Gus Bradley intent on taking Colts' defense to top of league

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Gus Bradley has a simple defensive approach.

Play fast, force turnovers and make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable. Those were the principles he used to guide a Super Bowl-winning defense in Seattle, and he believes they can produce the same result in Indianapolis.

Bradley was introduced as the Colts' defensive coordinator on Wednesday. He replaces Matt Eberflus, who took the Chicago Bears' head coaching job last month after four seasons as Indy's defensive play-caller.

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"We want an effort-based defense," Bradley said. "We want great enthusiasm, which I think is important on the field. Great energy, great toughness — mentally and physically tough — and the final thing is a defense that plays smart, makes good decisions. It’s play fast and ball out. It’s not complicated."

The 55-year-old Bradley arrives with a reputation for turning poor defenses into strong units.

He did it again last year — his only season with Las Vegas. Bradley inherited a defense that finished among the bottom fourth of the NFL in 2020 and led it to a No. 14 ranking as the Raiders overcame the midseason loss of coach Jon Gruden and reached the playoffs. Gruden resigned after his past offensive emails were made public, but Bradley appreciated the time he spent with the veteran coach.

New Indianapolis Colts NFL football team defensive coordinator Gus Bradley speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

"It was great for me to be with Jon Gruden because here’s an offensive mindset trying to attack you every day in practice," Bradley said. "That was a good experience