Joe Cullen interviewing with Baltimore Ravens

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have apparently allowed defensive line coach Joe Cullen to interview with the Baltimore Ravens for an unspecified role, according to Fox Sports' Alex Marvez. It's presumably for the role of defensive line coach: Dean Pees is in place as the defensive coordinator and expected to be retained, while defensive line coach Clarence Brooks is struggling with esophageal cancer.

That's an interesting development, given that the Bucs blocked the Chargers from interviewing Cullen earlier this month. That was before they hired Dirk Koetter and new defensive coordinator Mike Smith, though -- and this suggests that the Bucs are now fine with Cullen leaving even though he was one of just two defensive assistants retained when Lovie Smith was fired. The other assistant coach to still be on Tampa Bay's staff is linebackers coach and Bucs legend Hardy Nickerson.

If Cullen were to leave, that won't necessarily be a massive loss for the Bucs. While he stood out with an active demeanor, and the Bucs did improve in terms of sacks, they never managed to get any kind of consistent pass rush going and the play at defensive end was particularly disappointing, despite the team investing in some talent like Michael Johnson and George Johnson. Their failure to produce isn't necessarily Cullen's fault, but it's hard to make the case that he was a real difference maker.