OWINGS MILLS – Haunted in the past by the aggressive Pittsburgh Steelers' defense repeatedly smashing into quarterback Joe Flacco, the Baltimore Ravens are facing an even more arduous task this week.

Following an offseason erased by the NFL lockout and a chaotic preseason where the starting offensive line didn’t play a single snap together in a game, the Ravens’ revamped line is cramming in timing and chemistry this week. The Steelers and their vaunted pass rush are the Ravens’ first challenge as they open the season Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

“It’s not an ideal situation for us, that’s for sure,” said six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk, who didn’t play in any preseason games after undergoing surgery on his left knee to start training camp. “That’s the world we live in right now. We’ll work hard all week and study film and be as ready as we can on Sunday.

“It’s chemistry stuff, working next to guys, seeing things certain ways, blocking certain ways. I guess that’s why training camp is five weeks long because you need time to work together and gel.”

Last season, the Ravens faltered in key blocking situations against the Steelers They lost a December game in Baltimore as strong safety Troy Polamalu went untouched b y offensive tackle Michael Oher on a busted assignment and forced Flacco to fumble to set up the Steelers’ game-winning touchdown.

The Ravens allowed 40 sacks last season.

Now, the Ravens’ new look offensive line of former Pro Bowl left tackle Bryant McKinnie, left offensive guard Ben Grubbs, Birk, right guard Marshal Yanda and right offensive tackle Michael Oher have to get ready on the fly.

“We’re going to make sure it’s not a problem,” coach John Harbaugh said. “That’s our jobs, all of us together, to make sure it’s not a problem. We’re playing on Sunday at 1 o’clock. We’re not making any excuses.

“We know what we’re going to do. They know what they’re going to do. There will be a few wrinkles here and there, but we’re just going to go play. I’m very confident in how we’re going to play.”

There are many reasons why the Ravens had to make so many late adjustments.

McKinnie was signed late in the preseason after being cut by the Minnesota Vikings due to weight issues and a hefty salary-cap figure. With his arrival, Oher shifted back to right tackle. And Yanda missed three preseason games due to back spasms.

Grubbs was the lone starter to play every game at his usual spot.

Nonetheless, the Ravens expect to put together a viable performance.

“Of course, we’re ready,” Yanda said. “We’ve been working as hard as we can. We’ll be as prepared as we can be. We’re excited and we’re getting ready.”

Yanda downplayed his bout with back spasms, saying, “It’s recovered. I feel great.”

Birk is the biggest question mark.

He has been practicing, but has yet to test his surgically-repaired knee in a game.

“I hope to,” Birk said when asked if he thinks he’ll start Sunday. “I’ll just do everything I can to get ready. If I can’t, I can’t.”

Birk said he has been nearly full-go in practice, but added his knee has good days and bad days.

“It's kind of a funny thing,” he said. “Sometimes it responds well and sometimes it doesn't. I just do everything I can to get it to feel good and get it to feel right.”

Just in case Birk isn't ready, the Ravens signed five-time Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million.

The former Dallas Cowboys standout practiced Monday after passing his physical and rushing back to Texas to get some clothes after a whirlwind NFL tour where he visited the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions and the New England Patriots before signing with Baltimore.

Harbaugh declined to say if Gurode will be a backup or a starter, but the plan is for Birk to start and for Gurode to be an insurance policy if his knee can’t handle contact situations.

“I wouldn’t want to define it,” Harbaugh said. “He’s another good player on our team. It’s just another guy that can play, and it’ll be our job to get him up to speed as quickly as we can.”

Birk said he welcomes Gurode’s presence and doesn’t seem threatened by him.

“He’s a great player,” Birk said. “I’ve admired him from afar for a long time. I can’t believe a player like that was out there. To add a guy like that to your line, it makes you better.

Making Birk’s job even tougher is Steelers hulking Pro Bowl nose guard Casey Hampton, a heavyweight interior defensive lineman known for making centers look like they’re playing on roller skates.

“He’s a beast,” Birk said. “He doesn’t make the Pro Bowl every year by accident. He can two-gap, he can penetrate. He can do anything they want him to do. Sometimes, he covers backs out of the backfield.

“Obviously, he’s a big part of what they do. Obviously, I’ll have my hands full on Sunday.”

Harbaugh acknowledged that an offensive line does need time together to be effective.

Regardless of the situation, he has confidence in his line.

“There is truth to it, but also the better the players, the easier that is,” Harbaugh said. “You could not have good players and you can work together all you want, and it’s not going to be a good product. If you have good players, you have a chance to be better. It’s going to be a work in progress into the season, but I like where they’re going.”