Quarterbacks Look Like A Dead Issue For The Seahawks

Stan Gelbaugh, anyone?

Seattle’s quarterback derby between Rick Mirer and John Friesz ended in a dead heat in a deflating 30-20 loss to Denver on Sunday in the Kingdome.

Emphasis on dead. And on heat.

Dead symbolizes Seattle’s offense right now. The Hawks can’t run, can’t pass, can’t get off the field fast enough. Heat symbolizes one of the reasons Seattle couldn’t move the football as Denver brought more pressure than the Hawks’ offensive line could handle.

Mirer was pulled after an ineffective first half. Though he completed 7 of 11 passes, it was his hideous decision to try to squeeze an aerial between double coverage that finally forced coach Dennis Erickson to make a change. The Mirer-led Hawks produced an interception on Mirer’s aforementioned poor decision, five first downs and six points, three of those gift-wrapped after Seattle recovered a John Elway fumble at the Broncos’ 33.

Friesz was summoned for the second half and was only marginally more successful. He was 11 of 19 for 137 yards and one touchdown - Seattle’s first passing score in 13 quarters - and had the Hawks within reasonable striking range until he and Kevin Mawae bungled a snap in the fourth quarter and Denver recovered. Queue the credits, NBC.

There were unconfirmed reports of Gelbaugh, the third-string quarterback, poking voodoo dolls, wearing Nos. 17 and No. 3, behind the Gatorade bucket. Wait, maybe that was practice squad QB Jon Kitna.

“I felt that we weren’t generating anything, really, in the first half and I just wanted to give John a shot in there and see what transpired,” a frustrated Erickson said. “He made some things happen but, obviously, that wasn’t the answer and that wasn’t the difference.”

Sunday proved that Seattle’s offensive woes are more than quarterback deep. For one thing, those look like pin-sized holes being “opened up” by the offensive line. For another, those look like angry 280-pound defenders tracking Friesz’s and Mirer’s every move in drop-back situations.

The line is supposed to form a “pocket” of space in which the quarterback can operate. Seattle prefers an open concept: Everybody’s welcome in the pocket.

“We went from worse last week to bad this week,” said Mawae, referring to Seattle’s dreary 29-7 defeat last Sunday in San Diego. “We’re getting better, but it’s enough. The change (of quarterbacks) that’s a coach’s decision. The players can’t get all caught up in that. Regardless of who the quarterback is, you still have to go out and block your man and keep him out of the quarterback’s lap.”

For their offensive ineptitude, the Hawks will be rewarded with a week’s worth of speculation leading up to Kansas City’s visit to the Dome next Sunday. Erickson said he won’t name a starter until he reviews the videotape. (Be quick with that fast-forward button, Dennis.)

“I don’t really have an opinion on that,” responded Friesz, when asked if he should be the starter. “I don’t think either of us played well.”

Friesz understandably was dejected by his performance. But what probably hurt worse was that he could have grabbed by starting job by the throat and said, “Mine, mine, mine.”

Now, Erickson’s decision could go either way. The hunch here is Friesz gets the nod, but it’s a start that doesn’t come with the satisfaction of having won over the coach.

Mirer said he was mildly surprised when told by Erickson that he’d be watching the third quarter from the sideline. But even he acknowledged that he could hear restless fans chanting, “Friesz, Friesz, Friesz” as the first half came to a close.

“People asked for it (a change), and ye shall receive. It’s not fun, but it’s not new. We needed a spark and if John creates that spark, then it’s a great deal,” Mirer said. “What am I going to do - talk him (Erickson) out of it or wrestle him to the ground?”

Mirer might be on to something there - Erickson is vulnerable after injuring his knee last Sunday in San Diego. And this way, maybe Mirer could actually produce some points - 2-point takedown, 3-point nearfall, etc.

Of course, Mirer was joking about wrestling Erickson. On a more serious note, Mirer expressed dread about the upcoming few days.

“Now it’s a long week and a bunch of BS,” he said, imagining the considerable ink that will be spilled by the media on the quarterback situation.

With that, he awkwardly twisted his back as if he were still feeling the aftereffects of a Broncos helmet in his rib cage.

Or maybe Gelbaugh, needle in hand, had snuck off behind the Gatorade jug again.

, DataTimes