King is ready at QB to face Steelers

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Shaun King is ready if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need him.
The fourth-year quarterback will make his first start in nearly two seasons if a severe lower back bruise prevents Brad Johnson, the NFC's top-rated passer, from playing tonight against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Coach Jon Gruden wouldn't say Sunday who'll be his QB, even though Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South title when New Orleans lost to Cincinnati.
"Nothing's really changed in terms of what we said all week. If Brad feels like he can go, we'll consider going with him," Gruden said after a light workout. "But right now, it's up in the air."
King took nearly all of the snaps in practice and is 15-9 in 24 career starts, though none has come since a first-round loss to Philadelphia in the 2000 playoffs.
He has appeared in two games this year, completing the only pass he's thrown for 7 yards to set up a game-winning field goal at Carolina on Oct. 27.
The final decision
Gruden said a final determination on Johnson's availability will be made after he meets with the quarterback and later has a chance to watch Johnson work out.
The coach said King, who began the season as the No. 3 quarterback, has had a good week of practice and is prepared to play.
King made his first pro start as a rookie in 1999 and he led Tampa Bay to the NFC championship game that season. He was 10-6 in his first full season as a starter two years ago, but lost his job when Johnson signed with the Bucs as a free agent in 2001.
"The thing is, I just have to go out -- if I have to play -- and do what it takes for us to win. Fortunately for me, I've been here and I've kind of gotten to learn through Brad. I've paid attention to the things that have happened, and hopefully I'll be able to put those in play," King said.
"I know what to expect. I understand the magnitude of the situation because I've been there before."
Steelers' defense improves
Pittsburgh's defense has limited opponents to a total of 178 yards in the past two games, climbing to No. 3 in the NFL rankings.
The Steelers sacked Johnson 10 times in a 17-10 victory over the Bucs last season, so one of the keys figures to be whether Tampa Bay's offensive line can do a better job of protecting its quarterback.
King is not a newcomer to big games. Still, Gruden stressed that previous experience only means so much in the NFL.
"It's comforting. 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 in the last two years. That's a tall order against a defense like this," Gruden said.
"Certainly he's capable. He's proven that. I'd be surprised if he does not play really well if he's the guy. ... We've got to protect him, we've got to play well around him. But I'm confident in his ability to manage this game."
While the Bucs (11-3) clinched the NFC South title when New Orleans lost, they remain in the running for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Steelers' scenario
The Steelers (8-5-1) can win the AFC North title by winning one of their remaining two games.
Johnson has thrown 15 touchdown passes and just one interception in his last six games. The Bucs are 1-0 without him, beating Carolina 12-9 with Rob Johnson leading the team until King replaced him for one play -- the short completion that set up Martin Gramatica's game-winning field goal.
King also relieved Brad Johnson late in the fourth quarter of a lopsided victory over Atlanta two weeks ago.
Gruden said he won't change much if King's the starter, instead of Johnson.
"We've got to gear our game plan to this defense," the coach said. "Let's be honest. You can't go out there and do what he does well. You've got to do things that you feel like you can get done against the Pittsburgh Steelers."