Ravens veterans give stamp of approval to Baltimore's Zach Orr hire

The Baltimore Ravens opened up a new era on Tuesday, as they formally introduced Zach Orr as their new defensive coordinator. The Ravens decided against looking outside the organization for Mike Macdonald’s replacement but rather opted to instead promote Orr to the position.

Orr served as Baltimore’s inside linebackers coach over the past two seasons, so he did not closely work with the likes of nose tackle Michael Pierce and cornerback Brandon Stephens. Still, the two are much looking forward to seeing Orr anchor the Ravens’ well-rounded defense.

"He’s a great football mind who brings to work every day that same intensity, passion and knowledge he played with,” Pierce said in a statement published by the team. “He challenges guys on a level that only a former player could. He also can see the game and coach the game from a coach's point of view, as well as a player's.

“Zach knows what it means to be a Raven and carry the shield. He also knows what it takes daily to uphold that tradition. He’s been here basically his whole career, and he embodies what we strive to display every Sunday. He is a True Raven."

On Stephens’ part, he lauded Orr as “a leader at heart and a student of the game.”

Orr’s first order of business as new Ravens defensive coordinator will be to help fill out the vacancies on the team’s defensive coaching staff. Orr noted during his introductory press conference on Tuesday that Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and team general manager Eric DeCosta will have the final call on all hires, but he is indeed "very much involved in it."