OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr is aware of reality.
From the time he arrived in Baltimore as an undrafted rookie linebacker out of North Texas in 2014 to becoming an assistant coach after the discovery of a congenital spine condition forced his early retirement, the 33-year-old has represented the organization with class and dignity. His promotion to replace Mike Macdonald last year was intended to be a mostly seamless transition at defensive coordinator to maintain the proud standard that Orr represented on the field as a former second-team All-Pro selection.
But to say it isn’t working is an understatement with the Ravens off to the worst defensive start in their 30-year history and on pace to give up the most points in a season in NFL history. That comes on the heels of the woeful start defending the pass last season, which prompted lineup changes that did steady the defense down the stretch. Despite Pro Bowl talent and plenty of cap dollars being pumped into that side of the ball, this defense wasn’t performing well even before the injuries began piling up over the last few weeks.
Baltimore has surrendered at least 37 points in four of five games and has already allowed more points than the 2000 Ravens did over an entire 16-game regular season. Three of the four AFC quarterbacks the Ravens have faced have been named the conference’s offensive player of the week.
It’s that bad.
Regardless of the reputation of its high-priced players, this defense has exhibited no redeemable qualities, ranking at or near the bottom in nearly every major statistical category. After much offseason chatter about wanting to force more turnovers, the Ravens have only two with both coming against a 40-year-old quarterback who’s since been benched and traded to another team. Baltimore has just six sacks with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike still tied for the team lead (two) despite a neck injury ending his season in Week 2.
After last Sunday’s embarrassing 44-10 defeat to Houston in which the Ravens forced only one punt for the second straight game, head coach John Harbaugh said he didn’t believe changes to the defensive coaching staff were “the answer” to these woes. However, the bye looms after Sunday’s tilt with the Los Angeles Rams, and that’s a logical time to implement more drastic in-season changes. A 1-5 start and a showing anywhere close to as miserable as these last couple weeks would make it extremely difficult to stand pat, especially considering how rapidly M&T Bank Stadium emptied out after halftime last week.
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During his 18-year tenure, Harbaugh has fired two offensive coordinators — Cam Cameron in December 2012 and Marc Trestman in October 2016 — in the midst of a season, but a defensive coordinator has never been removed during a season.
“I’m able to block that out. I’m honestly not worried about it. I’m just focused on this Sunday,” said Orr about his job security. “If you probably asked me last year, I probably would honestly tell you that it would be something that would bother me or get to me. But I’ve grown closer in faith to God honestly, and I know that he’s in control. Everything that’s going to happen is going to be written — it’s already done. All I have to do is go out there and just continue to work day by day and put my best foot forward.”
Orr is hardy the only individual deserving of blame for this defensive disaster as Harbaugh was once a defensive backs coach in Philadelphia years ago and is ultimately responsible for his staff and what happens on the field. General manager Eric DeCosta didn’t do much to address depth concerns on the defensive line as well as at linebacker and safety after the spring Achilles injury to Ar’Darius Washington. Established veteran players have underperformed with even basic fundamentals such as tackling being poor. And yes, the injuries have been a significant part of the story with multiple Pro Bowl players missing time.
Still, meaningful change from a play-calling standpoint is warranted if there are no signs of meaningful improvement Sunday, especially with two-time Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton and four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey returning to action after sitting out last week’s loss. If the Ravens don’t want to embarrass Orr by firing him, there’s also the softer approach of reassigning responsibilities and entrusting someone else to call the defense. Secondary coach Chuck Pagano would be the logical candidate after years of experience working as a defensive coordinator and NFL head coach.
What does Orr need to see Sunday against a prolific Rams offense to suggest this defense is getting back on track after so many questioned the group’s effort and fight against Houston?
“I’m looking for us to play with that passion. We talked about playing hard here in Baltimore. That’s just the standard,” Orr said. “Guys are playing hard, but we need to come out with our own energy and feed off of that. And we need to start fast. Let’s get them off the field early, and let’s not let them go down and drive the ball and get seven points or get a field goal.
“We need to start fast, bring the energy, and get our swag back. That’s what I’m looking for. And no matter what the situation is when we take the field, our mindset is, ‘We’re going to stop them.’”
8What do the Ravens need to see to maintain the confidence to move forward with Orr leading the defense?
Perhaps this week’s trade for safety Alohi Gilman and the flexibility it provides to get back to moving Hamilton around the defensive alignment can provide a much-needed spark, but that doesn’t figure to cure the many problems plaguing this group. The same could be said if the Ravens indeed move on from Orr in the coming days.
But it’s feeling more and more like they’re reaching the point of no return — even if Harbaugh said such changes are not the answer for this Ravens defense.
