(My Sportsbook) - The Baltimore Ravens have to feel a bit like a third wheel.

Actually a fourth wheel, but if you call them that, the simile makes no sense.

In the days leading up to the 2007 season, the AFC title race focuses on three teams.

There are the New England Patriots, who were a defensive stop away from the Super Bowl last year and have added Randy Moss and Adalius Thomas to a talent- rich roster.

The Patriots will be trying to derail the defending world champion Indianapolis Colts, who still have that offense that gives opposing coaches nightmares, the one run by perhaps the greatest quarterback to put on a uniform.

And don't forget about the San Diego Chargers, who went a league-best 14-2 last season, welcome back everyone of note, and are spitting mad after being upset by New England in the Divisional round last year.

Whether fairly or unfairly, the Ravens are judged as being a notch below that elite trio. Baltimore wasn't consistently dominant in 2006 and didn't win a playoff game, factors that overshadowed a 13-3 season that came equipped with just the second division title in franchise history.

And many of the team's biggest stars - Steve McNair (34 years of age), Jonathan Ogden (33), Ray Lewis (32), and Chris McAlister (30) among them - are believed to be on the decline, striking another blow to the Ravens' preseason cachet.

Most expect Baltimore to win the AFC North again, but in terms of viable candidates to represent the conference in Glendale, AZ on Feb. 3, Brian Billick's club is flying under the radar.

For their part, the Ravens will be attempting to prove they are a dangerous bunch to underestimate.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2007 edition of the Baltimore Ravens, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2005 RECORD: 13-3 (1st, AFC North)

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2006, lost to Indianapolis, 15-6, in AFC Divisional Playoff

COACH (RECORD): Brian Billick (75-53 in eight seasons with Ravens, 75-53 overall)

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Rick Neuheisel

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Rex Ryan

OFFENSIVE STAR: Steve McNair, QB (3050 passing yards, 16 TD, 12 INT)

DEFENSIVE STAR: Ray Lewis, LB (103 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 INT)

OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 25th rushing, 11th passing, t12th scoring

DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 2nd rushing, 6th passing, 1st scoring

FIVE KEY GAMES: at Cincinnati (9/10), at Cleveland (9/30), at Pittsburgh (11/5), New England (12/3), Indianapolis (12/9)

KEY ADDITIONS: QB Troy Smith (5th Round, Ohio State), RB Willis McGahee (from Bills), FB LeRon McClain (4th Round, Alabama), WR/KR Yamon Figurs (3rd Round, Kansas State), G Ben Grubbs (1st Round, Auburn), OL Marshall Yanda (3rd Round, Iowa), T Jared Gaither (supplemental draft)

KEY DEPARTURES: RB Jamal Lewis (to Browns), FB Ovie Mughelli (to Falcons), G Edwin Mulitalo (to Lions), T Tony Pashos (to Jaguars), DT Aubrayo Franklin (to 49ers), LB Adalius Thomas (to Patriots)

QB: He didn't put up earth-shattering numbers, but the presence of Steve McNair had the desired effect for a Ravens team that was buoyed by his leadership abilities and poise. McNair is 34 and Ravens stakeholders still hold their collective breath every time he gets hit, but if he can stay healthy, the veteran should make a positive step forward in his second year at the helm of the offense. Barring anything unforeseen, this will be the final season on the Baltimore roster for Kyle Boller (485 passing yards, 5 TD, 2 INT). Boller actually played pretty well in occasional relief of McNair last year, but there is too much poisoned water under the bridge between the former first-round pick and the Ravens to expect him to re-up with the team in 2008. The club may have gotten a steal when it used the first pick of the fifth round on 2006 Heisman Trophy Winner Troy Smith. Smith has a lot of work to do to become an NFL quarterback, but he could benefit from watching McNair for a couple of years.

RB: Many Ravens fans rejoiced when the team acquired Willis McGahee (990 rushing yards, 6 TD, 18 receptions with Buffalo) from the Bills in the offseason. Most in Baltimore had grown weary of watching the declining Jamal Lewis run into walls of tacklers and show little of his former vision or burst. McGahee comes off a poor year in Buffalo, but is only 26 and should benefit from the presence of a much-better supporting cast than the one he left behind with the Bills. Either the soon-to-be-34-year-old Mike Anderson (183 rushing yards, 1 TD) or the fragile Musa Smith (153 rushing yards, 22 receptions) will back McGahee. Both played reasonably well when called upon in 2006. Baltimore got itself the best fullback in the draft when it took Alabama's LeRon McClain on the second day, but McClain's inexperience could force the club to keep holdover Justin Green (4 receptions) as well. second- year returnees Cory Ross and P.J. Daniels are squarely on the roster bubble.

WR/TE: For perhaps the first time since Michael Jackson and Derrick Alexander were doing the pass-catching for Baltimore, the Ravens finally have a receiving corps they can rely upon. Veteran Derrick Mason (68 receptions, 2 TD) and the blossoming Mark Clayton (67 receptions, 5 TD) were both consistent playmakers for the club a year ago, and No. 3 receiver Demetrius Williams (22 receptions, 2 TD) was impressive after being selected in the fourth round of the 2006 Draft out of Oregon. There isn't much depth behind the above three, however. Returnees Devard Darling and Clarence Moore (2 receptions, 1 TD) are regulars on the inactive list (Moore was actually released briefly last season before being re-acquired), and 2007 third-round Draft choice Yamon Figurs is extremely raw and likely to see few snaps on offense. Luckily, the club has a first-rate group of tight ends, beginning with the underrated Todd Heap (73 receptions, 6 TD). Heap led the Ravens in catches a year ago, and can be counted on for 70 catches as long as he is healthy. Daniel Wilcox (20 receptions, 3 TD) has been a productive backup to Heap for the last three seasons, and will keep his roster spot. Blocking specialist Quinn Sypniewski (2 receptions) appeared in every game for the Ravens after being drafted out of Colorado last April.

