At first, I thought the Ravens did quite nicely for themselves, getting a big-time back essentially for two third-round picks, though NFL front offices value a draft pick the following season at one round less than its value, so a third-rounder in 2008 is equal to a fourth in '07. Using that value system, is Willis McGahee worth a third and a fourth? Probably. It looks to the casual observer that they are going for broke and that if things don't work after this season, they might have to blow the thing up.

Some would argue that it already has started deteriorating a bit with the losses of Jamal Lewis and Adalius Thomas, but I would argue that McGahee is more diverse and talented than Lewis, though Thomas is hard to replace. I mean, I like Dan Cody and all, but come on ...

Still, it looks like a wise move, even if it diminishes the team's draft allotment. The Ravens, along with the Patriots, should be getting at least three and maybe four compensatory picks, which should be announced at the end of the month. I loved the quote by the Patriots' Scott Pioli on WEEI the other day, talking about how confusing the compensator-pick system is; they are counting on four picks but have no idea what David Givens will net them, considering he missed most of the season with an injury.

Dominic Rhodes' path has been an interesting one to follow this offseason. He visited with several teams, including the Giants, who gave him a physical but failed to offer him a contract. It appeared he'd be perfect in New York, but he opted instead for Oakland, where LaMont Jordan might be seeping out of the picture, despite deciding to stay in town and redoing his deal to do so. Rhodes, as we have seen, is a great complementary part, but not a true starter (though he started all 19 games for the Colts this season). We define starter as someone who finishes games, too. Rhodes must be in a rotation, but as teams who watched the Super Bowl saw, he can be a very nice part when you have someone else in the stable. The two-back thing is pretty en vogue now, as you know.