TOKYO - Shaun King will be back under center against the Jets, but more importantly, his confidence is returning.
King, expected to relieve starter Brad Johnson after one series in Saturday's American Bowl, will make his first appearance at quarterback for the Bucs since his poor play in a 17-7 loss to the Steelers in December.
Playing before a Monday Night Football audience, King completed 9 of 26 passes for 73 yards, and his second attempt was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
"I think it's important I go out and create a comfort level with coaches and everybody," he said today. "If, God forbid, something was to happen to Brad, we're in good hands. I fully believe it; I think everybody ... believes it."
With five preseason games King will get valuable repetitions he has lacked. His start against the Steelers was his first in nearly two years in a regular-season game. He said he has put that performance behind him.
"I feel I'm going to go out and do an awesome job Saturday," King said. "If I get a chance to play this year, I'm going to do an awesome job."
THE FLASHLIGHT: Remember the Bucs-Jets game in 2000? Keyshawn Johnson vs. Wayne Chrebet. The spotlight and the flashlight. Chrebet caught the winning touchdown on a halfback pass from Curtis Martin after Johnson criticized him?
Well, the New York media hasn't forgotten. The American Bowl will be the first time Johnson and the Jets have played since that game. Since then Johnson has won a Super Bowl ring and Chrebet has virtually disappeared from the Jets offense.
"They asked me why he wasn't catching as many balls since I left, and I said, "It's tough,"' Johnson said. "Sometimes it doesn't always work that way. That's not for me to figure out, that's for you guys to figure out.
"I'm still kicking. I'm making about $6-million a year, I'm starting for a world championship team, I have no complaints."
PLENTY OF ROOM: The Bucs brought 200 people, including more than 90 players, on the chartered Japan Airlines 747 to Tokyo. But it didn't feel like a big crowd.
"We put the cheerleaders and that group upstairs. Then we put the coaches and everybody as far forward as we could," general manager Rich McKay said. "And then there was still a bunch of business class seats that went on seniority. Those with the least seniority sat in the back, but I still think they each got three seats to themselves."
The Bucs made sleeping pills available for players, coaches and front office personnel who wanted them on the 15-hour trip.
GLAZER DENIALS: Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer and his family declined comment on reports they had reached an agreement to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers, and vice president Joel Glazer reiterated that the Bucs were not for sale. "It's completely untrue," he said.
INJURIES: Cornerback Ronde Barber, who is resting his surgically repaired right knee, will not play Saturday. Nickelback Corey Ivy is expected to start for Barber. ... Receiver Keenan McCardell did not practice today and it's unlikely he will play. ... Linebacker Justin Smith, who has missed a week of practice, took reps with the first-team defense. He is expected to start at weakside linebacker in place of Derrick Brooks, who did not make the trip. Brooks is in Pensacola attending to his mother, who is in stable condition after a mild heart attack.
QUOTABLE: "Actually, (Chris Simms) is going with me. I get to hang with the blond bombshell. All the women are going to want him, he's going to be like Beckham."
- Keyshawn Johnson, on a planned shopping excursion with the rookie QB.
