ... vote!

HERE IS A LUNATIC LIST OF ALL 11 GUYS DOLPHINS WILL DRAFT: You'd click on predictionmachine.com for picks on the entire 7-round draft. I list their guesses for Miami's 11 picks here, and call it  a lunatic list with all due respect, of course. Here are their Dolphins picks: 1st round (12th overall)--Utah DT Star Lotulelei; 2r (42)--LSU DE Sam Montgomery; 2r (54)--Oregon State CB Jordan Poyer; 3r (77)--Stanford RB Stepfan Taylor; 3r (82)--Tennessee OT-G Dallas Thomas; 4r (111)--Alabama S Robert Lester; 5r (146)--UCLA OG Jeff Baca; 5r (166)--Tennessee WR Justin Hunter; 7r (217)--Georgia Tech CB Rod Sweeting; 7r (224)--Georgia S Shawn Williams; and 7r (250)--Auburn TE Philip Lutzenkirchen. Two respects to highly suspect this list: They have Oregon's Dion Jordan going late in the third round and LSU's Barkevious Mingo going mid-fifth. Both are certain 1st-rounders, Jordan likely top-five overall and Mingo not far behind.

Poll result: Thunder still biggest threat to Heat: We asked and you had to 39.1 percent Oklahoma City, 28.3% New York Knicks, 19.9% San Antonio Spurs and 12.7% somebody else.

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How excited are you by Dolphins landing Wallace? Poll. Vote!; plus 20th straight for Heat, Welker, Marino, new pope, WBC poll, Spo's girl & more

[It is THURSDAY, MARCH 14. New blogpost coming later today. 2) New Pope! New Pope! Jorge Mario Bergoglio -- henceforth Pope Francis; why not Pope Jorge!? -- has become the first Latin American and first Jesuit to become pontiff. He's a young pup, only 76 (!). Second in the voting: Edwin Pope. 3) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Heat win again, UM hoops, Tiger at Doral, Heat Big 5@60, Reggie Bush. 3) Join us on Twitter @gregcote.

Bettings odds for Wallace's 2013 Dolphins stats: Courtesy Bovada, betting over/unders for Mike Wallace in 2013 have been set at 62.5 catches for 925.5 yards and 6.5 TDs. Guaranteed that Miami (team and fans) are counting on the 'over' on each.

Pats lose Welker to Broncos: Wes Welker leaving Patriots for a two-year, $12 million deal to join Peyton Manning's Broncos feels like a win for the Dolphins. It weakens New England's hold over the AFC East. Supposedly Tom Brady -- who restructured his contract to save cap money with the idea of keeping Welker -- is irate. Cannot fathom that Pats would not match or surpass a Denver offer that, in annual salary, pays Welker slightly less than Brian Hartline's new deal with Miami.

BLOCKBUSTER! DOLPHINS LAND MIKE WALLACE AND MORE: Click on Buying Hope for my column off the signing of Mike Wallace. Dolphins' free agency began big as Miami closed the deal on the prized receiver Wallace (pictured) and also landed inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe to replace newly departed Karlos Dansby -- a big, and unexpected, signing. Miami also added FA linebacker Philip Wheeler and re-signed safety Chris Clemons. A big day for Miami. Wallace wore No. 17 for the Steelers. That's Ryan Tannehill's number. Somethin' gotta give. The Dolphins hoped they'd have a chance to face that minor issue, and now will. (Wallace said Tannehill can keep it if he'd like). Not everyone, though, agrees Wallace is good enough to merit the windfall of as much as $65 million over five years Miami is giving him. Setting aside the money factor, how good do you think Wallace is? Take a dip in our poll and say why.

DAN MARINO NEEDS YOUR HELP. (ACTUALLY, YOUR VOTE): We still love our Danny Boy, right Miami? Right South Florida? No, he never won a Super Bowl. Yeah, his infidelity scandal flared across our sky. Like Miami itself, Dan Marino isn't perfect ... just spectacular. So now it's time for Dolfans to show some love. ESPN.com is hosting a vote for the cover of Madden 25, the anniversary edition of the wildly popular NFL video game. It is set up as an NCAA-styled 64-player bracket (now isn't THAT original!!) and first-round voting is underway through March 20. Marino, perhaps under-ranked as a no. 4 seed, must defeat No. 13 Reggie Wayne, the ex-Hurricane, to advance in the Old-School Bracket, where he eventually would meet, we presume, top seed Joe Montana. (Uh oh). Ray Lewis is a No. 2 seed. Other Old-School ex-Canes in addition to Lewis and Wayne are Jim Kelly (7th seed), Clinton Portis (12th) and Cortez Kennedy (16th). On the New-School side, Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill is, alas, a 16th seed going up against a No. 1 in Robert Griffin III. The only New-side ex-Cane is No. 12 Jimmy Graham, facing No. 4 Julio Jones. Click on Madden25 to vote. (This vote means something to Marino. He's been re-Tweeting mentions of it, at least...)

WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: HOW MUCH DO WE CARE?: I'm torn on this third World Baseball Classic - - second-round games are going on this week at Marlins Park -- and on the WBC in general. It beats the hell out of the mundane inconsequence of regular spring-training games, but I have never quite embraced it as anything really important. I root for the U.S. team but find myself following the results more than watching them. I'm curious how you all feel about the WBC. And my curiosity, of course, is the petri dish for a blog poll! Vote and say why.

 

HEAT STREAK HITS 20!, SPO UNVEILS GIRLFRIEND: Heat last night won 98-94 at Philly for a 20th straight victory, only fourth team ever to do so. In honor of reaching 19 we'd linked to a live version of Steely Dan's "Hey Nineteen"; click here. Meantime, we'd like to introduce to the blog Heat coach Erik Spoelstra's girlfriend, Nikki Sapp, whom he unveiled at the recent Reid/Fiorentino fundraiser. Spo, very eligible bachelor, is 42. Sapp (no, wiseguy, she isn't 19) is 26. She was a Heat dancer in 2006, pictured as such at right in her, um, blonder days. Boom-chick-a-boom-boom! They've been dating two years.

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The Laura Silberman sham; plus Heat win record 15th straight, UM falls one to No. 6, Dolphins franchise Starks, golf's surprise, Bar Eaters & more

[1) It is MONDAY, MARCH 4. Sorry, again, that there was no live blog chat today due to a scheduling conflict. We'll be back at it next Monday 1-2 p.m. as usual. 2) Aside to Auto Nation: The "who you gonna call..." jingle that worked with the word "Maroone" does not work now. So stop it, please. 3) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Dolphins and Darrelle Revis, Heat do Harlem Shake, Heat/Canes lead monster hoops weekend. 3) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]

THE SHAM AND SHAME OF LAURA SILBERMAN: I saw this on TV and thought it was a joke. Like something from a Saturday Night Live skit. Premise: Female kicker gets historic NFL tryout but is so godawfully bad that it's, well, it's ridiculous-funny. So Silberman, 28, of New York City, appears Sunday at an NFL regional scouting combine at the Jets facility and becomes -- officially, and for all-time -- the first woman to participate in an NFL-sanctioned tryout. And what does she do? She sets women's sports back about two decades. She attempts two kickoffs. One goes 19 yards, the other 13. Then she stops, claiming a bad leg. She had played club-level soccer, no football. She had kicked her first football about two months earlier. Reports are she was unsure how to place the ball on the tee, or where to stand on her approach. She was thoroughly unprepared and unqualified for anything related to an NFL tryout. It smells like a publicity stunt. Yet the NFL played along, promoted her appearance, and the media throng there included E! Entertainment. Now, because of her "first," I have no doubt a quickie book or a deal for a really bad movie are right around the corner. Remember when "firsts" meant something? First man on the moon. First woman in Congress. First black president. Let the record state that the "first woman in an NFL-sanctioned tryout" was preposterously unqualified and had no business being there.

HEAT WIN CLUB-RECORD 15TH IN A ROW: [Update: Heat tonight won No. 15 in a row, 97-81 at Minnesota, led by D-Wade's 32 points. And I was dead-wrong about this being a danger/trap game]. Original post: Back to back the Heat have beaten a very good West team in Memphis and conquered an East rival in New York on the great stage of Madison Square Garden to reach a club-record-tying 14 consecutive wins. Tonight the record 15th straight W should come easily at last-place Minnesota, right? Except you know it won't, right? It's a classic trap game. Pictured: A lobster trap of the type Dave Wannstedt would hang in the Dolphin lockerroom certain weeks. The letdown factor will be big for the Heat tonight. Plus LeBron James has a slightly hyperextended knee and is questionable to play. He'll play (knowing LeBron), but this might be a good time for his first rest of the season. By the way, still not sure what to make of the Heat re-signing ancient Juwan Howard. Can't imagine he'll play any significant minutes. To afford that roster luxury is another sign how good the Heat are.

