Tag: Zach Orr

Ravens announce the hiring of Tyler Santucci to position of linebackers coach

Baltimore Ravens hire Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci as new linebackers coach

After parting ways with Mark DeLeone, the Baltimore Ravens have officially hired Tyler Santucci as linebacker coach.

Santucci will join the Ravens after spending 2024 as the Georgia Tech defensive coordinator.

“We are excited about the addition of Tyler, who has excelled as a collegiate coach and is fully prepared to make the jump to this level,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “Tyler’s knowledge, passion and collaborative qualities fit seamlessly within the culture of our coaching staff, and we’re excited for him to lead our linebackers group.”

Santucci arrived at Georgia Tech after one season as defensive coordinator at Duke and three seasons at Texas A&M, first as linebackers coach and then as co-defensive coordinator. Under Santucci, Tech’s defense made significant strides, going from 131st nationally in rush defense in 2023 to 30th in 2024, from 123rd in total defense to 42nd, and from 108th on third-down defense to 22nd.

“Tyler Santucci has a strong track record of being a great person, teacher and football coach,” Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr said. “He has had tremendous success both as a linebackers coach and as a defensive coordinator. We are excited to welcome his passion and football knowledge to the Baltimore Ravens and to continue to raise the standard of our inside linebacker corps.”

The Jackets also only allowed 30 points in a game five times during the regular season. Georgia was the only opponent to score more than 40 points on the Georgia Tech defense, and 17 of the 44 points the Bulldogs scored came in overtime.

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Ravens hire Georgia Tech DC Tyler Santucci as new linebackers coach

Baltimore Ravens hire Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci as new linebackers coach

Ian Rapoport reports that after parting ways with Mark DeLeone, the Baltimore Ravens have hired Tyler Santucci as linebacker coach.

Santucci will join the Ravens after spending 2024 as the Georgia Tech defensive coordinator.

Santucci arrived at Georgia Tech after one season as defensive coordinator at Duke and three seasons at Texas A&M, first as linebackers coach and then as co-defensive coordinator. Under Santucci, Tech’s defense made significant strides, going from 131st nationally in rush defense in 2023 to 30th in 2024, from 123rd in total defense to 42nd, and from 108th on third-down defense to 22nd.

The Jackets also only allowed 30 points in a game five times during the regular season. Georgia was the only opponent to score more than 40 points on the Georgia Tech defense, and 17 of the 44 points the Bulldogs scored came in overtime.

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Colts hire former Ravens assistant Chris Hewitt as secondary coach

Baltimore Ravens part ways with assistant head coach/pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt

The Ravens have made sweeping changes to their coaching staff. Hours after hiring Chuck Pagano as the Senior Secondary coach, the team parted ways with longtime assistant coach Chris Hewitt.

Hewitt had been on staff since 2012 and interviewed for the defensive coordinator position that went to Zach Orr last off-season.  Hewitt wasn’t unemployed long and landed with the Indianapolis Colts in a similar role.

Tom Pelissero reports that the Colts hired Hewitt as their passing game coordinator and secondary coach.

The Colts hired Lou Anarumo as their defensive coordinator after he was fired by the Bengals. They have also agreed to hire linebackers coach James Bettcher.

Hewitt just completed his 10th season leading Baltimore’s secondary, adding the assistant head coach title in 2024. He joined the Ravens as an assistant special teams coach in 2012, a post he held for two years before earning a promotion to assistant secondary coach in 2014. Hewitt has led Baltimore’s secondary since the 2015 campaign, helping the team consistently earn standout defensive rankings before this year.

The Ravens allowed 4,150 yards passing in 2024, the second time in their history that they had allowed more than 4,000 yards passing in a single season.

The Ravens’ secondary allowed 58 completions of 20 yards or more, the third-most in the NFL and the second-most by the Ravens since 2000.

Pagano will oversee a talented Ravens secondary that includes two Pro Bowl players, safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, and Nate Wiggins, a 2024 first-round pick. The only starter who is an unrestricted free agent is cornerback Brandon Stephens.

Ravens part ways with assistant head coach/pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt

Baltimore Ravens part ways with assistant head coach/pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt

The Ravens are making sweeping changes to their coaching staff. Hours after hiring Chuck Pagano as the Senior Secondary coach, the team is parting ways with longtime assistant coach Chris Hewitt.

Hewitt had been on staff since 2012 and interviewed for the defensive coordinator position that went to Zach Orr last off-season.

