As head coach John Harbaugh frequently says, Orr, 31, has spent the most of his NFL career in the Ravens organization, first as a player and then as a coach. As such, he has a solid understanding of what it takes to “play like a Raven.” However, it’s interesting to note that Orr revealed this week that during his brief experience with the Jaguars, during his one season outside the organization on Urban Meyer’s staff, he received some invaluable career advise from another assistant.
“About three years ago people were telling me if you have aspirations of being a coordinator, when you’re watching the film on your own you need to start seeing how you would call the game, who you would stop certain game plans and schemes, and how you attack certain schemes,” Orr said on the team’s official website. “I always did that.”
Orr is taking over for the wildly successful Mike Macdonald, who managed the defense for the Ravens to such an extent that he was given the chance to become head coach of the Seahawks. The only NFL coordinator younger than Orr will be Nick Rallis of the Arizona Cardinals, 30, in the upcoming season.
On the one hand, Orr should be in good shape because he has a seasoned staff at his disposal and is leading a team that made NFL history by being first in the league in terms of sacks, takeaways, and points per game allowed.
On the other hand, Orr has high hopes because this is his first time in the captain’s chair. He declared he wouldn’t allow his youth, inexperience, or the success of his predecessor to determine how well he calls plays. And hard work is the first step in that.
“I’ve seen it done, I’ve been a part of it, and what makes me confident is my preparation I’m going to put in,” Orr stated. “I’m about to get my asshole ready. This is when self-assurance is useful.
“Whatever you do, it indicates a lack of preparation if you’re not convinced you can do the task. You’ll be confident if you prepare properly and according to the guidelines. I intend to properly prepare.”
Harbaugh says the rest of the staff will provide Orr, who has been the inside linebacker coach for the Ravens for the last two seasons, with the necessary assistance.
“I think he’s been studying that and how to do that all the way through,” Harbaugh stated. “After speaking with him, I’m confident that he’ll do well, but he needs to take action. It is beyond a doubt.
“Again, he’s going to get support not just from the veteran coaches but also the young coaches that are going to help set up those game plans and make sure that all the bases are covered that way.”
Orr stated that he intends to maintain the Ravens’ plan in its current form, adding his own unique flair while still honoring the foundation Macdonald helped create.
“We definitely want to build on that,” Orr stated. “We spent years helping to build that scheme here. We’re constantly trying to improve. It’s probably the reason you’ve seen such excellent defenses here in the past. That is what we must keep doing.”
He has already figured out one aspect of his role-playing strategy. Orr stated he intends to make play calls on the field rather than from the press box. As a former player, he just fits in being near the action.
Orr declared, “I have to be on the field.” “I need to look the players in the eyes, observe their situation, and gauge their emotional state. Individuals differ in their methods. I must be out on the field.”
The Ravens will go to whatever lengths to assist Orr in his new position if it means maintaining the momentum they have had for more than 20 years since Harbaugh took over.
