King gets big pat on the back

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- Shaun King's crowning moment as a professional came in a 14-13 playoff win against the Redskins at Raymond James Stadium in January, 2000, when he threw a winning touchdown pass to tight end John Davis.

Since then, much has changed. He has lost his starting job and is third on the depth chart.

But coach Jon Gruden said he is seeing some of the old King, and hinted the fourth-year quarterback is playing himself into consideration.

"He's distracted by nothing," Gruden said. "He's all business right now. That's a great sign for him. The development of quarterback is not all footwork, reads, set ups, calling plays and audibles. A lot of it is the mind-set, the frame of mind you can get a guy in. If he can zoom in and stay focused, that light is going to get brighter and brighter."

Gruden said he has been impressed with King's approach and development through training camp. He doesn't believe in rotating quarterbacks and likely will stick with starter Brad Johnson, but didn't rule out playing King this year, especially in the event of an injury.

"When he gets his chance? Maybe this year," Gruden said. "I think the goal is to let Shaun King take off. When is liftoff time? I don't know. It may not be Sept. 8. It might be another time. But I really like what he has been doing. He's gone in there and moved the team and really been a leader. He's got a charisma about him now on game day. It's something I really like."

ROSTER MOVES: While the tradition has been to make the first set of cuts after the third preseason game, the Bucs began trimming the roster Tuesday by releasing backup kicker Rob Hart and running back Byron Hanspard.

Looking for depth at guard, the Bucs acquired former Lakewood High standout Cornell Green from the Dolphins for a seventh-round draft pick.

Though he came into the league as an undrafted free agent with Atlanta in 1999, Green spent most of the past two seasons with the Jets and line coach Bill Muir.

The addition of Green was not a surprise, as the Bucs needed line depth after injuries to Cosey Coleman and Todd Washington. Neither were the releases of Hart and Hanspard, considering they were far down the depth chart.

"It's part of the business, part of football," Gruden said. "If you saw the list yesterday, there were a number of players released. ... You pick up the transactions, and you see everyone's trying to zoom in on what they want to get done. Everyone handles this differently. A number were released (Monday) and more will be done (Tuesday)."

PAIN? WHAT PAIN?: Washington, who has been starting in place of Coleman (left knee), practiced despite a sore left knee.

"I can't worry about (being injured) right now. I can't. When I do, that's when I'll start playing bad," Washington said. "So I can't worry about it right now."

Washington, who signed a four-year contract this offseason and had arthroscopic surgery in March, said he plans to continue practicing despite the pain.

"I've got to," said Washington, who wears a brace on the left knee. "This is the NFL. You don't get a lot of chances to show what you can do. ... Whether you're hurt or not, you've got to do it. That's where I am at right now."

Washington said he is icing the knee, keeping it elevated and doing "a lot of praying."

Linebacker Shelton Quarles said his strained right calf felt better, but it remains uncertain when he'll return to practice or if he will play Saturday against Washington.

THE WHOLE TRUTH: The roster cuts Tuesday perhaps made some fringe players a bit nervous. Veteran receiver/kick returner Karl "The Truth" Williams, who faces stiff competition at receiver, is one of the more established players whose place on the final roster is uncertain.

Williams saw limited action in both preseason games, which concerns him.

"I'm getting playing time (but) I haven't had a ball thrown my way yet, and it's kind of confusing as a receiver," he said. "But I know it's preseason and they want to take a look at a lot of different guys. I'm just ready, so once they do throw it, I'm ready to grab it and just get up field with it."

Asked if he thinks he'll make the squad, he said: "I think so. Right now, I'm just trying to be as versatile as possible and trying to be a solid return man for them."

REMEMBER US?: Saturday night's preseason game against Washington will be a reunion of sorts for former Bucs receivers Reidel Anthony and Jacquez Green, who signed with the Redskins this offseason.

"It's going to be some trash talking going on, but it's all in the fun of the game," Williams said. "You know, I wish those guys the best, but it's going to be fun seeing them again, especially going up against them."

THE FIRE INSIDE: Now that linebacker Al Singleton is getting his chance to start, he is becoming anything but complacent.

"I've been waiting for six years for it," he said. "It almost lights a fire underneath you (because) you're not out there and you want to be out there full time, so you kind of play with an attitude. The key is to continue that attitude and increase that fire, and that's what I plan to do."