The new defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, Gus Bradley, is best known for his work as a defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.
At the beginning of the last decade, the Seahawks’ secondary legion of boom came under Bradley.
While taking on the defense of the Raiders, Bradley still thinks the process starts in the top four.
“I really know where it all starts at the front,” said Bradley on Tuesday. “I think this is first and foremost – getting things right in advance and then filling in everywhere else. But, you need quality players at each level to succeed in the NFL and then the ability to really communicate that information to them so that it really looks like football. “
Getting more passing speed is Bradley’s biggest need. Defensive tip Maxx Crosby led the Raiders with seven sacks and they had very little pass rush otherwise. So planning this area will be Bradley’s biggest challenge.
Bradley, who was fired from the Los Angeles Chargers coaching staff last week, was attracted to the job in Las Vegas, in large part, because of his relationship with Raider coach Jon Gruden. Bradley was the coach of Gruden’s linebackers in Tampa Bay from 2006-08.
“Coach Gruden and I had experience together when we were in Tampa together,” said Bradley. “I was lucky that he hired me from North Dakota – both he and Mount Kiffin. So, we met a few years ago during that time.
“We were in touch when we saw each other at the combine, but what I was really impressed with was when I came here to interview, it was just the vision that Coach had. I had a chance to meet with [owner] Mark Davis – he participated in the interview and shared his vision.
“To hear Jon Gruden’s vision, [General Manager] Mike Mayock’s vision was something that was great to hear and see how they are so closely related. It was a very, very positive experience. “
Raider fans now expect Bradley’s experience to be a positive one in Las Vegas.