The Bucs have begun addressing their many defensive needs.

They have announced a deal with Buffalo free agent Angelo Crowell, who had visited One Buc Place early last week before sitting down with the Bills on Monday. It isn't clear whether his meeting with Buffalo resulted in a contract offer, but the Bucs remained interested all along.

Crowell, 27, will compete for a starting job at strong-side linebacker, where third-year player Quincy Black currently sits atop the depth chart.

A 2003 third-round pick of the Bills, Crowell is coming off a season-ending knee surgery that sidelined him for all of 208. But in 2007 he recorded a career year,rec leading Buffalo with 140 tackles and two sacks. He was only linebacker in the NFL that season to record a safety, sack, interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Crowell has 41 starts in his career and, at 6-1 and 246 pounds, adds some bulk to the Bucs' linebacking corps.