ExtremeRavens Posted October 10 Posted October 10 Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said Thursday that he isn’t worried about job security, even as criticism seems to grow exponentially by the week. “Yes, I’m able to block that out,” he said. “I’m just focused on this Sunday.” For one, midseason coordinator changes are rare. For another, coach John Harbaugh said after an embarrassing 44-10 loss to the Houston Texans last week that parting ways with the 33-year-old second-year coordinator is not “the answer,” among other votes of confidence he has cast over the past month. Orr’s defense has also been besieged by injuries — five starters were missing last week, forcing him to play a pair of undrafted rookies among other first-year players. He now has reinforcements after Baltimore signed polarizing but talented safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the practice squad Tuesday and then added veteran safety Alohi Gilman a few hours later as part of a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers involving underperforming outside linebacker Odafe Oweh. The hope is that their additions could solve several problems for a defense that has the potential to be the worst in NFL history, with the Ravens on pace to surrender 602 points this season. One of the biggest concerns entering the season was who would be the team’s third safety after Ar’Darius Washington suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in May. The additions bring experience, at least some familiarity and could provide more flexibility, including most notably allowing safety and “unicorn” defender Kyle Hamilton to be moved around and deployed closer to the line of scrimmage, a role that he was most impactful in during 2023 when he was selected as an All-Pro. “We obviously know ‘K-Ham’ can play all across the secondary, and he’s very effective everywhere else, not just in the back end, but up close to the line of scrimmage,” Orr said. “So, the better players that you’re able to put back there in the back end definitely frees him up. I’m excited to see if the guys can get caught up to speed by Sunday and see what we can do.” Sunday’s opponent — the Los Angeles Rams — should offer a stern test. Through five games, quarterback Matthew Stafford has completed 66.7% of his passes for 1,503 yards and 11 touchdowns with just two interceptions for a passer rating of 107.3. Star wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams have accounted for a combined 74 of those completions, 945 yards and five scores, while dynamic back Kyren Williams has added 368 rushing yards and one touchdown to go with 21 catches for 118 yards and three scores. While it still remains to be seen how soon Gardner-Johnson will play for Baltimore — he would need to be elevated from the practice squad and the Ravens’ two elevations are likely to be No. 3 quarterback Tyler Huntley to back up Cooper Rush with Lamar Jackson still sidelined along with a defensive lineman for what is also a depleted unit — Gilman is expected to be on the field immediately alongside rookie first-round pick Malaki Starks as well as Hamilton. It should help, too, that Gilman has experience, both with Baltimore’s scheme and playing alongside Hamilton. Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander hugs safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson during practice. Both are new additions to the secondary who have yet to prove themselves in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Gilman, 28, was a key member of the Chargers’ top-tanked defense last season. Los Angeles’ defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter, also succeeded former Ravens’ defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald in the same role at Michigan when Macdonald was in Ann Arbor and runs a similar scheme to what Orr inherited when Macdonald left to become the Seattle Seahawks’ coach in 2024. Gilman was also a senior and team captain at Notre Dame during Hamilton’s freshman season with the Irish. “When Coach Minter and Coach [Jim] Harbaugh came to the Chargers, there was a lot of Ravens film that we watched,” Gilman, who also played at Navy before transferring to Notre Dame, said. “[We were] trying to learn a little bit about the techniques, schemes, personnel and whatnot. So, a lot of carryover, a lot of crossover. Obviously, every coordinator has their own philosophies, techniques or small things that they like to add their wrinkles to.” During his five seasons with Los Angeles, Gilman appeared in 73 games (39 starts) and had 252 tackles, five interceptions and 21 pass breakups. Gardner-Johnson, meanwhile, brings even more experience. A 2019 fourth-round draft pick by the Saints, he spent his first three seasons in New Orleans before being traded to Philadelphia. In 2022, his six interceptions tied for the most in the league as he helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl. After a year with the Detroit Lions in 2023, he returned to the Eagles in 2024, again tallied six interceptions and was a key contributor in their championship run that ended with a 40-22 victory over the Kanas City Chiefs. From 2021 to 2024, he had 16 total interceptions. “He brings it,” Harbaugh said of Gardner-Johnson. “He’s a ‘bring it’ attitude guy. He’s a physical player, a lot of juice and a lot of energy. [He’s] a veteran guy who knows how to play the game. “I think our team is better because of that.” The 27-year-old also has a lot of baggage. After the Eagles’ Super Bowl win, he posted an Instagram story directed at Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his relationship with Taylor Swift. There was also reportedly locker room friction with his former team, the Texans, who released him after just three games this season. On Thursday when asked by The Baltimore Sun why he signed with the Ravens, he said they were his “only option.” Now the only question is whether Gilman and Gardner-Johnson will help turn things around for a struggling defense. The belief internally, of course, is that they can and that the defense is close. “I think guys are in the right position, now it’s just time for us to go make our plays, like pull the trigger” Orr said. “Just being where I’m supposed to be at, it’s not good enough. Take chances.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
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