In what seems like a perfect match, the ultra-tough Ahmad Bradshaw on Tuesday signed a one-year deal to play for the Colts, a team with a young, star quarterback, a team on the rise and searching for additional toughness.
Bradshaw was released by the Giants early this offseason. He was a 2007 seventh-round pick of the Giants and quickly made a name for himself as a rugged running back, delivering with his unique bow-legged running style, his power always surprising considering his modest size. That running style, though, took a heavy toll on his feet.
The Giants moved on from Bradshaw, last year taking David Wilson in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Giants envision Wilson and Andre Brown as their 1-2 rushing punch. Bradshaw has been slowed in previous seasons by surgeries to repair broken bones in both feet and he underwent another procedure following the 2012 season.
Bradshaw was most often linked to the Steelers, who brought him in for a look during free agency but determined Bradshaw was not yet physically ready to play. Even though he has taken a beating, Bradshaw is only 27 years old and last season ran for 1,015 years. His best season was 2010, when he rushed for a career-high 1,235 yards.
The Colts will learn to love the way Bradshaw performs in pass protection, which should endear himself to second-year quarterback Andre Luck. The Colts were 22nd in the NFL last season in rushing yards. According to reports, Bradshaw’s one-year deal includes a base salary of $1.1 million, a signing bonus of $250,000 and $650,000 in per game roster bonuses.