Will King answer the call?

The Bucs QB likely will get his first start in two years tonight.

[Times photo: James Borchuck] Bucs quarterback Shaun King is looking forward to saying hello to the starting lineup.

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 23, 2002

TAMPA -- As game time nears, it looks more like backup Shaun King will start tonight for the Bucs against the Steelers.

Coach Jon Gruden still is holding out hope that starter Brad Johnson, sidelined with a deep bruise in the lower back, will be ready. But Johnson and the Bucs finished a light walk-through Sunday, one in which King again took virtually all the snaps.

"Nothing's really changed in terms of what we said all week," Gruden said. "If Brad feels like he can go, we'll consider going with him. But right now, it's up in the air.

"(Shaun's) taken a vast majority of the reps; we have to have that contingency plan. I feel pretty good. I think he's had a good week of practice. I'm confident. We've got to protect him. We've got to play well around him. I'm confident in his ability to manage this game.

Gruden said the coaching staff will take Johnson, 34, to Raymond James Stadium early today and carefully assess his health.

"All we're going to do is sit around and watch soap operas anyhow," Gruden said. "There's plenty of time to have a conversation and see what his health situation is. Once we determine that, we'll make our final decision. We'll do what's best for our team. That's the bottom line."

Though the Bucs are the NFC South champions, tonight's game is critical in their pursuit of a first-round bye. A win against the Steelers tonight and the Bears on Sunday coupled with an Eagles loss at the Giants on Saturday would give the Bucs homefield throughout the playoffs.

Gruden said knowing King has played in games of similar significance and on Monday night gives the team confidence.

"It's very comforting," Gruden said. "But again, what's happened in the past is irrelevant. We're playing a guy -- if he does start the game -- who hasn't played very much at all in the last two years. That's a tall order against a defense like this. Certainly, he's capable. He's proven that. I'd be surprised if he does not play really well, if he's the guy."

Gruden said that while King does a few things differently than Johnson, the Bucs aren't necessarily going to overhaul the offensive game plan.

"We've got to gear our game plan to this defense," Gruden said. "Let's be honest, you can't go out there and do what (King) does well. You've got to do things that you feel like you can get done against the Pittsburgh Steelers."

King, in his fourth season with the Bucs, said he cherished the opportunity to work as the starter last week. Of his experiences in big games, King said Sunday: "It helps, I know what to expect. I understand the magnitude of the situation because I've been there before. That'll help. I understand you have to be consistent throughout the game, regardless of whether it starts great or starts badly."

King completed his only pass this year, a key 7-yarder to Karl Williams in the final seconds at Carolina that set up a winning field goal. His last start was Dec. 31, 2000, a 21-3 playoff loss at Philadelphia. As Johnson's backup last season, King played in three games and was 21-for-31 for 210 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

King, 25, said the time between starts isn't likely to rattle him.

"That's not my personality," he said. "I'm kind of a smooth, consistent type of guy. For the most part, I try not to let my emotions get one way or the other. It happens sometimes, but I'm usually good at getting them right back in check. "I've got 10 good guys around me, and I've just got to go out, execute the offense and try to get the ball where it needs to be, if I get to play, and give us a good chance to win."

-- Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Today's lineup

Bucs