By Joe Milicia
The Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio - If the Cleveland Browns need to run the ball to succeed on offense, so be it, quarterback Jeff Garcia says.

"I want to do whatever it takes to win football games," he said Wednesday.

The Browns averaged 5.3 yards per carry in their first preseason game, but their passing game wasn't nearly as efficient.

Garcia, who has thrown for more than 3,000 yards three times, said the Browns offense needs to establish an identity, and handing off to running backs Lee Suggs and William Green is fine with him.

"If it means pounding the football, then there are certain things through the passing game that we can create because of that."

The former 49ers quarterback said he's still adjusting to a new offense in his first training camp with the Browns. He's taken more repetitions in practice recently and said he expects to be up to speed by the Sept. 12 opener against Baltimore.

"There are certain things that I am trying to adapt to," he said. "There are certain things that this offense needs to adapt to me as far as what I bring to the table."

Garcia said he gives the Browns a different look, being able to move around in the pocket and take pressure off the offensive line.

But even though Browns coach Butch Davis still is tinkering with the offensive line - Paul Zukauskas is now the third player to start at left guard - Garcia said he isn't looking to do more scrambling than in the past.

At 34, he can't really afford to. He missed three games with injuries last season. He hurt his back lifting weights before training camp and never returned to full strength during his least productive season since 1999.

"As far as I am concerned they are going to do the best possible job in front of me," Garcia said. "I have confidence in them to step it up and do what they need to do."

Garcia also said he brings intensity to the Browns. Rookie tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. commented on Tuesday that the Browns need more fire.

Garcia said maybe Winslow has a point.

"He is the type of player that plays with an awful lot of emotion. ... if the team can get anywhere close to matching that intensity level it would be a team that flies around and plays full speed every single down," Garcia said.

"Kellen brings a certain flavor to the team. If players can look and react toward it instead of being pushed away from it, I think it will be a positive thing for this team."

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