Report: Colts Pen Bratzke

Chad Bratzke has parlayed a breakout season with the New York Giants last season into a reported six-year, $30 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

Bratzke, who recorded 11 sacks and led all defensive ends in tackles last season for the Giants, was one of the premier defensive lineman available on the free agent market. While terms were not disclosed, multiple reports state Bratzke will receive just over $5 million per season. The New York Post reports the $30 million figure includes a $9 million signing bonus.

New York, which was pressed against the cap after signing linebacker Corey Widmer, was unable to re-sign the five-year veteran from Eastern Kentucky.

While with New York, Bratzke teamed with Michael Strahan to give New York one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the league. Indianapolis had just two players record more than four sacks this season, defensive tackles Ellis Johnson (8) and Tony McCoy (6).

Bratzke is the lastest addition in a busy off-season for Indianapolis, which has signed free agent safety Chad Cota, wide receiver Lake Dawson and defensive end Shawn King. They also retained linebacker Michael Barber and defensive ends Johnson and Mark Thomas.

Since moving to Indianapolis in 1984, only four Colts have ever produced a double-digit sack season. Indianapolis (3-13) dropped five games last season in which it held a double-digit lead, not including an overtime loss in which it blew a seven-point lead in the closing seconds.

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