INDIANAPOLIS – Chris Ballard's first offseason as a general manager has him active in plucking players from other AFC South teams.
The third such acquisition came on Friday morning when the Colts signed nose tackle Al Woods to a two-year deal.
"Al has the ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line," Ballard said in a team release. "Adding an experienced veteran like Al will help us win battles up front."
A 2010 fourth-round pick, Woods (6-4, 307 pounds) started 17 games for the Titans over the past three seasons (playing in 42 total).
If Woods does indeed play nose tackle for the Colts, it comes at a position where an upgrade was always thought to be a possible need this offseason.
David Parry (6-2, 310 pounds) has been the Colts' starter at nose for each of the past two years.
Adding competition has been the theme of Ballard's first free agency and now Woods will bring that to the interior of the defensive line.
In eight NFL seasons, Woods has made stops with the Buccaneers (2010), Seahawks (2011), Steelers (2011-13) and the Titans (2014-16).
The Titans released Woods on March 8 (meaning he won't count against the Colts trying to earn compensatory picks next year). The release of Woods came just a season after the 29-year-old had signed a three-year deal with the Titans.
Woods has 104 career tackles and 3.5 sacks, with his main duties as an interior defensive lineman coming in absorbing blockers and freeing up linebackers.
Since free agency started a week ago, the Colts have added five guys to the front seven of their defense.
In the past week, the Colts lost DT-Zach Kerr (signed with the Broncos) and added DE-Margus Hunt, plus NT-Al Woods to their defensive line.
If Woods does start at nose tackle for the Colts he will join the following guys to start at NT for Chuck Pagano: David Parry, Josh Chapman, Montori Hughes, Aubrayo Franklin, Antonio Johnson and Martin Tevaseu.
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