Tag: Zach Orr

Can Roquan Smith show Steelers’ Russell Wilson who’s truly dangerous in NFL Week 11?

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson goes by @dangerusswilson online but Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith may have a rebuttal in week 11.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson goes by the tag @dangerusswilson on social media. Perhaps Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith will be looking to challenge that alias today.

Smith will be responsible for watching Wilson’s pre-snap reads and maneuvers in week 11. The Ravens’ defense must keep Wilson contained inside the pocket, which may allow the Ravens to tally up some sacks this afternoon.

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Smith is his team’s leading tackler, playing middle linebacker exceptionally well. Not only will Smith need to hawk Wilson Sunday afternoon, but he will also need to account for the Steelers’ play-action scheme with running back Najee Harris.

Quite frankly, in the upcoming war this afternoon, the question for the Ravens’ defense will be whether or not they can get off the field, especially on third downs. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will want to keep the ball away from the Ravens’ offense as much as possible, so the Ravens’ defense needs to step up and stall drives.

Smith plays with tenacious intensity, and if he gets the chance to prove just how dangerous he can be this afternoon,  Game time is 1:00 p.m. ET.

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Marlon Humphrey voices frustration with Ravens’ pass defense after win over Bengals

Marlon Humphrey voices frustration with Ravens’ pass defense after win over Bengals

The Baltimore Ravens entered Week 10, allowing the most passing yards in the league, and things only got worse against the Cincinnati Bengals. Quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 428 yards and four touchdowns, with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase catching 11 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns against the Ravens’ secondary.

Luckily for Baltimore, the offense led by MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson has been good enough to overcome the poor play of the defense in most games this season, but that does not mean that these issues are not a threat to keep the team from reaching their ultimate goal of a Super Bowl.

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey did not mince words about the secondary’s performance following the thrilling 35-34 victory over the Bengals.

“These wins are getting harder to enjoy based off of what we’re doing in the pass defense,” Humphrey said. “It’s not cool to win a game, and you look up and a team has 300 passing [yards on you] every week. It’d be different if we didn’t have [any] guys that could play. I haven’t once heard anybody say, ‘We don’t have the guys; we don’t have the players; we don’t have the skill.’ We’re not doing it in practice. It’s clear that it’s something from … When we do that last preparation to the game, what is happening in that span? We’ve got to figure it out. It’s pretty simple.”

It is hard to imagine Baltimore’s defense becoming a top unit this far into the season, but as Humphrey said, they have the players to be a much better unit than they have been over the first 10 weeks. Rookie defensive coordinator Zach Orr has been heavily scrutinized in his first season, taking the reigns from now-Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, who was the mastermind of one of the best defenses in franchise history last season with most of the same players. With several extra days before their next game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Orr and the rest of the coaching staff need to hammer down the basics to hopefully begin turning things around on defense.

Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey defends DC Zach Orr

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey defended defensive coordinator Zach Orr

The Baltimore Ravens hired defensive coordinator Zach Orr following the team’s AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs during last year’s postseason. Orr has had his set of ups and downs this season, as has his unit, which ranks in the bottom of the league in terms of pass defense.

When asked about Orr, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey went to bat for his defensive coordinator. He said that he hates coaches get under scrutiny when it’s the players that are messing up, mentioning that it’s never a good thing and he “hates” how that goes.

“I don’t exactly know what’s going on besides what I get told. My only social media is Instagram Live after victories, so I haven’t seen a lot, but I do know or feel like there’s been some chatter. For me as a player, knowing what’s going on, I hate seeing coaches get under scrutiny when it’s the players’ fault. If I felt that there was, ‘This [isn’t] being coached this way right. This [isn’t] being this, [or] this isn’t being this,’ it’s a little different, but it really sucks when the product we’re putting out there isn’t what we’re being coached [and] isn’t what we’re practicing. That’s kind of what hurts me. Some of the plays I’ve given up, is that the coaches’ fault, or did we practice it this week, and then I got in the game, and I didn’t play it exactly how it was supposed to be, and it resulted in a big play. I hate how coaches get … I hate how that goes, but that is the NFL. The person over [seeing] it kind of gets whatever, but it is kind of what it is. I hate that just because when it’s your fault sometimes [on] why somebody is getting scrutinized. It’s never a good thing.”