CANES DROP ONLY ONE SPOT TO NO. 6: That's in today's latest Associated Press college men's basketball poll, and that's fair and reasonable, following a narrow loss at Duke. Top five: new No. 1 Gonzaga, then Indiana, Duke, Kansas and Georgtown. Florida is 11th.

DOLPHINS FRANCHISE STARKS: To nobody's surprise, the Dolphins today placed their franchise tag on defensive tackle Randy Starks, guaranteeing he will be among the top-paid at his position but assuring he will not be lost in free agency. It would have cost the team more money to franchise pending FA's such as tackle Jake Long or cornerback Sean Smith. Assigning a franchise tag is the first major step for general manager Jeff Ireland as he outlines how the coming free agency period will play out for Miami.

WHAT A-ROD DOES IN HIS SPARE TIME: Yankee and Miami's own Alex Rodriguez, when not rehabbing from an injury or denying suggestions of steroid use, is now reportedly busy dating Torrie Wilson, a former wrestler and Playboy model. Torrie is pictured. (Is it cold in this blog!?)

 

GOLF'S CONSTANT SURPRISE: Enjoyed covering Sunday's final round of the Honda Classic up in Palm Beach and writing this column on the sport's splendid unpredictability. The week's script called for a Rory McIlroy-Tiger Woods showdown. Instead the final leaderboard was highlighted by a guy in Mr. Rogers' sweater (winner Michael Thompson, pictured) and a guy who'd had two heart transplants, Miamian Erik Compton. No team or individual sport more than the PGA Tour offers an anything-can-happen/anybody-can-win feel every week. Already looking forward to Doral this week.

Poll result: Interest in Revis, but not for 1st-round pick: We asked what you'd give up to get Jets CB Darrell Revis in a trade, and a plurality of 33.5 percent said 2nd and 3rd-round draft picks, 25.2% said a 2nd or 3rd-rounder and lower picks, 7.2% said a 1st-round pick and 5.9% said a 1st-rounder and more if needed. Another 28.2% would not give up picks for Revis.

A WAR ON BAR EATERS: A "bar eater," according to the Greg Cote Encyclopedia of Pet Peeves, is a person who walks into a fine restaurant, sits at the bar and orders a full meal that he or she consumes at the bar -- thereby occupying limited space intended for people who are A) there only to drink, or are B) there having drinks while waiting for a table. Again, I'm not talking about sports bars here; I'm talking about nice restaurants. To bar eaters and establishments that allow them: Restaurant tables = eating. Restaurant bars = drinking. Quiz in the morning.

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Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James. Poll. Vote!; plus new Dolphins logo, what makes Canes most remarkable, Marco Rubio, D-Wade's new socks & more

[1) It is FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15. How was your Valentine's Day? 2) Truly shocking: South African paralympian Oscar "Blade Runner" Pistorius charged with murder in death of his girlfriend. 3) Note: Our Heat Big 5@50 feature will appear as play resumes following the all-star break. 4) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Football Town/Basketball Town poll, Banana Joe, McKeon for Pope, Obama. 5) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]

Heat win again; LeBron scores 39: Miami wins at Oklahoma City last night, 110-100, in possible NBA Finals rematch preview. LeBron James' 39 points pushes to seven his streak of games with 30-plus.

MICHAEL VS. LEBRON MORE COMPLICATED THAN JUST A STATS COMPARISON: Though the Heat's red-hot LeBron James has a long way to go in his career, Michael Jordan always will be considered the greater player by those who simply look at scoring titles or perhaps titles won. But that's too easy, as I discuss in my latest column, The All-Round Game, in which I make the case that James is a more complete player who does more things well than did Jordan. Heck, just this week Stan Van Gundy said on 790 The Ticket he thinks LeBron right now is better than Michael in his prime. The notion isn't blasphemy anymore. Jordan told NBA.com he'd pick Kobe Bryant right now over LeBron because "five beats one every time," a reference to champions. Again, though, it's more than that. Weigh in. Vote in our poll and say why.

WHAT'S MOST REMARKABLE ABOUT THIS CANES' BASKETBALL RUN: Lots of things, is the answer, with the No. 3-ranked Canes men now 11-0 in ACC after last night's big win at FSU -- and maybe the story of the year so far in American sports. But this jumps out to me: Just looked at Chad Ford's Top 30 NBA draft prospects on ESPN.com and (you guessed it) zero Miami guys are on it. From a senior-dominated team. That's another testament to the job coach Jim Larranga has done, and to the balance and teamwork that more than make of for the lack of NBA-wowing talent.

