George Passes On Hawks, Leaves Friesz As No. 1 Man

The Seattle Seahawks thought Jeff George was the right quarterback for them. In trying to trade for him, the Seahawks let everybody know Rick Mirer was the wrong quarterback.

So they’ll finish the year with John Friesz as their starter and Mirer, whom they tried to trade to Atlanta for George, as their backup. After that, Mirer is expected to be traded.

“I would hope that people will try to realize what we’ve tried to do,” Seahawks vice president of football operations Randy Mueller said Tuesday after the trading deadline passed.

George spurned a Seahawks’ six-year, $30 million contract offer that included a $5 million signing bonus.

In Atlanta, George said: “I just felt it was too rushed.”

The attempt to trade Mirer, Seattle’s No. 1 choice in the 1993 draft, for George probably means the end for him here - after this season. San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia reportedly have called and inquired about trading for Mirer.

Coach Dennis Erickson was unhappy he didn’t get George, but said he is ready to move forward.

“All I know is I’m going to get ready to kick butt with John,” Erickson said. “I’m happy with that.”