ORLANDO, Fla. -- Indianapolis, which vowed to focus on its 29th-ranked defense this offseason, nonethless couldn't pass up a proven wide receiver.

	Ismail

The Colts signed free agent Qadry Ismail on Monday. Ismail was released by the Baltimore Ravens last month as part of their roster purge for salary cap reasons. He adds another set of hands to the already potent Indianapolis arsenal, joining Pro Bowl wideout Marvin Harrison.

Ismail will battle with second-year pro and 2001 first-round draft pick Reggie Wayne for a starting job.

Ismail, 31, will sign a three-year contract worth about $4 million. ESPN.com's John Clayton reports the deal included a $1.25 million signing bonus and pays Ismail almost half of the contract in the first year. There is $1.5 million in incentives that can be added based on performance.

"Just a little present for Peyton (Manning)," said new Colts coach Tony Dungy, laughing. "He really is a good player and we're fortunate to get him. It gives us some pretty good depth at a position where you always need it."

The addition of Ismail all but eliminates the possibility the Colts will re-sign unrestricted free agent Jerome Pathon, whose representatives had casual discussions with Indianapolis officials. It might also affect the team's interest in retaining restricted free agent Terrence Wilkins. The money to sign Ismail was essentially freed up when the team signed "franchise" offensive tackle Tarik Glenn to a six-year deal last week.

Utilized primarily as a kickoff return specialist early in his career, Ismail has emerged over the past three seasons as a viable deep threat and effective playmaker.

The former Syracuse star, and younger brother of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Raghib Ismail, has averaged 64 catches, 939 yards and six touchdowns in the last three years. Forty-four of his 55 starts have come in that period, after six seasons in which he was basically an afterthought.

The Colts will represent his fifth different team after stints with Minnesota (1993-96), Miami (1997), New Orleans (1998) and Baltimore (1999-2001). For his career, he has appeared in 123 games and has 309 receptions for 4,675 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Len Pasquarelli is an ESPN.com senior writer.