View Full Version : Colts hire Gus Bradley as new Defensive Coordinator
AlwaysSunnyinIndy
02-04-2022, 07:58 PM
https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1489743166223925256
The Colts are hiring Gus Bradley as defensive coordinator.
https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1489748377822707715
We know Chris Ballard loved that Seattle Legion of Boom defense that Gus Bradley helped build. With his arrival in Indy, this means Colts can presumably stick with the 4-3.
Discflinger
02-04-2022, 08:02 PM
Get on The Gus Bus!
https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1489743166223925256
https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1489748377822707715
3-4 or 4-3 doesnt matter. You wind up with 4 up front before the snap. Bradley will use the zone concept that the Colts already use. They wont need to retool the entire D
apballin
02-04-2022, 08:54 PM
I like it!!!
Racehorse
02-04-2022, 09:18 PM
Get on The Gus Bus!
Slip out the back, Jack and make a new plan, Stan.
Brylok
02-05-2022, 12:35 AM
<larry_david_face.gif>
Colts And Orioles
02-05-2022, 08:11 AM
I like it !!!
o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMJ_cnj2g2g
o
apballin
02-05-2022, 11:20 AM
Experienced guy responsible for one of the best defenses in history
Raiders defense played a lot better down the stretch of the season and he didn’t have the best talent on the roster outside of Crosby and Yannick
I’m excited to see what he can do with this roster and hopefully he can get the pass rushers to improve
Also wonder if Bradley’s hire will entice some of his former players to come here
Oldcolt
02-05-2022, 11:22 AM
Seems like a 'safe' hire. Old white guy. Doesn't excite me in the least, but really not coaching hire would have. I understand that most freaks and Colt fans think our biggest need is QB. Not me. Teams have won the Super Bowl with mediocre QBs before and will again. A team with Wentz at QB can win, just not because of him. A team that rushes the passer like we have the last few years will never win a Super Bowl. To me it is our biggest weakness, one that is impossible to overcome with the quality of QBs we play. It explains why we suck at holding a lead and are shit in the 4th quarter. Bradley blitzes less than even we did last year so our young guys better make a move if we are going to be anything more than a bubble team trying to be one and done as the best we can do. I have zero faith but tons of hope.
IndyNorm
02-06-2022, 12:29 PM
Seems like a 'safe' hire. Old white guy. Doesn't excite me in the least, but really not coaching hire would have. I understand that most freaks and Colt fans think our biggest need is QB. Not me. Teams have won the Super Bowl with mediocre QBs before and will again. A team with Wentz at QB can win, just not because of him. A team that rushes the passer like we have the last few years will never win a Super Bowl. To me it is our biggest weakness, one that is impossible to overcome with the quality of QBs we play. It explains why we suck at holding a lead and are shit in the 4th quarter. Bradley blitzes less than even we did last year so our young guys better make a move if we are going to be anything more than a bubble team trying to be one and done as the best we can do. I have zero faith but tons of hope.
Agree that pass rush is a huge issue, but it should probably do considered 1B in Ballard's priorities with QB being 1A. Looking at the last 10 Super Bowls at least 1 team (typically the winner) has/had an elite QB and more often that not both teams do/did.
'21- 2/2 (Stafford/Burrow)
'20 - 2/2 (Brady/Mahomes)
'19 - 1/2 (Mahomes/Garoppolo)
'18 - 1/2 (Brady/Goff)
'17 - 1/2 (Foles/Brady) - Although Foles caught lightening in a bottle in the NFCCG and SB
'16 - 2/2 (Brady/Ryan)
'15 - 1/2 (Manning/Newton) - Could arguably be 2/2, but putting 1/2 b/c Peyton was done in '15.
'14 - 2/2 (Brady/Wilson)
'13 - 2/2 (Wilson/Manning)
'12 - 0/2 (Flacko/Kaepernick) - Arguably 1/2 b/c Kaepernick was really good that year and the following before dropping like a rock
Brylok
02-06-2022, 04:01 PM
I keep reading here and there that Ballard is obsessed with the "legion of boom" defense that Seattle had ten years ago and wants to replicate it with Bradley. The problem with that is the Colts don't have anywhere near the level of defensive talent the Seahawks had. Do a google search for that old LOB roster. We're nowhere near it. Maybe Buckner and Leonard could have played with those guys. And now I'm reading that Ben Banogu is supposed to have a big role in the new defense. Yikes.
