OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens’ secondary could make the job easier for new defensive coordinator Zach Orr.
The team’s defensive backs are playing at a high level a week and a half into training camp, intercepting 17 passes. Orr has been impressed.
“I think it’s just the players taking ownership,” Orr said about the early success in training camp. “They came in locked in and ready to roll since they got here for camp. One of the main things we talked about on defense is trying to eliminate explosive plays from the offense and taking the ball away. The ball is the most important thing in the game of football, and our job as a defense is to take it away, and guys have taken ownership of that, and they’ve really been focusing on doing that. So, it’s been a pleasure seeing those guys attack the ball and catch the football and come away with some interceptions.”
The Ravens’ secondary is led by safety Kyle Hamilton, who was named an All-Pro in just his second year. The team also signed veteran Eddie Jackson just before training camp to add depth at safety. Marcus Williams is another talented player but has missed time because of injuries.
The Ravens also have a pair of first-round draft picks at cornerback in Marlon Humphrey and rookie Nate Wiggins. Fellow cornerback, Brandon Stephens is emerging as one of the league’s top defensive backs, and Arthur Maulet has been a ball hawk in training camp.
Wiggins is adjusting to the NFL. He has one interception in training camp and has played well against the team’s wide receivers.
“Nate, he’s a heck of a football player, [and] he’s an instinctive player, so you don’t want to take that away from him, but you just continue to just try to tell him to play within the system – which he does – have great eyes, play with great technique, which he’s coming out here [and] working at every single day,” Orr said. “And the plays will come to you. He has natural ability, so he’s going to make his fair share of plays by doing his job, which he’s done out here so far at camp.”
