The Baltimore Ravens always seem to have a dominant defense. Ever since the legendary 2000 Ravens defense, Baltimore feels like they regularly exceed the sum of their parts. The Ravens will need their defense to play at an elite level in 2024 if they want to make another push for the Super Bowl. Ravens safety Marcus Williams believes he has the answer.
Williams appeared on NFL+'s The Insiders on Thursday. He spoke on a variety of topics, including the transition from Mike Macdonald to first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr. Williams also shared his thoughts on what makes will make Baltimore's defense maintain its success into next year.
“A lot of people think they got it figured out and then you change something,” Williams said on the defense's flexibility, per NFL.com's Michael Baca. “You got to be chameleons when you're in this league because people, you know, they adapt, and they see you on film, they can see how you stand, how you align, and each and every week you got to be able to change a little here, a little there. We have a good thing going in our group and we're able to see what the offense is doing to try and attack those defense and those coverages. That defense is really good for us — depending on which one you're talking about.”
Williams also heaped some praise on his new defensive coordinator.
“[Orr] definitely has the respect of the room,” Williams said. “He comes in every day and puts in that time and that work — age is just a number — you put in that time and that effort to come out and be the best at your role as he did as a player, he's gonna do as a coach. I have the utmost respect for him.”
Getting to know Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr
Zach Orr certainly has some big shoes to fill.
Mike Macdonald was an incredible defensive coordinator in Baltimore, so much so that he earned a head coaching job in Seattle.
But who is Zach Orr? What qualifications does he bring to the table?
It's easy to forget that Orr was once an awesome linebacker for the Ravens. Baltimore drafted him in the 2014 NFL Draft and he played for the Ravens for three seasons. His most well-known season was 2016, where he logged 133 total tackles and earned AP second-team All-Pro honors.
Unfortunately, a spinal condition forced him into an early retirement. He then turned his focus towards coaching.
Orr has been a member of Baltimore's staff ever since. He started as a defensive analyst in 2017 and rose through the ranks. Orr had his first coaching role in 2021 when he became the team's outside linebackers coach. He then spent two years as the inside linebackers coach before his recent promotion to defensive coordinator.
Zach Orr has all the makings of a great player coach. Based on Williams' comments above, Orr has already earned major respect among the defensive players. That can go a long way towards getting 100% effort out of the defense.
Orr is also the right man for the job because linebackers are hugely important to Baltimore's defensive success. Trenton Simpson will step in to start next to Roquan Smith, replacing Patrick Queen. Simpson will benefit from Orr's guidance throughout the season.
We can't wait to watch the Ravens later this fall.
Follow Us
Subscribe