I keep reading here and there that Ballard is obsessed with the "legion of boom" defense that Seattle had ten years ago and wants to replicate it with Bradley. The problem with that is the Colts don't have anywhere near the level of defensive talent the Seahawks had. Do a google search for that old LOB roster. We're nowhere near it. Maybe Buckner and Leonard could have played with those guys. And now I'm reading that Ben Banogu is supposed to have a big role in the new defense. Yikes.
Where are you reading that?
Oldcolt
02-06-2022, 05:11 PM
Agree that pass rush is a huge issue, but it should probably do considered 1B in Ballard's priorities with QB being 1A. Looking at the last 10 Super Bowls at least 1 team (typically the winner) has/had an elite QB and more often that not both teams do/did.
'21- 2/2 (Stafford/Burrow)
'20 - 2/2 (Brady/Mahomes)
'19 - 1/2 (Mahomes/Garoppolo)
'18 - 1/2 (Brady/Goff)
'17 - 1/2 (Foles/Brady) - Although Foles caught lightening in a bottle in the NFCCG and SB
'16 - 2/2 (Brady/Ryan)
'15 - 1/2 (Manning/Newton) - Could arguably be 2/2, but putting 1/2 b/c Peyton was done in '15.
'14 - 2/2 (Brady/Wilson)
'13 - 2/2 (Wilson/Manning)
'12 - 0/2 (Flacko/Kaepernick) - Arguably 1/2 b/c Kaepernick was really good that year and the following before dropping like a rock
That is my point. All of those teams could rush the passer. I agree it is much easier with a pass rush AND a great QB but if I can only have one it would be the pass rush.
apballin
02-06-2022, 07:55 PM
I keep reading here and there that Ballard is obsessed with the "legion of boom" defense that Seattle had ten years ago and wants to replicate it with Bradley. The problem with that is the Colts don't have anywhere near the level of defensive talent the Seahawks had. Do a google search for that old LOB roster. We're nowhere near it. Maybe Buckner and Leonard could have played with those guys. And now I'm reading that Ben Banogu is supposed to have a big role in the new defense. Yikes.
Well there can’t be another Chancellor because his hits would be illegal today
Oldcolt
02-07-2022, 01:50 AM
Brylok, where did you hear Banogu is part of the plan?
Brylok
02-07-2022, 01:58 PM
It wasn't an official announcement or anything. I read Colts stuff from several places: here, dotcom, stampede blue, Colts reddit (r/Colts), and various Twitter accounts from Colts related people (Keefer, Holder, Chappell, Wells, Bremer, Doyle, Bowen, Kravitz, etc). So it was somewhere in those. I just kinda rolled my eyes when I read that and kept scrolling. Keefer I'm sure mentioned the LOB. Others did too but I don't remember where it was specifically. I just thought it was weird and cringeworthy.
Brylok
02-07-2022, 02:23 PM
There's mention of it in a reddit thread talking about the scheme Bradley is going to run. I've seen it elsewhere too, but that's one example. Again, it isn't anything official.
Oldcolt
02-07-2022, 02:46 PM
Banogu intrigues me. He doesn't even suit up most games but is still on the roster. Somebody in the organization likes the guy and I would like to find out why. He plays so sparingly it is hard to have an opinion on the guy. Maybe new coaching and a somewhat different scheme will change the direction of his career. I'm not holding my breath but why not?
Brylok
02-07-2022, 03:15 PM
Banogu intrigues me. He doesn't even suit up most games but is still on the roster. Somebody in the organization likes the guy and I would like to find out why. He plays so sparingly it is hard to have an opinion on the guy. Maybe new coaching and a somewhat different scheme will change the direction of his career. I'm not holding my breath but why not?
In that reddit thread it was suggested that he didn't fit into Eberflus' scheme and was left on the bench. He's supposed to fill the LEO/Joker spot under Bradley... whatever that means. I don't know...
In that reddit thread it was suggested that he didn't fit into Eberflus' scheme and was left on the bench. He's supposed to fill the LEO/Joker spot under Bradley... whatever that means. I don't know...