Orr is still coming into his own as a play-caller after having no signal-calling experience prior to being promoted to defensive coordinator. There is still plenty of room for Orr to grow, and that’s what Baltimore will be banking on moving forward.

NFL analyst calls the Ravens’ defense ‘predictable’

ESPN NFL analyst calls the Baltimore Ravens’ defense ‘predictable’

By far the biggest surprise of the season for the Baltimore Ravens has been the massive regression from the defense. The Ravens’ defense — filled with most of the same players — has gone from a historic unit in 2023 to one of the league’s worst this season, seemingly unable to stop opposing offenses. While Baltimore lost key contributors such as inside linebacker Patrick Queen, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, and safety Geno Stone, the exodus of coaches appears to have hit the unit the hardest.

32-year-old former Ravens linebacker Zach Orr was promoted from inside linebackers coach to the esteemed role of defensive coordinator for Baltimore after the departure of defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks head coach), defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson (Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator), and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver (Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator). Through the first eight games of the season, Orr has been unable to sustain the success Macdonald had in his two years as defensive coordinator.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky shared his thoughts on Baltimore’s defense following the team’s loss to the Cleveland Browns.

“I think you gotta pin part of that loss late on their defensive coordinator Zach Orr,” Orlovsky said. “I think their defense got predictable … I just think as an offensive perspective, you run an all-out pressure six times in a row, at some point, you become very predictable and I bank on you doing that, and I think that puts your defense at a disadvantage.”

The Ravens’ road to righting the ship defensively starts this week against the Denver Broncos and rookie first-round quarterback Bo Nix.

 

Veteran NFL defensive coordinator returning to Ravens as an advisor to Zach Orr

Zach Orr hired Dean Peas as an advisor for Baltimore Ravens defense

Zach Orr is a first-year defensive coordinator who has seen his secondary get shredded in the first five games.

With Baltimore at 3-2 and operating efficiently on offense, Orr has hired a veteran defensive coordinator and former Ravens assistant coach, Dean Pees, to serve as an advisor, according to Jeff Zrebiec.

Pees was the defensive coordinator in Baltimore from 2012 to 2017, and Orr was a star linebacker during that run.

Pees announced his retirement after the 2018 season. He then spent two seasons under Mike Vrabel with the Titans. In 2021, he unretired again to become the Falcons’ defensive coordinator. He retired again in January 2023.

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Rookie DB Nate Wiggins is exactly what the Ravens needed

Baltimore Ravens DB Nate Wiggins produced a game changing play to help his team outlast the Dallas Cowboys in week 3.

Baltimore Ravens defensive back Nate Wiggins forced a timely fumble on Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the team’s week three win.



Wiggins, who missed week two, can and will help teammate Marlon Humphrey get rest on defensive possessions. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr should be mindful of Humphrey’s attrition and continue to delegate his reps covering the top opposing wide receiver with Wiggins.

The Dallas Cowboys scored 19 fourth-quarter points before running out of time in regulation. Ranking At No. 32 in the NFL in opponent’s passing yards, the Ravens’ secondary still allowed a laughable 379 pass yards in week 3.

Nevertheless, the Ravens will take this three-point victory and strategize on ways to improve the pass defense as the season continues. Lastly, having Wiggins back in the lineup didn’t just help; it rendered the turnover very well, saving the game.

Marlon Humphrey must play well vs. Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb

Baltimore Ravens DB Marlon Humphrey needs to be the answer for Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb in week 3.

Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey needs to be the answer for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in week 3.

With the Ravens’ pass defense struggling, it’s time for Humphrey to have a statement game. Humphrey may get help from rookie Nate Wiggins, who is listed as questionable, but if not, Humphrey will need to step up big.

Fortunately for defensive coordinator Zach Orr, the front seven for the Ravens have been exceptional. With a healthy pass rush, there’s no reason why the Ravens’ secondary can’t elevate themselves and get the job done.

Humphrey did, however, record an interception last week against the Las Vegas Raiders. He was sinking into zone coverage disguisedly when he picked off quarterback Gardner Minshew.

Humphrey is far too talented a player to squander his career while chasing internet fame. Of course, ranking last in opponent pass yards allowed is embarrassing. However, it’s Humphrey’s lack of self-reflection that makes his online podcast feel like a real distraction.

