Take a look at the guy above, Ravens RB Willis McGahee. Compare him to Marion Barber. Now, note that both are represented by Drew Rosenhaus.

And conclude that if McGahee and Barber were considered of equal value to their respective teams. Here's the way to look at it ...

BARBER
Seven years, $45 million, $16 million guaranteed

McGAHEE
Seven years, $40.12 million, more than $15 million guaranteed

Count in inflation, and I think these deals are very, very close. In the end, Barber wound up exceding what Michael Turner's deal -- said to be a benchmark in these negotiations -- cost in Atlanta, while falling just shy of what the truly elite (LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson) have reaped. So you know, Johnson signed a six-year, $43.2 million deal with $19 million guaranteed last summer, and Tomlinson inked an eight-year, $60 million deal with $21 million guaranteed in 2004.

In case you're keeping score, and we have been, this is the second richest tailback contract that Rosenhaus has ever negotiated. Clinton Portis inked an eight-year, $50.2 million deal with $17 million guaranteed in 2004. The agent said that the Barber negotiation was just as smooth as that one, which preceded the Portis-for-Champ Bailey trade.

"We were confident all along, we've always had positive negotiations with the Cowboys," Rosenhaus said. "We bridged the gap the last couple days. With the start of OTAs coming, both the Cowboys and us started working hard on it. He'll be there tomorrow, he only missed one day, and he's been doing all important the things. This is a very fair deal for both sides."