Indianapolis Colts Football

Donnie Avery

The Colts have been extremely busy this off-season addressing the offensive line with three additions in the past month.

Moving out to the skill positions, the Colts signed speedy wide receiver Donnie Avery on Friday to add to their offensive influx.

The 5-foot-11-inch Avery spent his first three seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams before playing for the Tennessee Titans last year.

He was the first wide receiver taken in the 2008 NFL Draft and caught 100 passes in his first two seasons with the Rams.

“He ran a 4.27 (40-yard dash) coming out,” said Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson. “He’ll be getting a physical here, but he’s always been a fast guy. He’s had considerable production early on in his career and of course, he as well as we (do), hope he gets back to that level. It’s a nice get for us based on what he brings to the table and what he can help in this (offense) with much needed wrinkle of speed. And he’s a welcomed addition.”

That speed will compliment a Colts receiving corps that returns veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie, who caught 54 passes last season.

Avery suffered a season ending injury in the preseason in 2010 but bounced back to play eight games last year with the Titans.

“I was able to look at the limited film and touches he had in 2011 as best I could,” Grigson said.” I tried to gauge those flashes of his old self and I felt comfortable moving forward based on where we’re at with our receiving corps situation. He’s a very viable candidate to come in and contribute immediately and I’m excited about him being in the fold.”

This off-season marks the first time that Grigson has had the reigns as a general manager in the NFL.

He and his staff have been extremely busy in acquiring a total of eight players via free agency or through trade in the last two weeks.

“I addressed some areas that I thought were very key for us moving forward. And the type of player that fits Coach (Pagano) and my vision moving forward on a lot of different levels,” Grigson said. “I think we acquired those types of guys with the means we had. So, I’m very pleased with where we are at right now moving forward. We have a lot of work left to do, but I’m excited about the players we’ve acquired thus far.”

-Kevin Bowen