DOLPHINS LOGO CONTEST-WINNER IS QUITE BAD: Maybe I shouldn't say this because The Miami Herald ran the contest, but it isn't our fault that readers inexplicably voted whatever on Earth is pictured at right as the best suggestion for a new Dolphins logo. Seriously!? I had to be told that the thing on top surrounding the mysterious black teardrop are interlocking gloves. The helmets on the bottom look like they should be dangling from charm bracelets. All of the nominated new logos including this one underline my long-held belief that there is simply no way to make a grinning, leaping, friendly bottlenose dolphin appear menacing. The team will introduce a new (or at least modified) logo around the April draft. If there is a God in heaven it will be better than this. 

Poll result: Miami still a Football Town, but basketball gaining: We asked in previous blogpost and 43.5 percent answered "Football Town, but margin is narrowing"; 29.4% said we're Basketball Town now; 14.9% said we're clearly still Football Town; and 12.2% said it's about even.

THE DWYANE WADE SOCK COLLECTION: Heat star and style icon Dwyane Wade is partnering with sock-maker Stance for a soon-to-be unveiled new line of casual and gentlemen's socks. This is a blog. Could I say it if it weren't true? I love the whole idea of upscale, designer socks. They are hidden by pant legs and covered by shoes but if you could see them you'd be impressed!

MARCO, MARCO, MARCO...: Marco Rubio, of course, is the junior senator from Florida who was considered a rising star in the Republican Party until the moment he was in the midst of delivering his party's nationally televised counterpoint to the president's State of the Union address and decided it would be a good time -- right then -- to chug from a plastic water bottle.

"DEAR GREG...": "...Your blog's OK but would be better if occasionally you would show a photo of the LPGA's season-opening Australian Women's Open being delayed because dozens of kangaroos are hopping across the course. Thank you." Dear Reader: Sorry. Can't do it.

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Tannehill vs. World: Name best young QB. New poll; plus NSD, Gangnam golfer, Heat Big 5@45, Amazin' Canes win again & more

This is your National Signing Day headquarters! (Not really): Proudly, we won't have up-to-the second updates on whether, for example, the Hurricanes landed coveted long-snapper Lennay Tanktread of Surgery Prep, because we know that info is only available to you about a thousand other places including live on ESPN. However, later in the day, we will assemble all pertinent information and then -- after extensive research consisting of the Internet -- we'll assess how the Canes and others did. Stay tuned.

[1) It is WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6. Hey, sorry I'm late, y'all. Barack and I were off skeet-shooting. 2) Alex Rodriguez thinks he might be the victim of a conspiracy. Looky here. 3) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): How power outage saved Super Bowl, SB grades, TV, '14 odds. 4) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]

Yes, the Amazing Kreskin is still alive: His publicist informs us the Amazing Kreskin correctly predicted the Super Bowl winner. That puts Kreskin in the exclusive company of myself and about 86.3 million other people who also correctly picked Baltimore. 

TANNEHILL AGAINST THE WORLD: NAME THE BEST YOUNG QB: Watching the Super Bowl the other night at my house with a small group, a friend remarked, of Colin Kaepernick: "(Ryan) Tannehill might become really good, but he's not this guy." I said nothing but immediately thought: Blog poll! This is a Golden Age of Golden Young Arms in the NFL. Just look at the seven names in the poll. All meet my criteria: One or two years' NFL experience, and 25 years old or younger. (The "somebody else" category also might include, among others, Nick Foles, Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker and Christian Ponder. Notes on three more: Sam Bradford is 25 but has played three pro years, Matthew Stafford turns 25 this week but has played four, and Brandon Weeden was a rookie this past season but is 29). Here is how impressive the poll names are: Tannehill might be last in some estimations, and he just passed for 3,294 yards as a rookie. You'll wish you had about five votes here but you only have one. So. Which young QB would you most want on your team? Vote and say why.

HOW AND WHY CANES LOST RB RECRUIT COLLINS TO ARKANSAS: I know folks at South Plantation High; was the baseball announcer there for several years. And I can tell you Miami didn't lose highly recruited running back Alex Collins to Arkansas because of anything Al Golden's staff did wrong. I am told Collins' decision was based on two factors: 1) He had built up a strong relationship with Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema, and when the coach moved to Arkansas (on Dec. 4, 2012) and took his Miami-area recruiter Charlie Partridge with him, Collins' thoughts immediately went with him to the Razorbacks because of that relationship. 2) The Southeastern Conference. Playing in America's premier college-football conference was something Miami and the ACC could not offer. Despite Miami's history of great running backs, Collins became convinced the SEC stage would better foster a future NFL career. A pretty major blow to UM's recruiting  class as Wednesday's National Signing Day arrives.

