Colts sign former Baltimore DE Redding

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH/AP) - The Colts brought a defensive veteran on board Wednesday, picking up defensive end Cory Redding, a 9-year NFL veteran.

For Redding, a 6-foot-4-inch free agent,  it will mean a reunion with his former defensive coordinator Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, his former defensive coordinator in Baltimore, where Redding played in the 2010 and 2011. Prior to that, Redding played for the Detroit Lions and the Seattle Seahawks.

"This type of player is hard to come by because of the traits required to play over large offensive linemen while still being a force to stop the run. Cory has all of the characteristics to be very successful within our scheme," Pagano said in a statement, "and he will complement the rest of the defense very well. We’re excited to have him.”

In Baltimore, Redding was part of a defensive unit that ranked third in the league in total defense, second against the run and fourth against the pass.

The details of his deal with the Colts were not released.

With Redding lining up at end, Pagano now has the bigger pass-rusher he needs on the edge of the line and a player who is already familiar with the system.

"The biggest thing is football players are going to be what they are: football players," Redding said. "I believe with Chuck's history and bringing guys in slowly last year, they understood the package so when they got on the field, there wasn't no guessing. They knew what they were supposed to do, and with me helping out and kind of backing him up, I believe we can help the guys learn a lot faster."

The addition of Redding is a rare move for a Colts' team that has traditionally focused on keeping its own free agents in town.

It also could cause more upheaval for a team that has undergone a massive makeover since January.

After going an NFL-worst 2-14 and earning the No. 1 pick in next month's draft, team owner Jim Irsay fired the father-son front office tandem of Bill and Chris Polian. He also got rid of coach Jim Caldwell and most of his staff in January.

Then last week, the Colts cleaned the roster out. Gone are four-time league MVP Peyton Manning, Brackett, Bullitt, running back Joseph Addai, tight end Dallas Clark and backup quarterback Curtis Painter.

And the next big departure could be Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney, who is reportedly being shopped by the Colts. New general manager Ryan Grigson would not confirm he was looking to deal or cut Freeney, who counts $19 million against this season's salary cap. Getting rid of Freeney could save Indy $14 million against the cap immediately.