Joe says it's time to show more repect to the Bucs' Warrior in Chief.

Has a quarterback who almost single-handedly turned a franchise around ever taken so much grief from management and fans?

Meet Jeff Garcia. The man who saved Jon Gruden’s job.

Joe constantly encounters Bucs fans who think Garcia is a fragile, old wussy just one hit from retirement. Some loons even suggest Brian Griese might be a better QB for the Bucs right now.

Joe is astounded by the sheer stupidity and lack of loyalty shown by so many. Simply put, Garcia is the team leader and the playmaker on an offense woefully lacking big-play talent.

So here comes Jeff for opening day. His pinky is sore and he didn’t play much in preaseason.  Oooh. That should really slow him down.

The take here is that Garcia will be out there Sunday skillfully ducking and dodging the pass rush and running for his life when he has to, making plays few in this league could make, even at 38 years old. He’ll connect deep a few times and move the chains, and manage to avoid the stupid throws that hurt so much on the road.

He’ll lead the Bucs to victory.

Garcia’s got the total respect of his teammates. Let’s hope fans and Bucs management get back on that bandwagon.