OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- When middle linebacker Roquan Smith was traded from the Chicago Bears to the Baltimore Ravens midway through the 2022 season, he had less than a week to get ready for his first game with his new team.
On Smith's first day in Baltimore, then-inside linebackers coach Zach Orr took him to his office and went over every play, a crash course that gave Smith a small glimpse of Orr's dedication and preparation.
"My head was spinning a little bit, but he was very patient with me," Smith said. "He was able to teach the information that I would need in order to succeed playing a game within six days. I think that's a credit to how he gets down [and] how he's about his business."
Orr will get to show the football world he's as quick of a learner as he is a teacher when the Ravens kick off the NFL season at the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday. Hired this offseason to replace Mike Macdonald as Baltimore's defensive coordinator, Orr will call his first game against the two-time defending Super Bowl champions and Patrick Mahomes' assortment of improvisational passes.
It's quite a first test for Orr to face the Chiefs, who lead the NFL in scoring (28.6) and total yards (396.8) per game since Mahomes became their starting quarterback in 2018.
Asked how Orr would handle his first game as a defensive playcaller against Kansas City, Smith quickly responded, "[He's going to] step up to the plate, and whatever comes, he's going to throw everything he's got. He's going to be prepared for them like no other. I've got the utmost respect for him and the utmost confidence that he's going to do the job with flying colors. I don't think there's any other questions to be asked about that."
Orr, 32, understands the level of defensive excellence in Baltimore. He was a second-team All-Pro linebacker for the Ravens in 2016, his best season in the NFL, but abruptly retired after the season because of a congenital neck and spine condition.
After spending four seasons as a defensive analyst for the Ravens (2017-20), he coached the outside linebackers for the Jacksonville Jaguars for one season (2021) and then returned to Baltimore as the inside linebackers coach. Last season, both of Orr's inside linebackers -- Smith and Patrick Queen -- made the Pro Bowl.
There has never been a question about Orr's coaching success, knowledge or passion. The uncertainty is how he will adjust to calling games.
"I'm getting comfortable every single day," Orr said. "Coach [John] Harbaugh does a great job of putting us in real-life game situations [in practice], so you have to think on the fly, you have to be prepared, you have to have your call sheet ready, you have to think a step ahead."
Last season, the Ravens were among the most dominant defenses in the NFL. Macdonald became the Seattle Seahawks head coach and two other assistants -- Anthony Weaver and Dennard Wilson -- became defensive coordinators. Baltimore became the first team in NFL history to lead the league in fewest points allowed (16.5), most sacks (60) and most takeaways (tied for first at 31) in the same season.
On what Orr's defense could look like this season, Ravens safety Marcus Williams replied: "His defense."
Last season, the Ravens were able to pressure the quarterback without having to send many extra pass rushers. Baltimore's 21.9% blitz rate was the eighth lowest in the league.
With Orr, the blitz frequency is expected to increase. When he was named the Ravens' defensive coordinator, Orr said he wanted his defense to produce "organized chaos."
"He was an aggressive player, so I think that's what you're going to want to see him [be] as a [defensive] coordinator, is be aggressive," Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy said. "But he's also really smart -- very, very smart. He knows defenses. He eats, breathes [and] sleeps football. That's what you want -- playing for a coach like that, who has literally dedicated his -- I believe it's 32 years now -- just straight football."
Orr follows a long line of successful defensive coordinators in Baltimore. Five of the Ravens' eight defensive playcallers have left to become head coaches: Marvin Lewis, Mike Nolan, Rex Ryan, Chuck Pagano and Macdonald.
The difference with Orr is he's a former player -- he was a teammate of current Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce -- and knows how to relate to his players.
"He has a relationship, I would say, with everybody on defense," Van Noy said. "You don't see that everywhere you go. 'Z.O.' prides himself on communication. He's done a really good job of communicating what he wants done, and you better do it."
It was about three years ago when other coaches told Orr that, if he aspired to be a coordinator, he needed to watch film and figure out how he'd call a game. He had to think about how he would stop certain game plans and attack different schemes.
Another change for Orr will be his sideline demeanor. As an assistant, he was one of the more animated and emotional figures after big plays.
"I can't celebrate too hard," Orr said. "[In] previous years, I was just waiting to hear the call. Now, everyone is looking at me like, 'What's the call? What's the call?' So, I've got to keep it mild-toned now. I'm definitely going to express my excitement when the time is right, but I definitely have to be aware of that."
It certainly should be an emotionally charged first challenge for Orr when he squares off against Mahomes and the Chiefs on national television. The Ravens believe Orr is up to the task.
"Zach is a defensive mastermind," Pro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Madubuike said. "He knows where to put us in positions to be successful. He knows our weaknesses. He knows our strengths. He knows how he can utilize us to play great on defense. I feel like our defense is going to be even better than last year."
