Rookie QB Shaun King's fortunes are looking up
At the conclusion of Thursday's Fan Chat with Buccaneer CB Donnie Abraham, online fans submitted questions for the next Player of the Week, QB Shaun King. King, who has led the Bucs to consecutive victories in his first two NFL starts, sat down on Saturday after the team's final walk-through to answer 20 questions selected from those submissions. Fans will get the opportunity to ask King questions directly on Thursday, December 23 at 5:00 p.m. when he appears as a guest on Buccaneers.com's third live chat session.
(Questions below are not necessarily worded exactly as they were submitted)
Q: With the Bucs getting closer to playoff contention, how do you handle the pressures? You seem so levelheaded.
A: I was raised with a strong belief in the Lord, and I believe all things are possible. When I step out there on the field, it's just football.
Q: Shaun, why do you think you are having the early success that so few QBs have?
A: I have a lot of great players around me. There's 11 of us out there making plays.
Q: Where does your composure come from? You're a rock.
A: Like I said, this is just football. You're going to make mistakes. I have faith in the abilities the Lord has given me.
Q: Shaun, what's your relationship with Trent Dilfer been like since you became the starter?
A: Trent has been great. He was out there winning games before he got hurt, and now he's doing what he can to help us win.
Q: Shaun, do you think you have a chance to lead the Bucs to a Super Bowl as a rookie?
A: We're not looking that far down the road yet. We just want to beat the Raiders.
Q: Before you got the starting job, you were a candidate to go to NFL Europe next spring? Would you have wanted to go?
A: It was never discussed.
Q: Why do you think all of the Florida colleges passed you by?
A: I don't know, but it all worked out for the best. I viewed going to Tulane as a challenge to help turn a program around, and as a chance to play right away.
Q: Shaun, the 30-yard pass you threw to Reidel was as pretty as I've ever seen. Do you consider that a great pass, or was it an everyday throw for you?
A: It was a great catch and a great play. We ran a seam route straight up the field. That's just one of the many passes you have to be able to make in the NFL.
Q: Shaun, have you noticed an increase in the offense's confidence level since you became a starter?
A: I think everyone on our offense has a lot of confidence in their own ability to get the job done. We're confident in the huddle that we can make plays.
Q: Is playing in the pros everything you thought it would be?
A: So far, it's been great. There's something new to learn every week, so it's probably too early for me to answer that question.
Q: Shaun, did you ever think you would get to play this season?
A: I wasn't sure how long it would take to get an opportunity to play. I just wanted to be ready for it when it came?
Q: Have you had to change your strategic thinking from the college level to the pros?
A: We ran a pro-set type of offense at Tulane, and I think staying in college for four years really helped prepare me for the pros. Of course, the goal in every game is the same, college or pros.
Q: Do you ever go back to Gibbs High School to see your old coaches and friends?
A: Yes, in fact I've started a scholarship program there. It's great being able to play in my hometown.
Q: What do you think the Bucs should look for in the draft next year?
A: I'll leave that up to the personnel department and the coaches. We think we have a good enough team this year to do some damage.
Q: You ran for a lot of yards in college. Do you think we'll see you scrambling a lot for the Buccaneers?
A: When I drop back, I want to pass the ball. I'm not looking to run. Hopefully, when I have to, I'll be able to make plays, but that's not our goal back there.
Q: Do any of the Buccaneer veterans give the rookies a hard time?
A: Everybody is very friendly!
Q: I know you wanted to play for the Bucs, your hometown team, but who did you thing you were going to end up with before the draft?
A: I thought about what a great situation it would be to be able to play for the Bucs, but I really wasn't expecting it to be one team or another.
Q: Does Oakland's defense scare you?
A: They have a very good defense with a lot of playmakers, but we think we can make plays and win the game.
Q: Some people thought you were too short to be a successful quarterback in the NFL. Do you have trouble seeing over the offensive linemen.
A: No. You can't measure the will to win with a ruler.
Q: Did starting your first game on Monday night make you nervous?
A: I was just excited. That kind of situation is what you want as a competitor.
