OWINGS MILLS — Just like in the movie industry when the director signals his final cut, the film is already in the can for several players hoping to make the Baltimore Ravens’ roster.

As they sweat out the final hours while awaiting word on whether they’ll survive today’s final major roster cutdown after concluding the preseason, there’s a collective realization that it’s out of their control.

Now, their respective fates are being contemplated by a group of tough critics: the Ravens’ coaching staff, executives and scouts.

“I did my best, so wherever the chips fall now, it’s out of your hands,” center-guard David Hale said Friday afternoon. “Last year, I was a bit of a wreck wondering what was going on. It’s all going to be a numbers game.

“If the opportunity isn’t here, then you’ve got to hope for the best that you get picked up by another NFL team. It’s out of your control, so worrying about it isn’t going to change anything.”

Unlike their NFL brethren, the Ravens made no roster cuts on Friday. So, 22 players are about to get telephone calls today asking them to report to the Ravens’ training complex with their playbooks in hand.

For wide receiver Justin Harper, his grasp on the fifth receiver spot has been endangered by his suspect hands. Harper was plagued with drops throughout the preseason, overshadowing his occasional penchant for spectacular catches. In a 20-3 preseason finale victory over the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Thursday night, Harper dropped at least two passes and didn’t play very physical. He was targeted three times in Atlanta and didn’t have a catch.

“It was a tough night,” Harper said. “I need to make plays consistently and I didn’t do that. Whether they still want me, that’s up to them. I need to make plays, so they can keep me.”

It’s possible that the Ravens may scour the waiver wire in search of a fifth wideout, perhaps hoping that New York Giants wide receiver and special-teams standout David Tyree or Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Reggie Brown, whom the Ravens scouted recently, is available.

Or they could go with Yamon Figurs or Jayson Foster as the fifth guy. Figurs remains the fastest player on the team despite offseason foot surgery and his hands have improved markedly. He’s also an experienced punt returner who could fill in behind Chris Carr since rookie Lardarius Webb has been having fumbling issues.

“Coming off the injury, I feel pretty good,” Figurs said. “We’ll see what happens. I feel good about myself, my body movements and how I’ve been playing.”

Meanwhile, kicker Steve Hauschka seems assured of being named the starter over Graham Gano today after connecting on field goals from 46 and 33 yards in Atlanta. Hauschka converted 5 of 6 field goals with one miss, a 27-yarder he pushed wide right against the Carolina Panthers.

“I’ll get the call Saturday,” Hauschka said. “I did everything I wanted to do. I did miss a kick, but I think it was important the way I responded to it. It’s probably a good thing, looking back, that I missed that kick.”

The simplest path onto the roster is to be capable of playing more than one position or to have injuries affecting depth at a player’s spot. In the case of tight end Edgar Jones, he’s also capable of filling in as a pass-rushing outside linebacker and is on several special teams units. Plus, veteran L.J. Smith is still dealing with a pulled hamstring.

“I think that flexibility helps,” Jones said. “They always say, the more you can do, the better off you are.”

Jones’ status could also be affected by rookie tight end Davon Drew, a fifth-round pick who has potential but hasn’t distinguished himself this month.

Inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe is a potential candidate for injured reserve. Although his sprained right medial collateral ligament has improved and he says he won’t require surgery, the undrafted rookie from Georgia simply hasn’t healed quickly enough.

“It is better, but it’s not quite there yet,” Ellerbe said. “I just have to wait and see what they want to do.”

Outside linebacker William VanDeSteeg has hustled nonstop, drawing praise from the coaching staff and has made a fair amount of big plays. However, he has acknowledged the reality that making the 53-man roster probably isn’t in the cards for him. If he’s cut Saturday and clears waivers, he’s a strong possibility for the eight-man practice squad.

“Making the 53 would be really tough,” VanDeSteeg said. “I’m just praying for the best. I would be delighted to be on the practice squad.”