Hewitt just completed his 10th season leading Baltimore’s secondary, adding the assistant head coach title in 2024. He joined the Ravens as an assistant special teams coach in 2012, a post he held for two years before earning a promotion to assistant secondary coach in 2014. Hewitt has led Baltimore’s secondary since the 2015 campaign, helping the team consistently earn standout defensive rankings before this year.

The Ravens allowed 4,150 yards passing in 2024, the second time in their history that they had allowed more than 4,000 yards passing in a single season.

The Ravens’ secondary allowed 58 completions of 20 yards or more, the third-most in the NFL and the second-most by the Ravens since 2000.

Pagano will oversee a talented Ravens secondary that includes two Pro Bowl players, safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, and Nate Wiggins, a 2024 first-round pick. The only starter who is an unrestricted free agent is cornerback Brandon Stephens.

One year later, Ravens have adjusted to Mike Macdonald’s exit to Seattle just fine

The Ravens defense adjusted to life after Mike MacDonald, and Patrick Queen for that matter, just fine.

Almost exactly one year ago, Mike MacDonald left his position as Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator to become the Seattle Seahawks head coach. At the time, reports circulated that MacDonald wanted to hire Zach Orr, then the Ravens’ inside linebackers coach, as his defensive coordinator.

Orr stayed put and instead became MacDonald’s replacement at DC. It seems to have worked out okay for everyone involved, but especially so for Orr. The Ravens head into this weekend preparing for an AFC Divisional Playoff game that is as hyped up (and deservedly so) as any in recent memory.

The Seahawks didn’t qualify for the postseason. And while Baltimore is obviously in a better place right now than Seattle, MacDonald did slightly improve the team from where they were in the 14th and final year of the Pete Carroll era.

The ’24 Seahawks finished one game better (10-7 instead of 9-8) and one place higher in the NFC West (2nd instead of 3rd) than they did in 2023. During his first season in charge, his defense improved from midseason onward, a story familiar to Ravens fans.

The same thing happened during this season under Orr and in 2022, MacDonald’s first year as Ravens DC. The Ravens’ defense received much criticism early on, when the team started 0-2, but they topped the NFL in rushing defense.

The Ravens only allowed 1,361 yards rushing on the season, with Minnesota a very distant second, as they allowed 1,588. It’s the proverbial “number one with a bullet.”

The Ravens’ defense adjusted to life after Mike MacDonald and Patrick Queen just fine. But MacDonald is on to something in the Pacific Northwest.

He’s helping develop an emerging star that will rival Ravens strong safety Kyle Hamilton as the best young defensive back in football.

Cornerback Devon Witherspoon was Seattle’s only Pro Bowl selection this season, and the Illinois grad has earned this distinction both years that he’s been in the league.

“He plays with his hair on fire,” Macdonald said in a statement provided to RG. “You talk about shocking effort, and if you want to shock people, watch 21 play. We talk about ball finding energy, and it kind of all comes together with Spoon.

“People want production and they want to be certain type of players, but if you don’t do it every day, I don’t see how you could have a reasonable expectation to be a great player.

“This guy brings it every single day, and does it every rep, and that’s why he’s a great player.”

It’s worth noting that their lone Pro Bowler is on the defensive side of the ball, and of the five Pro Bowl alternates, three are defenders: Leonard Williams, safety Julian Love, and outside linebacker Boye Mafe.

It’s understandable why so many Ravens fans were upset by MacDonald’s departure at the time. Some believed he would be and/or deserved to be the next head coach.

There were also legitimate doubts about Orr, a year ago at this time, given his relative inexperience. But the Ravens D really brought it during the back half of the season, and they have another AFC North division title, and Wild Card Round win to show for it.

Ravens rookie CB Nate Wiggins must excel in man coverage vs. Bills

Baltimore Ravens rookie Nate Wiggins was drafted No. 30 overall for moments just like this. Wiggins must play big versus the Buffalo Bills.

Baltimore Ravens rookie defensive back Nate Wiggins must hold his own versus the shifty Buffalo Bills wide receivers in the AFC Divisional Round. Bills wide receivers Amari Cooper, Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakur, and Mack Hollins pose serious threats in the opponent’s pass attack.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen has enough intelligence and throwing accuracy to thread the needle, so Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr will not be able to sit in soft zone coverage. Instead, Orr may ask Wiggins, teammate defensive back Marlon Humphrey, and Brandon Stephens to buckle up and play man coverage while he schemes up advantages in the pass rush.

Wiggins tallied 13 pass deflections during the season, ranking No. 13 in the NFL. Avoiding penalties will be very important, but Wiggins will need to be physical and handsy with the Bills bunch if the Ravens are going to stop the Bills passing attack.

