Garcia's playmaking ability instrumental in win

By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CLEVELAND -- Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia will never be called patient in the pocket, but he's willing to be patient with his performance.
Garcia was content to throw short passes for the first half of Sunday's win over the Ravens, while letting the running game wear down Baltimore's defense.
"Sometimes you have to grind it out," Garcia said. "The plays might not be there in the first half, but if you get the ball out of your hand and stay patient, eventually good things will happen."
Unlike his predecessor, Tim Couch, Garcia delivered the ball quickly and found ways to buy time in -- and out of -- the pocket. That playmaking ability led to his third-quarter touchdown throw to Quincy Morgan, and his 4-yard TD scramble that put the game away in the fourth.
Finds rhythm
"You are talking about a Pro-Bowler," said Ravens coach Brian Billick. "You can see the ways he keeps plays alive. That is Jeff's game and he did a magnificent job on both of the big plays."
Garcia complained in the preseason that he wasn't getting enough plays in game situations. The offense looked out of sync most of the first half Sunday, but Garcia seemed to find his rhythm as the game went on.
"Baltimore has a heck of a defense," Browns coach Butch Davis said. "You are not going to go out there and rip up and down the field and get 500 yards of offense. You have to pick and choose and take advantage of the opportunities when they present themselves. Jeff did that."
Garcia finished 15-of-24 for 180 yards, but 139 of those yards came in the second half. Much of that was due to better protection from the offensive line.
"The line did a great job in the second half giving me time," Garcia, a Pro Bowl quarterback with the 49ers, said. "They allowed routes to develop and gave me a chance to make some plays downfield."
Garcia was quick to emphasize that it was just one game, but the fact that it came against one of the league's top defenses give Cleveland fans reason for hope after five frustrating years with Couch.
Are the Browns better with Garcia?
He'll wait
"I couldn't answer that question," said Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who had a game-high 13 tackles and one sack. "Suppose they go 1-15? Then I'll have stuck my foot in my mouth."
Barring injury, Garcia sees no reason the Browns can't make a run at the playoffs. His first game in Cleveland was a good one, and he expects many more.
"So many positive things happened this weekend," Garcia, who signed with Cleveland in the off-season, said. "Like I've said before, this is a rebirth for me. It's a rejuvenation for me. I'm excited to step out on the field and represent the Cleveland Browns.
"Hopefully this is just the start of big things to come."
scalzo@vindy.com