Defensive tackle Rod Coleman has been on Tampa Bay's radar ever since he was released by the Atlanta Falcons last week, and now it looks like he will make a trip to Tampa to meet with the Buccaneers.

Coleman should visit One Buccaneer Place later this week, Coleman's agent Pat Dye told PewterReport.com on Monday. Exactly how soon Coleman visits Tampa Bay this week likely will be determined by how much progress Dye and the Bucs make in contract negotiations.

The Buccaneers are looking to improve their pass rush, which generated just 33 sacks in 2007. Although he's 31, Coleman is a player that could do that. He has notched 58.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles in 109 career games.

The 6-foot-2, 285-pound Coleman recorded 31 of his career sacks over the last four seasons in Atlanta. However, Coleman suffered through an injury-plagued season in 2007, notching just two sacks in five games before finishing the season on injured reserve.

Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen are quite familiar with Coleman, whom they drafted in Oakland in 1999.

Coleman is a player the Bucs could work in to the rotation at the under tackle position with Jovan Haye, who is scheduled to become a restricted free agent.

The Bucs are also interested in signing former Atlanta tight end Alge Crumpler, who was released with Coleman and five other Falcons players last week. However, it is not yet known whether Crumpler has set up a visit with the Bucs.

Tampa Bay will be approximately $35 million under the salary cap when free agency begins on Friday.

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