If you're going to be entering the traffic pattern from the IAP, there's nothing wrong with descending to TPA. 91.175 allows for a "normal rate of descent using normal manuevers." I don't know about you guys, but I'm normally at traffic pattern altitude before I get to the traffic pattern. Flying at a higeher MDA until at the MAP and then leveling off qualifies as an ABnormal maneuver, in my book.