From today’s b, the paper

Walking around the Ravens’ building this week, you couldn’t help but feel sorry for John Harbaugh and the crew over there. I love the Ravens. I want them to win 19 games this year. But facts are facts, and this looks to be a painful campaign if the early going is any indication.

The situation is pretty dire on the quarterback front unless Joe Flacco is a miracle worker and becomes an instant star in the NFL. And with the current tackle situation, Todd Heap’s iffy status and the wide receiver crew in flux, it doesn’t appear likely even if Flacco shows all the signs of a potential franchise quarterback.

Maybe Troy Smith, once recovered from his strep throat, can run around enough and work some magic. And Kyle Boller will not be a factor anytime soon with his torn labrum. Injuries have become a roster-wide issue as we approach the season opener next Sunday against the Bengals. Overall, the injuries and the age and the abilities and the depth aren’t encouraging.

The problems on the offensive side are apparent. The Ravens are hoping that Ray Rice can flash some signs of life (if not LaDainian Tomlinson’s numbers). And they’re clearly upbeat about Flacco’s possibilities at some point down the line. On defense, it’s just been a mess because they’ve been starting the game with the second-team unit and going backward.

Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg must get on the field for 16 games, and that’s not very likely. Ngata has been nicked up but is less of a concern, while Gregg’s status is a complete mystery. The longer he stays out, the more questions are being asked as to how his legs are holding up. The Ravens’ trade for Marques Douglas Wednesday – giving up a 2009 draft pick for a defensive lineman – should tell you all you need to know about how they feel about their defensive line depth.

In the secondary. Chris McAlister is in the twilight zone. Ed Reed hasn’t put pads on and his shoulder injury has everyone in the building on edge. Samari Rolle hasn’t been a factor and the epilepsy issue with him will not go away. Rolle and McAlister are both getting up in age for cornerbacks chasing young bucks each Sunday. Frank Walker, Corey Ivy and Fabian Washington all look like major steps back from what we’re accustomed to and what will be necessary to chase Braylon Edwards, Hines Ward and Chad Johnson around the AFC North.

Last, but not least, are the linebackers, led by “walk year” legend Ray Lewis. You have to believe this will be the team’s strongest unit, with Terrell Suggs and Antwan Barnes chasing the quarterback, aided by a healthy but aging Trevor Pryce on the line. And Jarret Johnson is always solid when he’s on the field.  I’d have to say this is the least of Rex Ryan’s concerns, but getting pressure on the quarterback would certainly help to mask the deficiencies in the secondary.

The Las Vegas oddsmakers have the Ravens at six wins for 2008. If you think they’ll go 7-9, you could make a lot of money betting the over. But right now, if I were a betting man (and I’m not), I’d have a hard time finding a way for them to win seven games as currently constructed.

For the season, I have low hopes and no unreasonable expectations. In some ways, it’ll make the season more enjoyable because anything good they do will be twice as fun since it will be completely unexpected.

Nestor Aparicio is the owner of WNST-AM 1570. His column appears Mondays and Fridays. For more, go to wnst.net

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