Pass rush from the LB spot. Moves the line around to some 3 down lineman and the LEO or 4 down and the extra pass rusher. More evidence Ballard has always wanted the Seattle style D. He said it back in 2019 I think
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/615806-seattle-seahawks-the-leo-defense-what-is-it-how-does-it-work
Oldcolt
02-07-2022, 06:39 PM
I would love to get some value out of that second rounder we used on Banogu
Brylok
02-07-2022, 06:44 PM
Pass rush from the LB spot. Moves the line around to some 3 down lineman and the LEO or 4 down and the extra pass rusher. More evidence Ballard has always wanted the Seattle style D. He said it back in 2019 I think
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/615806-seattle-seahawks-the-leo-defense-what-is-it-how-does-it-work
Y'all know FAR more than I do about technique, schemes, x's and o's, etc, than I do. I always learn stuff here.
HoosierinFL
02-08-2022, 08:31 AM
It wasn't an official announcement or anything. I read Colts stuff from several places: here, dotcom, stampede blue, Colts reddit (r/Colts), and various Twitter accounts from Colts related people (Keefer, Holder, Chappell, Wells, Bremer, Doyle, Bowen, Kravitz, etc). So it was somewhere in those. I just kinda rolled my eyes when I read that and kept scrolling. Keefer I'm sure mentioned the LOB. Others did too but I don't remember where it was specifically. I just thought it was weird and cringeworthy.
Those people are all full of it. Bradley has barely been on the job a few days and suddenly these guys think they know exactly what he's going to do with these various players.
HoosierinFL
02-08-2022, 08:57 AM
In that reddit thread it was suggested that he didn't fit into Eberflus' scheme and was left on the bench. He's supposed to fill the LEO/Joker spot under Bradley... whatever that means. I don't know...
So I've just done some reading on this LEO defense, and while Banogu could maybe fill that LEO role, where does that leave Kwity Paye?
As I understand the LEO defensive line, Stewart could be the 1 tech, Buckner the 3 tech, and LEO rushes from the weakside and you need a "Big End" as the 5 tech (or sometimes 6-tech) on the strong side. This "Big End" would be built more like a DT, than an edge-rushing DE.
So it seems more likely to me that Odeyingbo, listed as 25 lbs heavier than Paye, would play the Big End role and Paye (backed up by Turay? or Banogu) becomes the LEO. Odeyingbo would be playing the same role that Joey Bosa played in the Chargers defense when Bradley was there, and Paye would be in the Melvin Ingram role.
AlwaysSunnyinIndy
02-08-2022, 11:28 AM
Looks like Bradley has his DB Coach on board.
https://twitter.com/HolderStephen/status/1490788554838089733
New Colts DC Gus Bradley is still working on his staff, but as of now, it looks likely former Raiders DBs coach Ron Milus will join him in Indy.
Milus is highly regarded. Has coached Eric Weddle, Jason Verrett, Derwin James, Casey Hayward Jr and Desmond King, among others.
Brylok
02-08-2022, 12:33 PM
Those people are all full of it. Bradley has barely been on the job a few days and suddenly these guys think they know exactly what he's going to do with these various players.
Honestly, I'm just bored and reporting what I've read. Personally, I'm down on Ballard, Reich, and the Colts in general. I don't think we'll win the division or a playoff game next season, and I'm just looking for some hope. And this board is usually dead as a doornail and boring during the off season.
Brylok
02-08-2022, 12:41 PM
So I've just done some reading on this LEO defense, and while Banogu could maybe fill that LEO role, where does that leave Kwity Paye?
As I understand the LEO defensive line, Stewart could be the 1 tech, Buckner the 3 tech, and LEO rushes from the weakside and you need a "Big End" as the 5 tech (or sometimes 6-tech) on the strong side. This "Big End" would be built more like a DT, than an edge-rushing DE.
So it seems more likely to me that Odeyingbo, listed as 25 lbs heavier than Paye, would play the Big End role and Paye (backed up by Turay? or Banogu) becomes the LEO. Odeyingbo would be playing the same role that Joey Bosa played in the Chargers defense when Bradley was there, and Paye would be in the Melvin Ingram role.
I'm definitely NOT a technical/scheme/x and o's guy. I leave that to y'all who know about that sort of stuff. I just watch the games and try to learn from those of you with knowledge of the technical things.
So I've just done some reading on this LEO defense, and while Banogu could maybe fill that LEO role, where does that leave Kwity Paye?
As I understand the LEO defensive line, Stewart could be the 1 tech, Buckner the 3 tech, and LEO rushes from the weakside and you need a "Big End" as the 5 tech (or sometimes 6-tech) on the strong side. This "Big End" would be built more like a DT, than an edge-rushing DE.
