Thursday's Newsmakers

Some reading before we get to the day's big news:

• Have to start with this unbelievable story. I never thought the Houston astronaut tale would be topped, much less bested, within a matter of weeks. This is just too good to be true.

• On a more serious note, John Hollinger explains the logic behind ranking Bill Russell 7th on his all-time NBA centers ballot. I would never put Boston's big man that low, but he does make some good points. For what it's worth, here's my top ten:

1. Wilt Chamberlain
2. Kareem Abdul Jabar
3. Bill Russell
4. Shaq
5. Hakeem Olajuwon
6. Moses Malone
7. George Mikan
8. Bill Walton
9. David Robinson
10. Patrick Ewing

Big story of the day is Willis McGahee's move to Baltimore. Funny, I remember being crestfallen when Willis blew out his knee in the Fiesta Bowl because I thought he's be perfect in the Texans' backfield (Houston had the 3rd overall pick in the draft that year). Of course, he's largely underachieved in his professional career thus far and his surly attitude has rubbed pretty much everyone the wrong way, which is exactly why Buffalo couldn't wait to get rid of him. By the way, this is exactly why I had the Bills taking Marshawn Lynch in the draft. Looks pretty good right now.

Can't blame Baltimore for bringing him in, McGahee is certainly a huge upgrade over the now-departed Jamal Lewis. And I suspect his fellow Hurricanes (Ed Reed and Ray Lewis) will keep in line, at least for the first year. Good move for the Ravens, when you consider this team is built to win NOW and the cost was two third rounders and a seventh. Of course, it won't mean anything until the Baltimore offense can finally put more than ten points on the board consistently. Steve McNair is D-O-N-E, so you know what that means. That's right, the Ravens ultimately will still live and die with the development of Kyle Boller. Good luck with that, Baltimore.

As for the aforementioned Jamal Lewis, I hear people saying this precludes them from taking Adrian Peterson at the three spot. Ummm, why? Again, there's nothing wrong with a two-back system, especially when Jamal Lewis has two good years left AT THE MOST. To me, this is exactly the same as the Texans signing Ahman Green. It helps to shore up a position of need for one year, two at the max. Which means that position is still fair game come draft day. That's why you ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS either take the best player available, or do your best to trade down.