Garcia is just what the doctor ordered for Detroit's ailing offense.(NFL)

It wasn't an offensive explosion that carried Detroit past Cleveland on Sunday, but it was enough to make Lions fans smile. The Joey Harrington era is over, and Jeff Garcia provided plenty of glimpses of why Detroit will be a much better team with him under center. Forget about last year, when

Garcia's one-year tenure in Cleveland fell flat. There were off-field distractions, injuries to key players and the exposure to an offensive system that required him to learn an entirely new play-calling language he never mastered. His move to Detroit represented a return to his beloved West Coast offense, and he is far better equipped to run it than Harrington ever was.

Seven weeks after breaking his leg, there was Garcia on fourth-and-I, dropping back, finding nobody open, pulling the ball down and scampering around right end for the game's only offensive touchdown. It was vintage Garcia--the 24th rushing touchdown of his NFL career. Harrington, in his fourth season, has yet to run for one.

Garcia's ability to scramble is huge. When Harrington's protection broke down, the play usually was dead. Garcia has made a living off such situations. He can extend a play by running around until coverage breaks ...