Erickson Puts Faith In Friesz Mirer Demoted As Trade Talks Continue

The Seattle Seahawks may be ready to trade Rick Mirer to the Atlanta Falcons for suspended Jeff George.

For the first time, coach Dennis Erickson acknowledged Wednesday the Seahawks are talking to the Falcons about a potential one-for-one trade of starting quarterbacks.

“We’re trying to better our football team right now,” Erickson said.

Asked if such a trade could be made this week, Erickson replied, “I don’t know. I couldn’t answer that.”

The NFL trading deadline is Oct. 8.

Erickson made his comments on the day he announced the mistake-prone Mirer would be replaced as a starter by John Friesz when the Seahawks (1-4) play Sunday in Miami (3-1). Mirer threw a career-worst four interceptions and lost a fumble in a 31-10 loss to Green Bay at home last Sunday.

“If we have productivity and I see us moving offensively and moving the ball and doing some things, then I won’t change the quarterback the rest of the year,” Erickson said of the switch.

Mirer will be Friesz’s backup in Miami, Erickson said. Erickson was evasive when asked if he thought the Seahawks would make the deal for George.

“I don’t know what the possibility is,” he said. “All I can tell you is we’ve investigated it and that’s where we are right now. I’m not saying that it won’t happen and I’m not saying that it will happen.”

Last week, Erickson said the Seahawks weren’t interested in George. That was before Mirer’s five turnovers Sunday.

“We felt we needed to investigate to make ourselves better, basically,” Erickson said. “So we looked into it. We’re trying to get better. That’s what it’s all about.”

Mirer, 26, said he learned of his demotion Wednesday morning and didn’t have much information about his possible trade.

“There’s been a lot of talk going on, but I’m not getting any indication that anybody wants to tell me anything for sure,” he said. “That’s all I ask. To be upfront with and dealt with in a respectful manner.”

Because of the NFL’s salary cap, the numbers of a Mirer-for-George trade won’t work unless George is willing to restructure his one-year, $3.64 million deal and make a commitment to Seattle beyond this season.

Mirer, in his fourth season in Seattle, is earning $2.18 million this season.

Then there’s the problem of George’s personality. He is under suspension for a sideline tirade two weeks ago that was directed at Atlanta coach June Jones.

Erickson shrugged when asked about George’s reputation as a coach killer.

“I really haven’t had much time to spend time on that,” the second-year coach said. “I’m trying to get ready for Sunday.”

The Mirer-for-George trade apparently will be made - or not made - in Los Angeles, where a meeting reportedly was taking place between George, agents Leigh Steinberg and Marvin Demoff, Seahawks vice president of football operations Randy Mueller and Falcons vice president of player personnel Ken Herock. Steinberg represents George and Demoff is Mirer’s agent.