Zach Orr Spent the Bye Week Scheming More Pressure
The Ravens’ eight sacks this season are tied for the fewest in the league. The lack of pressure is also partly why Baltimore is tied with the second-fewest takeaways in the NFL.
The loss of outside linebackers Tavius Robinson (broken foot) and Odafe Oweh (trade) doesn’t help in that regard. It presented Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr with a challenge of scheming up more pressure during the bye.
“We spent a lot of time [on that]. That was probably the main focus that we looked at,” Orr said.
“I think the coaches – all of the coaches – have done a great job, including [Head] Coach [John] Harbaugh and our defensive coaches, of coming up with a pressure plan and a blitz plan, and I’m excited about it. I can’t talk too much about it right now, but I think it’s going to be good for us.”
It’s not just dialing up creative blitzes on third down.
“The problem is, we haven’t created enough negative plays, especially on first and second down, to get into third-and-long situations,” Orr said. “So, we looked at that hard and have a plan to try to create more negatives, and we look forward to doing that.”
Orr has learned from some of the best coaches in this regard. Mike Macdonald, who is now the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, was a maestro at getting free runners at the quarterback, and the two still stay in touch. Macdonald actually called Orr on Friday while the Ravens were on their bye.
“That’s my guy. We’re friends,” Orr said. “Our relationship goes further than football, and I’m happy and proud to say that. We definitely catch up with each other, talk a little bit of ball, but mainly about family. We definitely talk. We have a great relationship, and that’s my guy right there.”