Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will answer fans’ questions throughout the Ravens season. Coming off Baltimore’s 38-6 win in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions, plenty of questions remain heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

Here’s Preston’s take:

(Editor’s note: Questions have been edited for length and clarity.)

With the trade deadline looming, is there a particular player/position that you think the Ravens should pursue to strengthen the roster? — Paul in Orlando

The Ravens are in the same shape as several teams. They could use some help in many areas, including running back, offensive line and outside linebacker. That could change in a week or two, but right now the Ravens are 5-2 and there don’t seem to be any big names out there who would have a significant impact such as middle linebacker Roquan Smith did last year when he was acquired from the Chicago Bears. Except Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry. Can you imagine that guy in the Ravens’ backfield?

It might be wishful thinking right now, but you never know which player might be available. You look at some of the older players on the Ravens’ roster such as outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and wonder whether they will hold up for the entire season.

Why do you think the Ravens offense has been so inconsistent, particularly in the second half of games? — Andy in Hagerstown

I think you can look at halftime adjustments and the lack of a killer instinct. The Ravens have had big leads in several games this season, so the emphasis isn’t on making changes but seeing what the opposing team does to slow them down. I’m not sure there has been that type of preparation, even though the Ravens finished strong against Detroit last week.

Even when doing well, coordinators need to plan for changes by the opposition and decide what their counter will be. Some have said the Ravens have been conservative on offense in the second half, but that’s not true. They’ve made mistakes and been inconsistent, especially passing the ball. They’ll need to improve in those areas if they want to advance deep into the postseason.

If Marlon Humphrey is considered a “lockdown” cornerback, why is it that opposing teams are regularly throwing to the receiver he is covering? — Jan

I’ve never considered Humphrey a lockdown or shutdown corner. I think he is a very good player and competes extremely hard, but there aren’t very many shutdown corners in the NFL similar to Deion Sanders or Darrelle Revis. Once a team finds one, they don’t let them leave.

Do you think the performances by the running backs on Sunday put an end to potential trade rumors? Both Justice Hill and Gus Edwards had rushes of 20-plus yards; is the running game’s potential more reliant upon the dominance of the offensive Line than who the running back is? — Seth Goldstein

Nope. There is always a need for running backs because they are so prone to injury, but I don’t see the Ravens making a trade unless they can upgrade what they already have. Both Hill and Edwards are limited; Edwards is good at running inside and Hill has the speed and burst to get outside and also become a weapon in the passing game on third down. The Ravens, though, would like a more complete back who can do all of those things, and that was supposed to be J.K. Dobbins’ role this season before he tore his Achilles tendon in Week 1. At this point, the Ravens will be open to a trade pending the cost and whether it would be a significant upgrade for the entire offense, not just the running game.

The way Patrick Queen, Geno Stone and Justin Madubuike have been playing so far this season, have they all priced themselves out of coming back for the Ravens next season? Or do you see a scenario where at least 2 of the 3 return? — Paul in Orlando

I said before the season started that Queen was going to have a big year because he has a complementary player at middle linebacker in Smith and is entering the final year of his rookie contract. If I were Queen, I would test the open market because his speed and experience make him attractive. The same can be said for Madubuike, who has improved each of his four seasons. His quickness and penetration allow him to disrupt the running game, but he has also become a force as a pass rusher. He hasn’t maxed out his potential yet.

It will be hard for the Ravens to re-sign both, especially since they signed Smith to a five-year, $100 million contract extension toward the end of last season. As for Stone, he’s had an exceptional first half of the season. He is an extremely intelligent player who relies more on awareness than athleticism and is willing to make the most of every opportunity. It all depends on the Ravens’ salary cap situation and bids from other teams, but all three have earned themselves a big payday.

With both Smith and quarterback Lamar Jackson under big contracts, the Ravens might have trouble re-signing any of those players, with the possible exception of Stone.

Have a question for Mike Preston? Email sports@baltsun.com with “Ravens mailbag” in the subject line and it could be answered in The Baltimore Sun.

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While the search for the gunman continued the day after the senseless slaughter of more than a dozen in Maine, President Biden decreed flags should be flown at half-staff for the next five days in recognition of those lost.

“As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence,” the president has declared flags should be “flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government.”

Biden’s order stands until Oct. 30.

The proclamation came Thursday morning, as the country began another, now all too familiar, collective mourning period after 18 were slaughtered and 13 more injured by an eruption of gunfire, this time in a quiet corner of Maine.

As of this writing the hunt for a lone shooter continues, with agents from the FBI, ATF, TSA assisting the Maine State Police and local law enforcement with the search.

According to the White House, the president spoke with Maine Gov. Janet Mills, U.S. Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins, and U.S. Rep. Jared Golden in the hours after the shooting, offering the federal government’s full support in the investigation.

Gov. Maura Healey said she has also spoken with Mills and local hospitals are assisting victims with medical care.

“Our hospitals are treating patients transferred to Massachusetts. New England is a close-knit community, and we are coming together to support our neighbors during this heartbreaking time,” Healey said.

The governor also ordered flags on state properties lowered “to express our deep sadness and sympathy for the victims, their families, and all those impacted by the mass shooting in Maine.”

Legislative leaders, who are considering changes to Bay State gun laws, reacted with sadness at the violence, but expressed resolve to take steps to prevent a similar incident in Massachusetts.

“On behalf of the MA House, I want to offer my sincerest condolences to everyone in Lewiston, ME who lost loved ones during yesterday’s horrific mass shooting. I know we join folks from across the country in grieving the lives lost to yet another tragic act of gun violence,” House Speaker Ron Mariano offered on Twitter.

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“I am absolutely sickened to know that yet more innocent lives have been lost to gun violence, which has touched too many of us. I’m heartbroken for the victims in Lewiston and their families, friends and loved ones who now know firsthand the raw pain of having their lives devastated by a mass shooting. Today my heart is with each of them, and all our neighbors to the north,” Senate Pres. Karen Spilka said in a statement.

Spilka went on to say that the senate is “firm in our resolve to pass a comprehensive gun safety and violence prevention bill this session.” The House passed such a bill just this month.

The Gun Owners Action League, a Massachusetts-based Second Amendment advocacy group, lamented that the shooting was entirely preventable.

“Since the Newtown massacre in 2012, GOAL has adamantly fought to get our government officials, and the general public, to acknowledge the number one common denominator involved in these tragically preventable events – Severe Mental Health Issues,” the group wrote on their website.

“According to reports, the killer may have been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility and released even after admitting that he wanted to cause serious harm. This automatically made him a prohibited person from possessing a gun. The fact that he was released is simply unconscionable,” they continued.

A 28-year-old real estate agent was arrested and released after entering the California property of presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday morning and then arrested again later that afternoon when he returned, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Jonathan Macht, of Pacific Palisades, was arrested in the 2900 block of Mandeville Canyon Road about 9:30 a.m. on suspicion of trespassing and issued an emergency protective order, according to police. Macht was released and, at around 5:45 p.m. that same day, detained by security outside the same location, according to law enforcement. Police arrested him about 6:10 p.m. for violating the emergency protective order.

Macht did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Kennedy, an independent candidate for president, wrote about the incident on Thursday, arguing that it was further evidence that he needs Secret Service protection for his campaign.

“Yesterday an intruder climbed the fence at my home and was arrested,” Kennedy wrote on X. “After being released from police custody later in the day, he immediately returned to my home and was arrested again.”