PROFESSIONAL GOLFER DOES IT GANGNAM STYLE: It was James Hahn, on the green, after a birdie putt. Funny. Click here to watch.

HEAT BIG 5 @ 45: The blog loves bells 'n whistles especially of the nerdy-stat variety and so we started this new one we are running throughout Heat season at five-game intervals. It's a top-five cumulative ranking of the players having the biggest overall impact this season based on eight statistical categories. The numbers themselves might not mean much but the numbers relative to each other give an indication of the contribution players are making. The Big 5 @ 45 Games (31-14):

Rank (@40)   Player   Total

1 (1)   LeBron James   1,711.1

2 (2)   Dwyane Wade   1,139.6

3 (3)   Chris Bosh   1,087.5

4 (4)   Ray Allen   687.5

5 (5)   Mario Chalmers   665.6

Bubble: Udonis Haslem, 454.1

Heat's subtle early lobbying to re-sign LeBron: LeBron James can leave in free agency after next season, in 2014, and one way Miami hopes to keep him is simply to show constant appreciation, publicly and privately. "To never, ever take him or what he does for granted," as coach Erik Spoelstra likes to say. Two nights ago James scored 31 points on a career-best, near-perfect 13-for-14 shooting. The consistency of his excellence can make it seem routine; Spoelstra's constant praise fights that. James telling ESPN.com last week he doesn't feel he gets enough credit for taking less money to be here did not surprise Heat officials. As one member of the front-office staff told me, "LeBron likes to be appreciated."

LARRANAGA'S AMAZING HURRICANES: [Update: UM steamrolled visiting Boston College last night, Miami's 10th straight win to go 9-0 in the ACC] Original post: I try to avoid hyperbole. Don't use words like "amazing" often. But Jim Larranaga's Miami men are 17-3, have won nine in a row, have risen to a program-best-tying No. 8 in the national polls, and are 8-0 in the ACC -- the first team other than Duke or North Carolina to do that since 1981. Yes: that's pretty amazing. I spoke to Larranaga yesterday for today's column. Being a head coach in the ACC had been a lifelong ambition of his. Even when he gained national attention leading George Mason to the Final Four in 2006, he had not arrived to where he wanted to go. Now, in his second season here in the ACC, Larranaga is proving he belongs. He is proving to be the perfect man to win big and also to grow college basketball in what has never been a hotbed. Click on Fulfilling A Dream for the full column.

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How a power outage saved the Super Bowl; plus grades for game, pregame, halftime and commercials; TV record, '14 SB odds, UM leaps 14-8 in polls & more

[1) It is MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4. Marlins' farm system ranked 16th of 30 in a new rating by ESPN.com. 2) Thanks to all who participated in today's live blog chat. We do it every Monday 1-2 p.m. See post directly below for transcript of today's palaver. 3) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): All Super Bowl Sunday. 4) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]

UM hoops No. 8 in nation!: Miami Hurricanes climb 14 to 8 in latest AP ranking, matching UM's highest ranking ever. Canes last were No. 8 on March 1, 1960. 

HOW A POWER OUTAGE SAVED THE SUPER BOWL: The first reaction when the lights went out? Terrorism. Just for a second. That was partly because these are the times we live in now, and partly because the NFL so meticulously scripts everything about a Super Bowl it was impossible to fathom such a major glitch as stadium lights going out and delaying the game more than a half hour. A halftime wardrobe malfunction is an “oops.” This was not an oops. This was a monumental embarrassment. The second reaction was to smile, think parochially and picture members of the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee braying laughter. Competition to get this game and its riches is beyond fierce. Folks from other cities surely were high-fiving when Miami hosted the first SB soaked by steady rain in 2007, and in turn this power outage was heaven-sent ammo for any city bidding against New Orleans for a future game. Those reactions recede, though, and this one takes their place: The lights going out was the best thing that could have happened to the Super Bowl last night. Not if intended by design could it have worked any better. Thank you, power outage. The fates that darkened the Superdome rescued millions of Super Bowl parties and gave them new life. The lights going out breathed electricity into the game itself, transforming what was looking like an awful, anticlimactic rout and turning it into one of the most compelling Super Bowls ever. Baltimore had gone up 28-6 when the impossible happened very early in the second half. Party guests from coast to coast were fidgeting and looking at their watches. But the power outage – so bizarre – provided a conversation piece, and a reason to stay. What if the lights never came back on? Would they finish the game Monday morning at Tulane or what? When at last the lights shone, the seemingly powered-up 49ers began surging and made a game of it as the Ravens seemed sapped. The power outage could have been hugely more controversial. Imagine if it had occurred in the middle of Jacoby Jones’ kick-return touchdown or as a scoring pass was in midair and the Harbaugh brothers were then arguing whether the play should stand or be nullified. Imagine if the Ravens had ended up losing and there would have been debate for all-time whether the outage had robbed Baltimore. As it was, what happened turned a bad game great and contributed greatly to last night being what all Super Bowls aspire to be: Memorable.

