Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton publicly defended Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr on Thursday, emphasizing that it is unjust to place the blame for the team’s struggles solely on him. The Ravens currently sit at a disappointing 1-2 after three games in the 2024 season, with their defense ranking last in the NFL for the first time in four years.
Hamilton stated, “The sky’s not falling,” suggesting that the issues facing the Ravens cannot be attributed to Orr alone. He remarked, “It’s unfair to put all the blame on him when there are 11 guys out there on the field that are playing their hearts off.” The Ravens have struggled significantly, ranking in the bottom three for total yards allowed (32nd), run defense (30th), pass defense (31st), and points allowed (31st), which diverges sharply from the franchise’s storied history of defensive excellence featuring legends like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.
Defensive Coordinator Under Fire
In a candid reflection, Hamilton noted the heightened expectations from fans. “I feel like sometimes Ravens fans can be a little spoiled,” he said. “We lose five games [in 2024] and the world is about to end.” Orr, who is in his second year as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, also addressed the critiques, emphasizing that he does not engage with social media to avoid distractions. “If you listen to that, it can definitely affect you,” he stated. “I just block out the noise and focus on football.”
Orr faced a similar challenging start last season, where the Ravens allowed an average of 25.3 points per game in the first ten weeks, ranking 25th in the league. However, in the final stretch of the season, his defense dramatically improved, allowing only 15.4 points per game, the best in the NFL during that period. He expressed determination to reverse the current trend, stating, “You can either sulk and let it get you down, or you can get up, pick yourself up and figure it out.”
Offense Shines Despite Defensive Struggles
The Ravens’ offense, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, has been a bright spot, ranking first in scoring with an average of 37 points per game. Despite this, the team’s defensive woes have overshadowed their offensive success. Hamilton noted that Baltimore has faced two of the league’s top offenses, the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions, which contributed to their struggles.
Looking ahead, the Ravens are set to face the Kansas City Chiefs, the Houston Texans, and the Los Angeles Rams in the coming weeks before their bye. Hamilton acknowledged the importance of the upcoming match against the Chiefs, stating, “We’ve got to prove ourselves every week in this league and didn’t do a good job last week. But we got another week and it’s a big game and a big opportunity for us.”
As the Ravens prepare for this crucial matchup, Hamilton remains optimistic. “The sky’s not falling. We’ll be all right,” he concluded, reinforcing the belief that the team can overcome its early-season challenges.
