Spencer Rattler said he has a ton of texts that he still needs to respond to but, understandably, the New Orleans Saints' rookie quarterback hasn't yet had the time.

Preparing for his first NFL start – at noon Sunday in the Caesars Superdome, when the Saints (2-3) face Tampa Bay (3-2) in their second NFC South game this season – has been consuming.

The process began Tuesday morning, when he was informed he'd be the starter after Derek Carr suffered an oblique injury Monday night against Kansas City.

"It was exciting," Rattler said. "They have confidence in me, but I love our group. We've got so many talented dudes that I can lean on and I don't have to do too much, just facilitate the ball to them.

"I spoke to (offensive coordinator) Klint (Kubiak) about it. Klint said, hey, let's have a great week, let's prepare at a high level, put a great plan together. It was brief and short and we got to work, so that was good."

The unanimous belief is that Rattler, the first of the Saints' three fifth-round picks (No. 150 overall), possesses the requisite persona for the job.

"He's got it. He's got some swag, man," Kubiak said. "He's got a natural easiness about him, he's comfortable in his own skin."

That aside, Kubiak said a wet-blanket personality would be just as good if there's production from the position. And New Orleans, which has lost three straight games, knows the Buccaneers grudgingly will allow production from the rookie.

"They're such a good defense, talented and aggressive," Kubiak said. "But he won't be going at it alone. It's a team game."

And the team has rallied around Rattler, who completed 20 of 38 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown, and ran seven times for 26 yards and a touchdown in preseason.

"We're super excited for him," receiver Rashid Shaheed said. "We feel like he has prepared really well for this moment and we know he's ready for it. He has played in big games in his career and we're excited to watch him spin it.

"I see how he's super locked in, laser focused. He pays attention to detail – he's always asking questions in meetings and he's just super locked in. And that's what you've got to be as a rookie quarterback.

"We've all got to be locked in as an offense so we can come out and play fast for him."

New Orleans won't be paring so much as catering offensively.

"Something I love about Klint and our offensive staff is, we tailor it to who's playing," Rattler said. "I like that a lot, feel confident about it and we've had a great week so far.

"Going against the 1s every day on scout team – I know I'm not getting hit or this and that, but those are full-speed reps and I took total advantage of them because that's one of the best defenses in the league and that's going to prepare you for whenever you have your shot."

"The great thing about him and Jake (Haener), both, is they're very intelligent guys," Kubiak said. "They've really grinded through these first four weeks, staying involved in the gameplan, staying really heavily involved.

"(Quarterbacks) coach (Andrew) Janocko does a phenomenal job of getting with them early and late, so I don't feel like we're having to dumb it down for him, at all. I think he's fully capable of handling a full game plan."

Shaheed, who has averaged 57.3 yards per catch on his three touchdown receptions this season, likes what this week's game plan presents.

"I feel like this game plan is going to allow him to go out and just play," Shaheed said. "We know that they're going to come out and throw a lot of different reads for him and try to throw him off his game, but we know he's super confident and that's kind of what carries his game, is his confidence. Smart player, and he's going to play well."

Kubiak said the rookie is a respected teammate whose humility and work ethic have shone, and his awareness has been top notch.

"His feel in the pocket around him," Kubiak said. "Just feeling all five eligibles. Things you can't coach."

Perhaps best of all for the Saints is that Rattler hasn't appeared to be overwhelmed by the opportunity.

"You've got to be fearless as a quarterback," Rattler said. "I think that's the No. 1 key you've got to have."