Former Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw Visiting the Colts

Right in the middle of the NFL's offseason, we bring you stuff that actually has to do with the Colts' roster!

Today, the Indianapolis Colts are entertaining free agent running back Ahmad Bradshaw on a free agent visit.

Drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL draft, Bradshaw spent six seasons in New York, winning two super bowls with the Giants. He even scored the game-winning touchdown against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI in - yup, you guessed it - Lucas Oil Stadium.

Bradshaw has rushed for 4,232 yards and averaged 4.8 yards per carry (921 total) while scoring 32 touchdowns in six years. He has topped 1,000 yards in a season twice, including last year (221 carries for 1,015 yards and 6 scores).

The problem with Bradshaw is injuries. He has played all 16 games in a season only once (2010), but then again the fewest amount of games that he has played in is 12 (2011). His lower leg (ankle and feet) issues have nagged him for a while and has scared away a few teams, as the Steelers, Packers, and Broncos all worked him out before deciding to draft a running back. Still, for a guy who wouldn't be asked to shoulder the load for the Colts, it seems like a great fit.

The team is in need of help at running back (although opinions differ as to how much of a need that is) and is a young group that would benefit from the addition of Bradshaw.

Despite what some may think, Bradshaw wouldn't immediately jump to number one on the depth chart. Vick Ballard is well-liked by the coaches and right now has a clear hold of the number one running back spot - and deservedly so. Bradshaw would get a significant amount of carries and would be a great complement to Ballard, as neither guy is a guy who is at his best while taking the majority of the carries.

So is it likely that the Colts do indeed sign Ahmad Bradshaw? I'm not sure. If I had to guess, though, I'd say that it's leaning towards happening. Our own Brad Wells tweeted this interesting observation earlier today:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Every time the Colts have featured a free agent visitor on their website this offseason, that player has signed. Bradshaw just got featured.</p>&mdash; Brad Wells (BBS) (@StampedeBlue) <a href="https://twitter.com/StampedeBlue/status/342682964964044800">June 6, 2013</a></blockquote>

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If Bradshaw is signed, the question becomes who the odd man out would be. We would look at the issue more in depth should it become a reality, but Delone Carter would likely be the one out of the mix. He isn't a Ryan Grigson guy and hasn't seen much playing time in the past few years. Added on top of that is the word I got from Tom James (a real cool dude and a must-follow on twitter) that Carter recently had shoulder surgery:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/coltsfanwilson">coltsfanwilson</a> injury issues. Just had shoulder surgery before thestart of OTAs.</p>&mdash; Tom James (@TribStarTJames) <a href="https://twitter.com/TribStarTJames/status/342725216612515840">June 6, 2013</a></blockquote>

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Will this move happen? Who knows. But the fact that the Colts brought him in for a visit at least means that there is interest. At a reasonable price (and he probably won't get much above a minimum deal), Bradshaw would be a tremendous signing for the Colts. He fits in well and would be a great complement to Vick Ballard.

Note: Here's a tweet from the Colts' official twitter account with a picture of Bradshaw visiting the Colts:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Free agent running back @<a href="https://twitter.com/ahmadbradshaw">ahmadbradshaw</a> is visiting the <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Colts">#Colts</a> today. BLOG: <a href="http://t.co/VkUDwlTrUx" title="http://oak.ctx.ly/r/5yyb">oak.ctx.ly/r/5yyb</a> <a href="http://t.co/B30T9y7EGE" title="http://twitter.com/nflcolts/status/342682500507791362/photo/1">twitter.com/nflcolts/statu…</a></p>&mdash; Indianapolis Colts (@nflcolts) <a href="https://twitter.com/nflcolts/status/342682500507791362">June 6, 2013</a></blockquote>

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UPDATE: Well, we now have this report from NFL Network's Kimberly Jones. At very least, it sounds like the Colts have serious interest. We'll see where this goes.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>From @<a href="https://twitter.com/kimjonessports">kimjonessports</a>: Looks like a deal will get done between Colts-Bradshaw. They are negotiating now.</p>&mdash; NFL: AroundTheLeague (@NFL_ATL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL_ATL/status/342736795303280642">June 6, 2013</a></blockquote>

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UPDATE 2: Another report from NFL Network's Kimberly Jones says that a deal is still likely to happen, but that is might not happen Thursday night. Sit tight, Colts fans. All we can do is wait for the moment. Yeah, welcome to the offseason. There's nothing else for us bloggers who live in our mother's basements to do but sit at the computer screen waiting for something to happen.

NFL Network's Kimberly Jones reports that Bradshaw and the Indianapolis Colts are currently in contract talks, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. It doesn't appear the two sides will get a contract done on Thursday night, but a deal is likely to happen.