OL: The Ravens have worked hard to get younger along the offensive line, selecting future starters in each of the past three drafts. By the midway point of the season, don't be surprised if the o-line is comprised of future Hall of Fame left tackle Jonathan Ogden and four players aged 25 or younger. Taking over at right tackle for the departed Tony Pashos will be 2005 second- round pick Adam Terry, who has just two pro starts on his resume' but who some believe will eventually take over for Ogden on the left side. At left guard will be 2005 fourth-round pick Jason Brown, who should be ready to roll after starting 12 games in place of the injured Edwin Mulitalo (now with the Lions) last year. Veteran center Mike Flynn is back for his 10th year in Baltimore, though many believe that 2006 second-round choice Chris Chester will soon supplant him. When that happens, the man to move into Chester's present starting spot at right guard will likely be 2007 first-round selection and Auburn product Ben Grubbs. There is good depth in the trenches, with veteran guard Keydrick Vincent, third-round draft choice Marshall Yanda, and supplemental pick Jared Gaither all looking capable to start if necessary.

DL: Baltimore was effective in both three- and four-man looks last year, with ends Trevor Pryce (47 tackles, 13 sacks) and Terrell Suggs (64 tackles, 10 sacks) and tackles Kelly Gregg (61 tackles, 4 sacks) and Haloti Ngata (31 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) making up the core of this group. When the Ravens go to a three-man front, Suggs generally appears in the role of outside linebacker. Suggs, who is in a contract year, is expected by many to have a career season in Rex Ryan's scheme. The projected backups along the line - Justin Bannan (14 tackles), Dwan Edwards (7 tackles), and former Panthers third-round draft pick Aatiyah Ellison - are regarded mainly for their run- stopping abilities.

LB: The most notable offseason defection on the Ravens roster was that of Adalius Thomas, who was Baltimore's most versatile and perhaps most beloved defensive player but who commanded too high a price tag given his age (30 on August 18th). Attempting to fill his shoes on the outside will be Jarret Johnson (22 tackles, 2 sacks), who is versatile as well but won't be asked to do as much. The rest of the linebacking corps is comprised of Ray Lewis (103 tackles, 5 sacks), who "lost a step" to the tune of a team-leading 80 solo tackles last year, and Bart Scott (103 tackles, 2 INT), who excelled on the weak side in 2006. There isn't much veteran depth behind this trio, unless you count nine-year vet Gary Stills (25 tackles), who plays almost exclusively on special teams. Second-day draft picks Antwan Barnes and Prescott Burgess looked good early in training camp, and will be pressed into service in the event of injuries along with holdover Dennis Haley (13 tackles). The club was hoping that former second-round pick Dan Cody could recover from his injury history and make the team, but that seemed unlikely after Cody re-injured his knee early in camp.

DB: The Baltimore secondary remains a team strength, though the three most prominent members of this group - cornerbacks Chris McAlister (47 tackles, 6 INT) and Samari Rolle (52 tackles, 3 INT, 1 sack) as well as free safety Ed Reed (59 tackles, 5 INT) - are all enigmatic players who occasionally disappear at key times. Still, it's a dangerous bunch that terrifies opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators. The fourth starter is strong safety Dawan Landry (69 tackles, 5 INT, 3 sacks), who burst on the scene as a rookie last year after being selected in the fifth round of the Draft out of Georgia Tech. Four of the Ravens' projected secondary backups - Gerome Sapp (16 tackles), Ronnie Prude (9 tackles, 2 INT), Evan Oglesby (16 tackles), and Corey Ivy (28 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT) - are capable of making a play if pressed into service. Less is known about 2006 third-round draft pick David Pittman, who was inactive for all 16 games last year and is not a lock to make the team. Another holdover, Derrick Martin (5 tackles), could be in trouble a well.

SPECIAL TEAMS: You will hear occasional complaints in Baltimore about his lack of leg strength, but kicker Matt Stover (28-30 FG) is as accurate as the day is long and has made dozens of clutch kicks in his 17 years in the league. Punter Sam Koch (43.0 avg.) did a good job as a rookie and is not in danger of losing his position, nor is long snapper Matt Katula. The team will have a decision to make on return man B.J. Sams (25.7 kickoff return avg., 10.6 punt return avg.), who missed the final month of last season with a broken ankle. Sams is explosive, but with rookie Yamon Figurs now on the roster, the club has to decide whether it can afford to keep both.

PROGNOSIS: The Ravens have historically not dealt well with high expectations (see 2001, 2004), which is probably why Billick is not complaining about a lack of respect from the national pundits heading into 2007. This team won't win the AFC North walking away, but with Cincinnati's defense a work in progress and Pittsburgh in the midst of a coaching transition, it's hard to envision the Ravens not emerging with a second straight division title. It is doubtful that they'll go much further, with the quality of the AFC being what it is, but you can bet that the more talented Patriots, Colts, and/or Chargers will not relish the thought of facing this veteran-laden team in the postseason.