Patrick Queen might get the last laugh after joining the Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers already have a two-game lead in the AFC North over the Baltimore Ravens and LB Patrick Queen has feel ecstatic.

The Pittsburgh Steelers already have a two-game lead in the AFC North over the Baltimore Ravens and linebacker Patrick Queen has to be feeling good.

The Steelers are undefeated in 2024 with a defense ranking No. 2 in the NFL in points allowed per game. Queen might not like Baltimore’s seafood that much, but him, linebacker Roquan Smith, and defensive coordinator Zach Orr had a very close bond before he left.

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Queen was there inside the Ravens’ locker room in 2023 as he watched what seemed to be a perfect season and potential Super Bowl get hindered by the stubbornness of the teams’ offensive coordinator.

Angered and frustrated with a lack of team accountability, Queen joined the Steelers this off-season for an opportunity to play under head coach Mike Tomlin and next to all-pro linebacker T.J Watt.

Queen’s decision to leave was initially questionable, but incentives, including a pay raise and an a opportunity to covertly get revenge by playing against the team that ruined his dreams in 2024, are extremely valid.

The Ravens defense hasn’t been terrible this season, but they do rank last in the NFL in opponent pass yards allowed per game. Queen definitely play as a factor versus those underneath passes as Raven last season, hurrying running backs on flat routes, and disturbing tight-ends inside the hash marks.

Sure, it’s only week three in the NFL, but after a 0-2 Ravens’ start, Queen has to feel good about his decision to leave Baltimore.

Ravens DC on facing Chiefs: ‘Patrick Mahomes is obviously a problem’

#Ravens DC Zach Orr knows that facing #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes will be a massive challenge in Week 1.

The Kansas City Chiefs won their matchup against the Baltimore Ravens earlier this year but will have to contend with a new-look defense led by first-year coordinator Zach Orr on Thursday night.

During a press conference this week, Orr told reporters that he expects Kansas City to be a tough opponent, and made it clear that he respects Patrick Mahomes’ ability to operate in Andy Reid’s offense.

“They can score from any part of the field, because obviously, Andy Reid is a great coach, but Patrick Mahomes is obviously a problem,” Orr explained. “He can beat you with his legs. He can beat you with his arm from every part of the field, and they have great players around him, so that’s what makes them tough to defend.

“You could defend the first play, but then you have to defend the second play and the third play, and that’s where they make a lot of their hay at – when the first play breaks down, he gets to moving around, and guys do a great job of uncovering and finding seams to create explosive plays. We definitely have to limit that.”

Expect Orr to do his best to contain Mahomes on Thursday night when Baltimore gets a chance to avenge their loss to the Chiefs in the playoffs.

Ravens DC Zach Orr discusses how play-calling changes in the regular season

Ravens DC Zach Orr discusses how play-calling changes in the regular season

Thursday night will mark the first time Zach Orr will serve as the Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator in a regular season game.

While preseason games are more of a football-like substance, now the games will actually matter, starting with a trip to the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in the very first game of the entire 2024 NFL regular season.

Now we’ll see if Orr, 32, can pick up where Mike Macdonald left off.

The first challenge will be trying to limit/slow down Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the rest of the Chiefs’ high-octane attack.

While everything in the preseason was pretty smooth, now it’s going to be a lot different,” Orr told the media after practice on Labor Day.

“It’s a lot of different personnel groups. It’s more game-plan-specific.

“In the preseason, we just kind of had our call sheet and we just ran our plays.”

Orr, who served as the Ravens inside linebackers coach last season, is in his third stint with Baltimore. This is his second go-around on John Harbaugh’s coaching staff, and he also played for him from 2014-16.

Orr continued to discuss the differences between being a DC in the preseason versus the postseason.

“You have to be prepared situationally,” he continued, “for what’s happening right now and then what’s going to happen.”

He then provided a specific illustration of these concepts.

“For example, let’s say you’re defending a play around midfield, are they getting into the red zone?

“You have to already be thinking about what that team does in that situation, what your call is going to be, and how your guys are all playing.”

Zach Orr is certainly not being “eased into it.” You can’t ask for a tougher first assignment than what he’s up against in the opener.