Each week, Baltimore Sun reporter Jamison Hensley will answer fan questions about the Ravens. To submit a question, send an e-mail to sports@baltsun.com. Please provide your name and phone number so we can verify the e-mail.
HEY, JAMISON: : How much is Ray Rice going to play? Is [Willis] McGahee ready to go, or will Rice get the start this week? Thanks.
Ron Brunk, Nashville, Tenn.
HEY, RON: : McGahee could be a game-time decision because he has been slow to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery in training camp. The Ravens' mind-set right now is that Rice will be starting. If McGahee is ready, that will be a bonus. Even if McGahee plays, Rice could split time with him because McGahee won't be at full strength. So drafting Rice in the second round might have been a surprise, but it seems like the Ravens' best move on draft day.
HEY, JAMISON: : I'm a huge French fan of the Ravens, and I'm very concerned by our secondary. ... Cmac [Chris McAlister], Samari [Rolle] and Fabian [Washington] seem to be unhealthy and our backups (Walker, Ivy and Martin) have been regularly torched during the preseason. ... Ed Reed is maybe done for the year. ... Can [Jim] Leonhard hold the job? ... Are we going to sign a veteran DB? I don't want to see big passes against our defense again this year.
Mikael Rassat, Villeparisis, France
HEY, MIKAEL: : You're not the only one who is concerned about the secondary. In addition to Reed possibly missing the game with a neck and shoulder injury, the Ravens will be without nickel back Washington and reserve cornerback Derrick Martin because they are suspended for violating the NFL's personal-conduct and substance-abuse policies, respectively. Plus, McAlister isn't looking as if he is at full strength after missing the preseason with a knee injury. Leonhard, who would replace Reed, has surprised the Ravens with his play, but Reed is an elite player. It could be a long day against Carson Palmer, who has had success in the past when the Ravens were healthy.
HEY, JAMISON: : There has been a lot of discussion amongst fans in the blogosphere about the Ravens picking up [Daunte] Culpepper from [free agency] to help support [Joe] Flacco at QB for one season. I've been searching but can't seem to locate any journalist having ever put this question to Ravens management. Any chance you could please ask and report their response? Many thanks.
Shawn Berriman, Arlington, Va.
HEY, SHAWN: : The Ravens weren't the only team ignoring Culpepper, who ultimately decided to retire yesterday because no one was interested. It's hard to believe Culpepper's stock could have dropped so drastically. He was one of the NFL's best quarterbacks only a few years ago. But injuries and age caught up quickly. Culpepper just couldn't play anymore. If he could, NFL general managers would have been calling.
HEY, JAMISON: : Will Kelly Gregg be playing Sunday? I don't remember reading anything about his status for Sunday's game.
Carl Hopf, Baltimore
HEY, CARL: : Throughout training camp, the Ravens were optimistic that Gregg would be ready for the season opener. Now, it would be a surprise because he hasn't practiced all week. Gregg is one of the keys to the Ravens' run defense. They'll try to replace him with Marques Douglas and Justin Bannan, but this could be a major loss for the Ravens.
