TAMPA, Fla., April 17 (UPI) -- Jon Gruden continued his offensive maneuvers with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday, signing free agent tight end Ken Dilger to a three-year contract.
Dilger, 31, spent seven seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before he was waived last February for salary cap purposes and drew interest from as many as five teams.
Known for his outstanding blocking skills, Dilger averaged 38 catches a season with the Colts.
Tampa Bay signed pass-catching tight end Marco Battaglia last month but held out hope that it could add Dilger to its West Coast offense.
"We are very excited to have Ken Dilger," Gruden said. "He's an outstanding player and a great team man."
At 6-5 and 255 pounds, Dilger provides a big target in the middle of the field and is durable, having missed just one game over the past four years.
Last season, Dilger often played with Marcus Pollard in double tight end alignments and caught 32 passes for 343 yards and a touchdown.
Since being named coach in February, Gruden has added Dilger, Battaglia, running back Michael Pittman, receivers Joe Jurevicius and Keith Poole and quarterback Rob Johnson while losing running back Warrick Dunn and receivers Jacquez Green and Reidel Anthony.
