Bucs to contact Falcons free agents

Falcons defensive tackle Rod Coleman is on the Bucs' radar, according to his agent.

Pat Dye, Jr., said he expects to begin discussions with the Bucs regarding Coleman later today. The same is true with Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler. The Falcons announced Friday that both players were among seven the team planned to release. However, those transactions won't be official until today because the NFL office was closed Monday for President's Day.

"I expect to speak to Bucs soon on Rod,'' Dye said. "Officially, (he was) waived today.''

The Bucs defense ranked second overall last season and improved their sack total to 33 in 2007. But it wasn't good enough and Coleman would be a welcome addition. He has recorded 31 of his 58.5 career sacks in the last four seasons with the Falcons and would likely rotate at under tackle with Jovan Haye.

But last season, Coleman, 31, was plagued by injuries and played in just five games, recording two sacks before finishing the year on Injured Reserve. Coleman injured his right quadriceps muscle during a jet ski accident last April. He later suffered injuries to his kneecap, right triceps and right pectoral muscles.

If he checks out healthy, expect Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen to move quickly on Coleman. They drafted him with the Raiders in 1999.

Crumpler has been making big plays against the Bucs for years. The 6-foot-2, 262-pound tight end has more than 4,000 career receiving yards and 35 touchdown passes. He caught 42 passes for 444 yards and five scores last season.

The Bucs are in the market for a tight end with Anthony Becht and Jerramy Stevens expected to become unrestricted free agents Feb. 29.

In other news, linebacker Cato June is rehabilitating from foot surgery to repair an injury that forced him to miss the Bucs' wildcard playoff game against the Giants. He is expected to be fully recovered in time to participate in the off-season program.