SUPER REVIEW: GRADING THE GAME, PREGAME, HALFTIME AND COMMERCIALS:

The Game. Grade: A. What more could a fan (well, other than a Niners fan) hope for? Ravens up 28-6, it's looking like a boring, anticlimactic rout, your party guests are fidgeting, then lights go out and San Fran turns on. Baltimore ends up hanging on 34-31 when Ray Lewis has his storybook ending right to the last page -- denying the 49ers a 4th-and-goal play in the final two minutes. Perfect. It was only the seventh SB in 47 to be decided by three points or fewer, and only the second SB (1979) in which both teams topped 30 points. In a word: Electric.

The Pregame: Grade C+. The very idea of a pregame show lasting longer than the game is absurd. There were some nice spots, though, such as the warm-n-fuzzy on Patrick Willis' foster family, and the technology piece on helmets/concussions. Dan Marino's involvement, as if nothing had happened, was interesting. One negative for me was the relentless emphasis on all the New Orleans cliches (jazz, gumbo). Just like a Super Bowl here will find the network all over South Beach. C'mon, TV.

Halftime Show: Grade B+. Beyonce was sexy and great and filling that stage. What a contrast to a year earlier when we worried old Madonna might trip on those steps. I could have done without the Destiny's Child mini-reunion -- would have much preferred a duet with Jay-Z -- but I know plenty of women in their 20s who were totally into the reunion. Beyonce was terrific. (No lip-synching, either).

The Commercials: Grade C-. Sorry, but I think the SB commercial-as-art, as something special that controls the Monday conversation, is dead. The phenomenon is killing itself. This was the first year a vast majority of the ads were purposely leaked over the Internet early, robbing them of the surprise element when they aired Sunday. The two Chrysler ads (Jeep/military and Ram truck/farmers) successfully tugged at heartstrings, but the ads that meant to be funny usually failed. The Paul Rudd/Seth Rogan ad sucked despite a cameo by LeBron James. The only two funny ads that stood out to me were the Taco Bell/old people ad, and the Oreo/library ad win which even a cop with a bullhorn was whispering.

BRONCOS EARLY '14 FAVE, DOLPHINS 50-1: Denver Broncos are early 2014 SB pick at 7-1, according to Bovada, with Patriots/49ers both 15-2, Packers 10-1 and Ravens/Seahawks both 12-1. Dolphins are 50-1, tied for 22nd, below the Jets (40-1) but above the Bills (100-1).

SB SETS RATINGS RECORD: CBS' final national rating for last night's Super Bowl was 46.3 with a 69 share. That is the highest rating isnce the 1986 SB, although last night's average of 108.4 million U.S. viewers was slightly below the two previous games, even excluding the time during the power outage. However, Nielsen says the total number of viewers, 164.1 million, set a record. Not surprisingly, Baltimore (59.6) and New Orleans (57.1) led the way, but San Francisco did not rank in the top 10. Jacksonville (53.3) had the highest rating of major Florida markets, placing 10th overall.  

