OTL: Return of the Blitz to Baltimore?

How DC Zach Orr’s defense is looking pic.twitter.com/atzOuHtAKS

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 13, 2024

The word out of mandatory mini-camp is aggressive. Garrett Downing shared his thoughts on the Ravens’ new defensive coordinator, Zach Orr. Downing noted that the Ravens got a great pass rush last season without blitzing at a high volume. He sees Orr’s tendencies to be more aggressive while staying true to the main principles Mike Macdonald put in place last season. The long-time Ravens media man said this:

“Now, I don’t think we’re talking about a drastic transformation here, I don’t think it’s going to go back to when Wink Martindale was the defensive play caller for the Ravens, often led the league when it came to blitzing, I think it’s going to be somewhere in the middle of where it was with Wink and where it was with Mike. But I do think it will be more of an uptick this year.”

This makes a lot of sense. Orr was such a natural choice for the Ravens defensive coordinator job. Downing is correct in thinking the Ravens’ defense will be very similar to what it was last year. It’s also a given that there will be some changes. Orr had some of the best instincts I’ve ever seen at the linebacker position. He was the kind of player that played full speed and was always in attack mode. If that is how he is as a defensive coordinator, a little more blitzing seems like a given.

Never count out @KingHenry_2… @RoquanSmith58 can confirm pic.twitter.com/K11SBeK3eb

— NFL (@NFL) June 13, 2024

Joe Alfano of SI’s Raven Country also reported on the aggressive defense on display at Ravens mini-camp.

“Throughout mandatory minicamp this week, Orr dialed up an onslaught of blitzes with a variety of different looks. This new spin on the scheme is a welcome sight for the Ravens, on both sides of the ball.

“We’re seeing a lot of exotic looks and a lot of pressures from [defensive coordinator] Zach [Orr] and his crew, and it’s good for us too, because it’s testing our rules, and it’s testing the quarterback’s ability to change plays at the line of scrimmage,” quarterbacks coach Tee Martin told reporters Wednesday.”

It’s worth noting that the Ravens working on blitzes could be nothing more than getting some work done on pressure packages before training camp. The content of a summer practice doesn’t completely dictate what is on the docket or the big picture for the 2024 season.

The Ravens’ Satellite team out west

The latest former Raven to land in LA: Chargers today signed former Baltimore safety Tony Jefferson.

Jefferson now joins a list of former Ravens in LA that includes GM Joe Hortiz, OC Greg Roman, Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Hayden Hurst, Bradley Bozeman and Ben Mason. pic.twitter.com/jwZ1UXleDZ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 14, 2024

Former Ravens safety Tony Jefferson is reportedly coming back from retirement to play for the Los Angeles Chargers. Adam Schefter mentioned on X that this is the eighth former Raven who is now with the Chargers. The Chargers have dug further into the former Ravens well than Schefter has given them credit. Their defensive coordinator is Jesse Minter who was a former defensive backs coach in Baltimore, and Marc Trestman is part of the offensive brain with Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh as a senior assistant. Jefferson played with the Ravens from 2017-2019 and had a second stint in 2021. It’s almost surprising that his return isn’t going to be a third stint with the Ravens as he was a scouting intern with the team in 2023.

Reunited and it feels so good!

Ravens hosted 80 legends (for the first time ever) for a two-day reunion that included Top Golf, viewing Day 1 of minicamp practice and a cookout.

Because once a Raven, ð˜¼ð™‡ð™’ð˜¼ð™”𙎠a Raven! https://t.co/FygN3ti3y8

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 13, 2024

The Ravens hosted 80 former players to a reunion party this past Thursday. In the article on the Ravens website by Matt Ryan, a full list of attendees was posted. The big names that you expect like Ray Rice and Torrey Smith were there. You had Super Bowl XXXV representation with Qadry Ismail, Jamie Sharper, Anthony Mitchell, Brad Jackson, and Duane Starks. The event saw random Ravens like Yamon Figurs (who caught a deep touchdown from Joe Flacco against the Texans as the only highlight I remember) and Clarence Moore. From Trevor Pryce to Mark Clayton to Corey Graham there was a little bit of every part of Ravens history there. That’s a lot of awesome packed in.

Finishing mini camp feels like when school ends, and you’re on summer vacation gonna miss everyone until we’re back!!!

— Pat Ricard (@PRic508) June 13, 2024

The Ravens fullback had some positive vibes about mandatory mini-camp being over. Hopefully you can find the positive vibes for another Monday, and another week!

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