After engaging in "heavy negotiations" Monday, the Indianapolis Colts have agreed with former New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw on a one-year contract, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday. The Colts later officially confirmed that they've signed Bradshaw.
Bradshaw will receive a $250,000 signing bonus on top of a $1.1 million base salary and $650,000 in per-game roster bonuses, a source who has seen the contract told Rapoport.
"Signing a player like Bradshaw, his resume obviously speaks for itself," coach Chuck Pagano said. "We know he's coming off foot surgery, he's trending in the right direction. This guy's just another horseshoe guy, get us one step closer to hoisting that trophy."
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Bradshaw still was playing at a high level in 2012, recording his second career 1,000-yard season for the New York Giants while averaging a stout 4.6 yards per carry and 10.7 yards per reception. It's likely no coincidence that Bradshaw's chronic foot issues popped up after his combined 57 carries for 316 yards in back-to-back victories over the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers in Weeks 5 and 6 last season.
Arguably the No. 1 back available in free agency, Bradshaw went unsigned for three months because of durability concerns. He was released by the Giants in February after undergoing yet another procedure to repair multiple fractures in his foot.
If healthy, Bradshaw will be the Colts' most complete and effective tailback. His biggest contributions will come as a goal-line hammer and passing-down body guard for Andrew Luck, who was sacked 41 times and hit countless others last season.
The Colts' coaching staff also is high on second-year pro Vick Ballard, so expect the two backs to be used in a tandem attack that will prevent Pagano from overusing Bradshaw to the extent that Giants coach Tom Coughlin did last season. Injury-prone tease Donald Brown, the Colts' No. 27 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, now is squarely on the roster bubble.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.
