Baltimore Ravens Star Takes Blame for Defensive Struggles

The Baltimore Ravens’ offense has been nearly unstoppable this season, but their struggles on the other side of the ball have been just as remarkable, if not more so.

What was arguably the best defense in football last season has seen a major decline this season. Through Week 9, the Ravens rank dead last in passing defense (280.9 yards allowed per game), 21st in total defense (356.5 yards allowed per game) and 23rd in scoring defense (24.3 points allowed per game ).

With most of the staff remaining the same, many have directed their criticism at first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr, who took over for Mike Macdonald after the latter became head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Not surprisingly, many of Orr’s players have come to his defense, with star cornerback Marlon Humphrey the latest to do so.

“For me as a player, knowing what’s going on, I hate to see coaches being investigated when it’s the players’ fault.” Humphrey said Monday. “If I felt like there was, ‘This (is) not being coached this way right. This (isn’t) being this, (or) this is not being this,’ that’s a little different, but it’s really a shame when the product we put out isn’t what we’re coached (and) isn’t what we practice, that’s kind of what hurts me.

“Some of the plays I’ve given up are the coaches’ fault or we’ve been practicing it this week and then I came into the game and I didn’t play it exactly the way I should have and it resulted in a big play .I hate how coaches get… I hate how it goes, but it’s the person over (see) it gets some of it, but that’s kind of what it is just because sometimes is your fault why someone is being investigated is never a good thing.”

Orr, one of the youngest coordinators in the league at 32, has certainly had his ups and downs in his first year on the show. He obviously can’t go out there and make plays himself, but there are things he can improve on in terms of schemes and discipline.

To help Orr out, the Ravens brought back longtime defensive coordinator Dean Pees as an adviser earlier this season. Humphrey, who had Pees as his defensive coordinator in his rookie season, likes what the veteran coach has brought to the table.

“(Pees) just brought an extra set of eyes, an extra set of ears,” Humphrey said. “He’s pulled guys to the side. It’s a real, surreal moment for me. I remember when I was a rookie, Pees pulled me up in the front office. He said, ‘Look at everybody else on the defense, and then look at you .’ It wasn’t too good, so it’s been a surreal moment for me, just (seeing) how far I’ve come (and) how I’ve been doing this job for a long time, but I think Pees will come in has been a really good help for us.

“The knowledge he has there, and with Zach (Orr) already communicating with him throughout the season, it’s been really good (to) just give it a fresh set of eyes on some of the things he’s said.”

Ultimately, both coaches and players bear some blame, and it is up to both to right the ship.

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