So it seems more likely to me that Odeyingbo, listed as 25 lbs heavier than Paye, would play the Big End role and Paye (backed up by Turay? or Banogu) becomes the LEO. Odeyingbo would be playing the same role that Joey Bosa played in the Chargers defense when Bradley was there, and Paye would be in the Melvin Ingram role.
Paye is athletic, quick and strong. Freeney could have played it, with his speed, so its not as if its one size fit. Paye has a good motor, he needs more coaching on how to play the outside. Paye played inside often at Michigan. How would it look if they stepped him down to DT and put Bruckner at RDE?
Maybe this will help
https://twitter.com/ZachHicks2/status/1491070497211265027?s=20&t=kIf_qRiFaiRm6mtGK7UV9w
I also asked Lawrence Owen @Colts_Law to do a breakdown for us
Brylok
02-08-2022, 07:00 PM
Maybe this will help
https://twitter.com/ZachHicks2/status/1491070497211265027?s=20&t=kIf_qRiFaiRm6mtGK7UV9w
I forgot about Zach Hicks. I'll add him to the follow list.
AlwaysSunnyinIndy
02-09-2022, 04:25 PM
Bradley met with the media today. Joel Erickson captured several talking points.
Video of the press conference is also available on colts.com.
(http://www.colts.com/video/gus-bradley-defensive-coordinator-introductory-press-conference-2022)
https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1491457863004434436
Gus Bradley mentions his connection to Philip Rivers, says he talked to Rivers about the situation in Indy.
https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1491458222057787394
Bradley acknowledges that typically he’s been hired to build up defenses that have been in the cellar, and this is a little bit different. There’s already a foundation, mentions Buckner-Leonard-Moore, specifically.
https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1491458503965392896
Bradley says he has a long-running relationship with Matt Eberflus, is well aware of the foundation set.
https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1491459080329773056
Bradley says his scheme is more of a match principle, based on pre-snap, post-snap indicators.
The beginning stages of the Hawk 3 was landmark-based
https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1491459526784135170
Bradley says evolution from landmark to match emphasis has come from the way teams attacked the Hawk 3, found weaknesses.
https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1491460260187492356
Bradley has cited Philip Rivers and Jon Gruden as offensive minds who’ve tested his scheme and helped it evolve.
https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1491462434388856838
On the LEO: Bradley says that spot opens up a place for the speed rusher, the 250-pound-type guy.
Playing time for those types of players was often an issue in the last defense.
https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1491464612050612226
On the LEO, Kwity Paye’s speed and change of direction traits would fit that, even though he’s known as more of a heavier player.
The question for me, there, is if Paye can continue to make a transition to a speed style after playing so much read and react in college.
AlwaysSunnyinIndy
02-12-2022, 04:57 PM
Looks like Bradley has his DB Coach on board.
The Milus hiring is official. Also appears that the Colts are bringing in Richard Smith as the LB coach.
https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/1492568836515590149
The Colts have officially hired former Raiders DBs coach Ron Milus as their secondary coach, per source. Milus has been coaching defensive backs in the NFL for nearly 30 years. Solid get for Indy’s DBs.
https://twitter.com/mchappell51/status/1492580834779537408
Colts also working on ex-Vegas LB coach Richard Smith. Both . . . Smith and Milus are . . . long-time aides to DC Gus Bradley.
omahacolt
02-13-2022, 10:50 AM
In that reddit thread it was suggested that he didn't fit into Eberflus' scheme and was left on the bench. He's supposed to fill the LEO/Joker spot under Bradley... whatever that means. I don't know...
well he wasn't a top 4 de and he didn't excel at special teams. that would lead to not suiting up most weeks
Oldcolt
02-23-2022, 03:53 PM
Mathis says on twitter that the only issue with the Colts defensive line is coaching. He thinks the athletes are there but haven’t gotten the coaching they need. I’m hoping he is correct If so the next DL coach will be very interesting and important
Mathis says on twitter that the only issue with the Colts defensive line is coaching. He thinks the athletes are there but haven’t gotten the coaching they need. I’m hoping he is correct If so the next DL coach will be very interesting and important
Ole Rob is posturing for a job. HA
Chromeburn
02-24-2022, 01:09 PM
Ole Rob is posturing for a job. HA
Didn’t we hire Rob, and he decided he wanted to go private?
