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Bucs Show Interest In DT Coleman

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By ROY CUMMINGS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 20, 2008

TAMPA - The Bucs might not wait until the official start of the free-agency signing period to sign their first free agent.

In a move that could eventually bolster their pass rush, the Bucs were expected to enter into negotiations with the agent for former Falcons defensive tackle Rod Coleman late Tuesday.

"I expect to speak with them soon," Coleman's agent, Pat Dye Jr., wrote in an e-mail to the Tribune on Tuesday morning. "Rod will be officially waived Tuesday."

Dye's e-mail came not long before Coleman fawned over the Bucs and Coach Jon Gruden during an interview on Sirius NFL Radio in which he seemed to indicate a strong desire to join Tampa Bay.

Coleman, who missed all but five games because of hand and triceps injuries last year, has 58.5 career sacks, including 52.5 between 2001 and 2007, the most by an interior defensive linemen during that span.

The Bucs also are expected to make a run at signing Coleman's former Falcons teammate, Alge Crumpler. Crumpler could fill the team's need for a tight end. Like Coleman, he was waived last Friday and officially became a free agent Tuesday.

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