Baltimore Ravens forward Zach Orr is confident about switching defensive roles

In football, shadowing typically refers to the defense having its top cornerback follow the opposing offense’s best wide receiver. Some teams regularly have their cornerbacks as shadow receivers, while others, like the Baltimore Ravens, forego practice almost entirely.

During Zach Orr’s first season as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, he didn’t actually send any of his corners to follow opposing receivers. This has caused some issues, particularly with Brandon Stephens having issues with coverage, but at this point it seems like Orr is committed to this approach.

On Wednesday, the young coordinator explained his philosophy when it comes to shadowing, or more specifically, his lack of it.

“I think there are times when you can travel with a man, you can meet a man, but (there’s) an average of – what – 60-year-olds, and there’s a lot that goes into that,” Orr told reporters. “Everyone has to learn safety, nickel (and) corner in all the different coverages (and) all the different controls, so there’s a lot more to it. But there’s definitely a time when you can definitely travel and place a guy on a particular guy and help the guys out.

“But as I said, we have confidence in our boys. We feel like we have enough in our repertoire in critical situations to take guys away and make sure they don’t do it. “I’m not ruining the game.”

On Saturday, Orr could have the perfect opportunity to put his philosophy to the test. The Ravens host the arch-rival Pittsburgh Steelers and may face top wide receiver George Pickens, who has 850 receiving yards this season while the next closest wideout, Calvin Austin III, has just 452. Assuming Pickens plays, having missed the last two with a hamstring injury and not having practiced this week, it might make sense to have Marlon Humphrey or even Nate Wiggins accompany him.

However, given Orr’s commitment to his philosophy, it’s plausible that the Ravens – for better or worse – are taking the same approach as they have for most of the season.

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