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Vent! Wildly mixed views as fans speak out on Marino scandal; plus history lesson from Shula, Parcells & Sapp make Hall, UM wins, Smirk Saturday & more

[1) It is SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2. Have I mentioned that I, too, frequently go skeet-shooting? 2) Am thinking the Indiana Pacers now top the list of teams the Heat do NOT wish to face in the first round of the playoffs. Miami's rebounding weakness exposed again last night. 3) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Marino scandal, Super Bowl pick, Smirk Friday, LeBron upset, the Lance Effect. 4) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]

Parcells, Sapp head new Hall class: Former Hurricane Warren Sapp, ex-Dolphins executive Bill Parcells and briefly-a-Dolphin Cris Carter among today's newly elected Pro football hall of Fame class, along with Jonathan Ogden and Larry Allen, plus old-timers Curley Culp and Dave Robinson. Thought Sapp was deserving but wasn't sure he was a first-ballot guy. Tuna? Um, let's just say he didn't get in for what he did in Miami. Good to see drafting Pat White didn't hold him back! Congrats to all.

UM men win again: Huge win today No. 19 North Carolina State for 14th-ranked Hurricanes, 79-78, on a last-second Reggie Johnson tip-in. Canes end on an 8-2 run, to go to 8-0 in the ACC.

CATCHING UP WITH DOLPHINS' OTHER (UNTARNISHED) ICON: DON SHULA: Strange the way it worked out this week. One day before the Dan Marino scandal broke open, I happened to have a long talk with the Dolphins' other towering icon, Don Shula. I wanted to use the Super Bowl as a launchpoint to seek some memories from the man who has head-coached in more SBs (six) than anybody else. We spoke about all of them, the good and the not so much. Click on History Lesson From A Legend for today's full column, the result of that conversation. Don spoke at length of what a burden his 0-2 Super Bowl record had been, and thus what a personal relief that Perfect Season was. I also asked Shula about a perception of mine that -- even with a record 347 career wins, two Super Bowl wins and the Perfect distinction, he does not get the respect nationally that is due him. He simply pointed to the bottom line, the victory record, and let that speak for him. Today, a new one-hour documnetary, Shula 347, premieres on CBS at 3 p.m.

THE FANS AND READERS SPEAK ON MARINO!: A poll in the previous blogpost (you may still vote) asked whether Dan Marino's love-child scandal made you think less of him, and more than 3,000 of you responded -- with clear if not overwhelming support for Marino. "No" brought 59.7 percent, "yes" brought 31.9% and another 8.4% were unsure. The topic also generated around 250 comments in that blogpost. And my Friday column on the scandal -- Marino Deserves Forgiveness -- inspired more than 100 emails, from oh-thank-you agreement to incredulous objection. I haven't done this before, but I wanted to share a couple of dozen of the emails below, a representative cross-section. Overall I'd estimate the response was pretty evenly split (moreso than the poll results) between those who appreciated the column/support Marino and the opposite. Here's some of the reaction, almost all of it condensed:

"Why would this revelation be made on the eve of his Super Bowl pregame gig? Whoever leaked this surely wants to harm Marino. No one wins here except the lowly NY Post." -- Robert A.

"Marino has been spending his time on the practice squad!!!" -- Marc S.

"He deserves the criticism that comes his way. Some of us believe having sexual relations outside the marriage is wrong and the person SHOULD take a lot of heat, no matter how iconic." -- Maffront

"Agree with your column 100%. He did the right thing after he made the mistake. Many don't." -- James H.

"It irks me the media has to dig into everyone's personal life. Yes he made a mistake, but I could have spent the rest of my life not knowing about it. He doesn't need absolution from us." -- Patricia M.

"You have GOT to be kidding me. Just because he 'nobly admitted' the affair that makes it OK? Just because he's famous he gets a pass?" -- Mike

"The final word belongs to Claire and nobody else." -- RLPerez

"Your hypocrite buddy deserves nothing more than an immediate firing by CBS." -- Robert R.

"Your commentary said it all and I only hope Miami and the country will allow Marino to get on with the life he earned and deserves." --Stan G.

"Marino pulled off the QB sneak for almost eight years. is that a new NFL record?" -- David B.

"He has the same responsibilities we all have, but he actually should be held more accountable. He should be the example." -- Spikefootball

 "Thank your for your column. It is very humanistic." -- Ian N.

"The great publicity machine has ruined his life. The writing and reporting fraternity will never recover from this departure from common decency." -- Charlie S.

"We all have weaknesses. We all fall at one time. Dan will keep on doing the right and good things he has done in the past." -- Walter F.

 "This changes nothing as far as I'm concerned other than he's a human being with flaws like all of us." -- Doug B.

"Football players are not heroes. Most of them cannot manage their own lives and Marino is one of them." -- JoAnn A.

"Another case of the media midning others' business. Does outing Marino somehow make you feel better?" -- DM

"OMG are you serious? I cannot believe your Editor had the guts to run your Marino column." -- Josie

"Sorry, Marino needs to go away. I find his recently discovered affair, love child and hush money payments appalling." -- Joseph B.