All the sports writers seem to agree the coaching there has been sub par and that they need a good coach there.
smitty46953
02-24-2022, 01:46 PM
Ole Rob is posturing for a job. HA
That's what I thought too :cool:
AlwaysSunnyinIndy
02-24-2022, 08:50 PM
The Colts have added Mike Mitchell to the staff as an Asst Secondary Coach.
https://twitter.com/HolderStephen/status/1496990399914602497
Another former Colts player will be joining the coaching staff. Former NFL safety Mike Mitchell, a renowned leader as a player, will join Frank Reich’s staff as an assistant secondary coach, per league source. Mitchell was a 2nd round pick in 2009 and played 10 seasons.
https://twitter.com/HolderStephen/status/1496991636156739584
This is the second such hire this week. Former Colts linebacker Cato June joined the staff earlier this week.
IndyNorm
02-24-2022, 09:57 PM
The Colts have added Mike Mitchell to the staff as an Asst Secondary Coach.
https://twitter.com/HolderStephen/status/1496990399914602497
https://twitter.com/HolderStephen/status/1496991636156739584
Wasn't Mike Mitchell a big influence on getting Quincy Wilson to play halfway decent for a season? If so, then that's probably a really good hire.
Wasn't Mike Mitchell a big influence on getting Quincy Wilson to play halfway decent for a season? If so, then that's probably a really good hire.
You're thinking of Mike Adams I think.
AlwaysSunnyinIndy
02-24-2022, 10:29 PM
You're thinking of Mike Adams I think.
No, IndyNorm had it right. It was Mike Mitchell.
https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2018/11/21/indianapolis-colts-quincy-wilson-mike-mitchell-saved-my-season/
It is no secret that Indianapolis Colts cornerback Quincy Wilson has failed to live up to the lofty expectations that came with his high draft slot.
Even Wilson noticed it, which led to him turning to veteran safety Mike Mitchell for help on how to go about surviving in the NFL. The production is already showing, and Wilson credits Mitchell with saving his season.
“To be honest,” Wilson said via the Indianapolis Star, “Mike Mitchell came in here and saved my season.”
apballin
02-24-2022, 10:29 PM
You're thinking of Mike Adams I think.
No he’s correct it was Mike Mitchell
AlwaysSunnyinIndy
02-25-2022, 08:22 AM
Mathis says on twitter that the only issue with the Colts defensive line is coaching. He thinks the athletes are there but haven’t gotten the coaching they need. I’m hoping he is correct If so the next DL coach will be very interesting and important
The Colts are hiring Nate Ollie as their new DL coach. He was previously on the Jets and Eagles coaching staffs.
https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1497035060813385733
Sources: Colts hiring defensive line coach Nate Ollie, former Jets assistant defensive line coach, as replacement for Brian Baker
Chromeburn
02-25-2022, 02:16 PM
The Colts are hiring Nate Ollie as their new DL coach. He was previously on the Jets and Eagles coaching staffs.
https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1497035060813385733
Jets defense and dline was good last year.
IndyNorm
02-26-2022, 09:54 AM
You're thinking of Mike Adams I think.
The other guys beat me to it. Adams was the guy Grigs signed in '14 (I think in training camp) and had a couple of really good years here and went to the Pro Bowl. This sparked Grigs to go with ageing vets and brought in a bunch of them the following offseason which obviously didn't work out.
IndyNorm
02-26-2022, 09:55 AM
Jets defense and dline was good last year.
They weren't against us :D
apballin
02-26-2022, 10:21 AM
They weren't against us :D
That’s because we have Jonathan Taylor
Chromeburn
02-26-2022, 11:15 AM
They weren't against us :D
Nope, but they were most of the year.
IndyNorm
02-26-2022, 12:19 PM
Nope, but they were most of the year.
I was just making a joke about their performance against us (you can't put too much stock in 1 bad performance on a TNF road game). But your comment did lead me to look it up, and you're wrong. The Jets D was really bad this year as they ranked dead last in the league in scoring D at 29.6 ppg, which was over 2 ppg higher than the Lions who finished in 31st.
Of course this doesn't mean that Ollie wasn't a good hire.
Oldcolt
03-28-2022, 08:41 AM
Colts are adding John Fox to as senior defensive assistant. Good to get some coaches with extensive experience on the defense. We have some young assistants that could use some expertise.
TheMugwump
03-28-2022, 04:02 PM
Colts are adding John Fox to as senior defensive assistant. Good to get some coaches with extensive experience on the defense. We have some young assistants that could use some expertise.
I like this hire, John Fox is REALLY experienced. Seems like he always had good defenses in Carolina and Denver.
vBulletin® v3.8.9, Copyright ©2000-2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.