Tag: Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr

Marlon Humphrey is Mega Man, Ravens overcome Bengals 35-34

Baltimore Ravens DB Marlon Humphrey deserves credit for the forced fumble that ignited a team comeback on Thursday Night Football.

Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey deserves credit for forcing the third-quarter fumble that ignited the 35-34 comeback win versus the Cincinnati Bengals last night.

The boo birds were flocking at M&T Bank Stadium, and the Ravens trailed 21-7 with 7:00 minutes to go in the third quarter. With things seeming bleak, Humphrey had to rely on charisma and awareness, intangible assets that motivated him to try for the strip on running back Chase Brown.

Linebacker Roquan Smith pounced on the fumble, allowing the Ravens to take over in plus territory and begin their climb back into the game.

Humphrey’s energetic play makes me wonder: What was Smith relaying to the team inside the defensive huddle, considering the deficit? Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was operating exceptionally, yet Humphrey’s focus during the second half never wavered, even with all-pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase putting up numbers.

Remember, Humphrey also recorded a key interception versus the Bengals in week five, and though Chase scorched him in both games, he continues to make critical plays. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr will eventually sow up the breaches in the secondary, but he’ll rely on Humphrey to lead the pack as the season progresses. 

Kyle Hamilton leads the Ravens in solo tackles in DC Zach Orr’s dynamic scheme

Thanks to the genius of DC Zach Orr, Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton leads his team in solo tackles through NFL week four.

Thanks to the genius of defensive coordinator Zach Orr, Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton leads his team in solo tackles through NFL week four.

Hamilton and linebacker Roquan Smith have expectedly been the leaders on defense, using physicality and speed to hinder opposing skills players in Orr’s scheme.


What’s been so dynamic about Hamilton this season is his frequent deployment near to the line of scrimmage. Orr (according to film) is using the big nickel formation, installing safeties Eddie Jackson, Marcus Williams, and Hamilton on the field at the same time. This has led to Hamilton often  operating as a coverage/run stopping linebacker to assist Smith in the box.

The Ravens defense only spent 28 minutes on the field in Sunday’s victory, a recipe for success to account for a previously struggling secondary. As long as the Ravens’ offense can sustain offensive drives, Hamilton and company will avoid attrition and maximize effectiveness in Orr’s blitz scheme. 

Ravens DC Zach Orr deserves credit for the success of LB Kyle Van Noy

Baltimore Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy has become a prolific pass rusher and current team DC Zach Orr deserves credit.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy has become a prolific pass rusher, and current team defensive coordinator Zach Orr deserves credit.

With the loss of former defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald and a plethora of talent up front, Orr has had a huge act to follow after a historic 60-sack season in 2023. Well, the retention of Van Noy has been vital in 2024.

Van Noy is a linebacker by definition, meaning he’s spent countless hours studying film and taking directives under Orr, who worked as the linebacker coach before being promoted. Van Noy’s upper body strength and speed create trouble for slow-footed offensive tackles, and within Orr’s blitz scheme, Van Noy’s downhill power is nearly implacable.

Over three weeks, Van Noy has already yielded four of the Ravens’ total nine sacks and will continue to be effective as his team seeks to regain ground in the AFC North.