"He's only human and his misdeeds shouldn't diminish the importance of his charity work and his years of leadership." -- Asra

"Dan Marino is human. The good he has done far outweighs his fallability." -- Jonathan R. 

"It's a very selfish act and dishonest. This just confirms more about him as a man." -- Mark E.

[Note: Thanks to all readers who take the time to write me. I try to respond to all of my emails, even if it sometimes take awhile].

Smirk Saturday: Super Bowl With a Smirk, sent here to tweak the self-imortant NFL and gravitas of its big game, offers its final edition today, with a menu including dueling parties, Roger Goodell, Crispy Blue Crab Gyoza, Hall of Fame, Queen, an orangutan and, as always, much more Click on Smirk Saturday for the full column.

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Shamed Dan Marino has done enough to be forgiven. Agree? Poll. Vote!; plus Super Bowl pick, Smirk Friday, LeBron upset, Lance Effect & more

[1) It is FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1. This is a jockey's favorite month, because it's the shortest. God that was awful! 2) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): A-Rod/Ray Lewis accusations, Smirk Wednesday, Cats slipping. 3) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]

Super Bowl predix: Upset! Ravens, 24-21: The favored 49ers might have an overall talent edge, but Ray Lewis gives the Ravens an emotional/intangible advantage, which often is big in a Super Bowl. Also think Joe Flacco has the vertical passing game to penetrate San Fran's D. Click on Super Bowl Gem for the full prediction capsule.  

MARINO LOVE-CHILD A SCANDAL, BUT FORGIVENESS TRUMPS SCORN: I have my say in my newest column today; click Marino Deserves Forgiveness to read. Do you agree? Vote in our poll below and say why you feel as you do. Original post from yesterday: Dan Marino, maybe the biggest sports figure in South Florida history, has been exposed by the New York Post for having fathered a love-child in 2005 and paid millions to the mother to support the child and to keep quiet. She evidently did not keep quiet. Full story here. Marino, a CBS analyst since 2003 who is to be involved with Sunday's Super Bowl broadcast, apparently had an affair with a CBS production assistant, Donna Savattere, then 35, that resulted in the birth of daughter Chloe. The mother and daughter are pictured. The news broke on Marino's 28th wedding anniversary to Claire; they have six children including two adopted daughters. Marino, when confronted with the news, owned up to it, saying, "This is a personal and private matter. I take full responsibility both personally and financially for my actions." Now, my take: Marino is enough a public figure to make this newsworthy, but I feel bad for Dan, for Claire and their family. He made a mistake eight years ago. He's human. This does not change his standing as one of the NFL's all-time great quarterbacks or as a Miami icon. Neither does this erase any of the good works he has done in the community in raising funds for great causes; I don't know of any athlete we have had who's done more. Some will think less of Marino and that is their right. He has paid millions in this matter, and now he is paying far more, with his embarrassment and with the tarnish on his name. How if at all does this matter affect your opinion of Marino? Vote and say why.

Smirk Friday: Super Bowl With a Smirk, here to tweak the self-imortant NFL and gravitas of its big game, is back today to refute speculation that Beyonce lip-synched replies to questions at her Halftime Show Press Conference. We have details on that, plus Ali, overweight cheerleaders, bowling, Tazon Latino, puppies, football laces and, as always, much more. Click on Smirk Friday for the full column.

Smirk Thursday: Smirk's Thursday menu included the lavish New Orleans arrival of the Roman Numerals (that's right), Beyonce, fake tickets, John Harbaugh's apparent sexiness, astrology, chicken, Hungary and, as always, much more. Click on Smirk Thursday for the full column.

LEBRON JAMES UPSET HE'LL MISS SUPER BOWL: The Heat play at Toronto Sunday and will miss most if not all of the Super Bowl because the team will be en route back to Miami on a private jet with no Wi-Fi or satellite TV. "How disgusting is that!?" James said. LeBron, a huge football and Cowboys fan, said, "If the Cowboys were in the Super Bowl I'd stay there for the game."

THE LANCE EFFECT: A-ROD, LEWIS DENIALS HARDER TOP ACCEPT: Lance Armstrong has made it harder for us to believe athletes when they say "I didn't do it," as Alex Rodriguez (Biogenesis) and Ray Lewis (deer-antler extract) have this week. I explore that here: Click on The Lance Effect for the full column.  

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