King Gets A Chance To Impress The Tampa Tribune, published 29 December 2003 Jon Gruden told backup QB Shaun King before the start of Sunday's game he would get a chance to play. That's all King has wanted the last three seasons. King started warming up on the sideline after starting QB Brad Johnson threw his third interception, and entered with 9:24 remaining in the third quarter. In his first series, King guided the Bucs on a 49-yard drive, which culminated in K Martin Gramatica's 33-yard field goal. King later engineered a 71-yard scoring drive, capped by a 14- yard touchdown pass to RB Aaron Stecker. It was King's first touchdown pass since Dec. 24, 2000, against Green Bay. ``He has worked hard and he deserved an opportunity to go out and play a little bit,'' Gruden said. ``We've had a lot of tight games this season, [so] it's been hard to get him in there. I think he showed some of the things he's capable of doing.'' King, who finished 11 of 15 for 106 yards, one touchdown and one interception, becomes a free agent for the second consecutive year when the NFL season ends. From his performances in the preseason and his brief appearances in the regular season, he thinks he has done enough to open some eyes in the league. ``I think I've matured a lot, both physically and mentally, on the field and off the field,'' King said. ``I'm ready to go out and take the reins of someone's franchise and lead them to a Super Bowl.'' The future was now Rookie DE Dewayne White waited in the tunnel before the game with the rest of the starting defense when his name was announced over the loudspeaker. ``I didn't know when I was supposed to go, so I stood there for a while,'' White said. White might want to get used to the duties that come with being a starter. He earned his first start after Greg Spires was placed on injured reserve and became the first Bucs rookie to start on the defensive line since Regan Upshaw in 1996. ``I was a little anxious. I had a lot of emotions running through me,'' said White, who had five tackles. ``Once I got out there and got about a series or two in, I got comfortable.'' WR Edell Shepherd, another young player with a promising future, found his comfort zone in his first game with significant playing time. Shepherd caught three consecutive passes from Johnson in the first quarter, picking up first downs on two. ``I knew once I got the opportunity to play I could do well,'' said Shepherd, who tied for the team lead with four receptions for 38 yards. ``I got an opportunity [Sunday] to touch a few balls and get a few blocks here and there and just play a little bit. Hopefully I did well enough so they have some confidence in me going into the offseason.'' Hit show John Lynch proved he's still one of the hardest hitters in the league. The five-time Pro Bowler leveled Tennessee's Justin McCareins after a first-quarter incompletion. The hit gave the starting wide receiver a mild concussion and, according to Gruden, ``woke up both sidelines.'' Tennessee fans booed Lynch, and several Titans players got in his face after the play. ``I appreciate his teammates sticking up for him,'' Lynch said. ``What I tried to convey to them after they had all chilled out a bit was it is just football.'' Titans coach Jeff Fisher defended Lynch's hit after the game. ``John's not a dirty player,'' Fisher said. ``He is a Pro Bowl safety. That was just one of those things.'' Lynch left the game near the end of the second quarter with a recurrence of his right shoulder stinger and was replaced by David Gibson. Titans fans cheered Lynch's departure. Injury update Anthony McFarland limped off the field in the first quarter with a sprained left ankle and did not return. He was replaced by Chartric Darby. Warren Sapp left the field in the third with a left ankle sprain. Cleveland Pinkney replaced him for several plays, but Sapp returned later in the quarter.