RB frenzy, Pats' risk, Ginn's burden, a new Merriman

	After trading Willis McGahee this offseason, the Bills selected Cal running back Marshawn Lynch with the No. 12 pick. John McDonough/SI
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Ten final thoughts on the doings around the league on draft weekend:

1. The success of rookie running backs was a huge story in 2006, with first-rounders Reggie Bush, Laurence Maroney, Joseph Addai and DeAngelo Williams making a big impact, and Maurice Jones-Drew (second round), Jerious Norwood (third), Leon Washington (fourth) and Wali Lundy (sixth) contributing early as well.

Perhaps that's why teams drafted 25 running backs over the weekend, eight more than last year's 17. There were only two first-round running backs taken this year however -- Adrian Peterson (No. 7 to Minnesota) and Marshawn Lynch (No. 12 to Buffalo) -- the lowest total since 2003, when Willis McGahee and Larry Johnson were the only first-round rushers selected.

The trend seemed to be toward trying to find another Jones-Drew, Norwood or Washington in rounds two, three or four. Last year, just six running backs were drafted in those rounds. But that number almost doubled to 11 this time around, with Kenny Irons (Bengals), Chris Henry (Titans), Brian Leonard (Rams) and Brandon Jackson (Packers) leading the way in the second round, and runners such as Garrett Wolfe (Bears), Lorenzo Booker (Dolphins), Antonio Pittman (Saints) and Michael Bush (Raiders) going in the third or fourth stanzas.

The record compiled by the Class of 2006 running backs is going to be tough to match, but if I had to put a buck down on my bet to lead all rookie rushers in '07, it'd be on Lynch, who should get the opportunity to front the Bills' running game from day one.

2. Having seen Randy Moss's act up close and personal during his first two eye-popping seasons in the NFL in Minnesota, I'm far from a Moss apologist. But I do think the most telling indicator that he is serious about getting with the program in New England is his willingness to slice his $9.25 million 2007 salary to a $3 million, one-year deal, with another $2 million earnable via incentives.

If Moss had said all the right things for all the right reasons about wanting to be a Patriot, but then balked at giving up any of his money, that would have told us plenty about the attitude he brings to Foxboro. But the money left on the table talks. And to me it's saying that Moss realizes he's approaching last-shot territory, and he's desperate for both a Super Bowl ring and a little restoration work on his legacy as a potential Hall of Fame receiver.

And here's something to keep in mind the next three months as we debate the wisdom of New England's move: Moss's showing with the Patriots this season will tell us all we need to know. I think it'll be either an obvious grand slam, or an obvious whiff, with very little room for middle ground.

I think he's an acquisition who will help ensure the Patriots outscore the high-powered Colts in their inevitable playoff showdown, giving New England a passing game that can trade punches with Peyton Manning and Co.