Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr has taken heat for the unit's sub-standard play through nine weeks. Veteran corner Marlon Humphrey defended the DC on Monday, saying that the issues reside with the players.
"For me as a player knowing what's going on, I hate seeing coaches get under scrutiny when it's the players' fault," Humphrey said, via the team's official website. "If I felt that this ain't being coached this way right, this ain't being this, this ain't being this, it's a little different. But it really sucks when the product we're putting out there isn't what we're being coached, isn't what we're practicing, and that's kind of what hurts me.
"Some of the plays I've given up, is that the coach's fault, or did we practice it this week, and then I got in the game, and I didn't play it exactly how it was supposed to be, and it results in a big play? That is the NFL … but I hate that just because, when it's your fault sometimes, while somebody's getting scrutinized, that's never a good thing."
Baltimore held Denver to 10 points in Sunday's win, but the Broncos still moved the ball, generating 319 yards and 20 first downs. The Ravens holding Sean Payton's crew to 1-of-4 in the red zone kept the score a blowout.
Baltimore ranks last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (280.9), 23rd in points (24.3), and 26th in EPA per dropback allowed (0.08).
The Ravens brought back Dean Pees as a senior advisor last month. Humphrey believes the former defensive coordinator's return already helped bolster the defense after a rough first month.
"I think Pees coming in has been a really good help for us," Humphrey said. "I think the knowledge he has there, and then being that Zach was already communicating with him throughout the season, it's been really good. … I've really felt like over the past week or so, he's really kind of started to help out a little bit more."
The defense's struggles likely won't cost Baltimore a spot in the postseason, but they'll need it to step up in January if they want to play for a Lombardi Trophy.
Baltimore's defense will get a chance at redemption on Thursday. In the Week 5 win over Cincinnati, the Ravens gave up 38 points in the shootout. They'll need to do a better job against Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, et al. in prime time.
"Yes, we felt like we should have lost," Humphrey said of the previous meeting. "I think that's what we kind of talked about today. We won the game, but we did not play well, especially the secondary alone. Like I said, there were a lot of contested catches, but [we allowed] big plays -- too many big plays -- so we're hoping to try to limit the passing attack and get going."
Tuesday's trade deadline will determine whether the Ravens bring in any reinforcements to the defense or ride the rest of the season with the crew they currently have under Orr.