Wiggins was selected No. 30 overall in the 2024 NFL draft to be effective for the pass defense. Humphrey needed a journeyman to help him and safety Kyle Hamilton sow up the problems on the back end. It’s time for Wiggins to make it happen when it matters most.

Will Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton play QB spy vs. Bills’ Josh Allen?

Baltimore Ravens S Kyle Hamilton is fast, physical, and tough just like Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen. Will DC Zach Orr use him as a QB spy?

Perhaps Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton could be used to neutralize the mobility threat of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in the AFC Divisional Round this upcoming weekend.

Allen rushed for 46 yards in the 31-7 AFC Wild Card matchup against the Denver Broncos, yardage the Ravens defense cannot allow if they want to escape Highmark Stadium this Sunday night.

Remember, Hamilton was used more frequently as an underneath defender when the Ravens matched up with the Bills earlier this season. Will defensive coordinator Zach Orr consider this this upcoming weekend?

Hamilton possesses uncanny intangibles: intuitiveness, hindsight, and elite discipline. At six-foot-four-inches and 224 pounds, Hamilton has the size needed to tackle Allen single-handedly in the open field. Hamilton tallied 77 solo tackles this season, ranking No. 19 in the NFL category.

Linebacker Malik Harrison is not agile enough to deal with Allen or Bills running backs James Cook and Tyus Johnson out of the backfield. If linebacker Roquan Smith is busy watching for leak-out underneath options, no one will be readily available to stop Allen if Hamilton isn’t deployed.

Linebacker Chris Board has played well late in the season but may have his hands full covering tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid. Nevertheless, Hamilton may need to be used as a disruptive robber or quarterback spy to help minimize Allen’s playmaking abilities.

Roquan Smith & Ravens’ Zach Orr can build off the defensive encore

Baltimore Ravens DC Zach Orr continues to thrive with LB Roquan Smith orchestrating plays that has the team defense fully optimized.

Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr and linebacker Roquan Smith have fully amalgamated after 18 weeks of NFL football. The Ravens led the entire NFL in opponent rush yards allowed per game this season, and their dominance over the Pittsburgh Steelers offense in the AFC Wild Card round was yet another indication of performance.

Orr and Smith just aren’t allowing anybody to pummel the Ravens up front when it comes to defending the run. Orr likes to stuff opponents on first and second downs, force them into passing situations, and then unleash his pass rush that has rendered 54 sacks this season. The 54 sacks helped the team rank No. 2 in the NFL in sacks this season.

Last night, the Steelers had 29 rushing yards through 11 carries. With the Ravens’ offense firing on all cylinders, Orr can continue the onslaught, forcing opponents into one-dimensional play-calling and frustration.

In hindsight, Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson did finish the game, having completed 20 of his 29 pass attempts, including two impressive touchdown passes. However, Orr is doing his best to accommodate the flaws in the defense’s back end by ensuring he coaches his team to give up minimal yards and points.

Ravens DC says Baltimore is preparing for Justin Fields

The Ravens must account for the possibility that Justin Fields plays on Saturday.

When Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin benched quarterback Justin Fields in favor of a healthy Russell Wilson, there was a promise that Fields would be in the mix in special sets. They would utilize his athleticism and running ability and add a dimension to the offense.

However, since Wilson took over, we’ve seen very little of Fields on offense. Nevertheless, just his presence forces opposing defensive coordinators to account for him every week. This sentiment was echoed by Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr this week when previewing this Saturday’s matchup between the Steelers and Ravens.

Orr said the Ravens have to prepare for Fields to be on the field for some plays and this in itself is a benefit to the Steelers, even if Fields doesn’t play. It forces Orr and the Ravens to take time during to the week preparing for the possibility even if it never happens.

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Ravens LB Roquan Smith made NFL History by reaching 1,000 career tackles

At age 27, Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith has entered his prime of and wants to end the season with the glory of winning Super Bowl LIX.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith recently became the youngest player in NFL History to reach 1,000 tackles. In 2024, 81 times opponents were clobbered by Smith on the gridiron, and he finished the regular season ranked No. 11 in solo tackles.

At age 27, Smith has entered the prime of his NFL career and wants just as severely as his teammates to make a run for Super Bowl LIX. Smith totaled 12.5 stuffs this season and will be looking to stuff Pittsburgh Steelers running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren in the AFC Wild Card.

There’s a reason the Ravens rank No. 1 in opponent rush yards per game, and it’s heavily because Smith can diagnose runs before they even get to the line of scrimmage. Insightfulness, tenacity, and determination led Smith to perform at extremely high levels. His impact on the defensive side of the ball continues to excite defensive coordinator Zach Orr whenever he’s on the field.