By Mike Kahn
CBS SportsLine Executive Editor
Nov. 24, 1998

SEATTLE -- Scapegoats come in a variety in shapes and sizes. This week in the home of the Seattle Seahawks, it turned out to be 6-3, 213-pound quarterback Warren Moon, who just happens to be the third most prolific passer in NFL history.

Monday

Warren Moon has fallen from grace in Seattle. (Allsport)

morning, the 42-year-old Moon strolled over to Jon Kitna, 16 years his junior, and informed him that he was handing over the reins as the starter for the woefully underachieving Seahawks.

"I don't necessarily agree with the move, but I understand where they're coming from," Moon said. "I'll prepare to play like I would any other week. I just want us to start winning."

AT 5-6, THE SEAHAWKS ARE FALLING apart. New owner Paul Allen has spent tens of millions of dollars over the past two years collecting talent for coach Dennis Erickson, who was 23-25 coming into this season. And they're still shy of the .500 mark. Seems like it doesn't matter whether Erickson is loaded with talent like he is now, or has very few skilled players like he did three years ago.

It's obvious watching the Seahawks that the coaching staff just isn't capable of making adjustments like the other teams in the league. Their indecisiveness under times of duress have come down on the head of Moon. He has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in history, and the Seahawks led the NFL in passing offense last year.

They are 27th in offense this season. Erickson became immersed in trying to establish the 'Hawks as a running team with the addition of Ricky Watters, and it killed the offensive chemistry of a year ago.

After opening the season with three easy wins against the NFC East -- Philadelphia, Washington and Arizona -- they have been 2-6. The two victories have been over dysfunctional Kansas City and San Diego squads that are in even worse condition than Seattle.

So why the move from Moon to Kitna?

"We're just looking for a spark and we hope Jon can provide it," Erickson said. "It's not Warren's fault by any means. In this business, it's either the quarterback or the coach."

IN THIS CASE, IT'S A little of both. At 42, Moon isn't what he used to be and never has been a big-time winner, anyway. But the front office went out of its way to surround him with talent this year -- in what should have been a formula for success.

Instead, it now appears they are all but giving up on this season. Kitna has been exceptional during the exhibition season. Seattle now figures they've got five remaining games to see if he's capable of competing at this level.

As for Moon, it could go either way. Kitna could be a disaster Sunday against the Tennessee Oilers, and Moon could come in and rally the Seahawks. That's what the Seahawks did last season. If that's not the case, and Kitna experiences a modicum of success, Moon might be finished. They didn't make the playoffs last season because special teams killed them. That problem was solved with the hiring of assistant head coach Pete Rodriguez.

What's next?

Replacing Moon with Kitna is not the answer. In fact, Kitna appeared intimidated by Moon presenting him with the word. "I was a little uncomfortable when he told me because I don't feel like he's the problem," Kitna said.

The 'Hawks are on a fishing expedition, and it's coming from the front office.

Against the wind, the front office stuck with Erickson this season. That has not proven to be a prudent move. He was a very bright offensive mind in college. It hasn't worked in the NFL, if only because he stuck with his college cronies and none of them have been capable of improving a team with a preponderance of talented players.

THERE WOULD BE NO POINT IN FIRING ERICKSON now. With one year left on Erickson's contract, Allen will dip into his loaded cookie jar and pay off Erickson, with hopes of landing Mike Holmgren or George Seifert in the dual role of general manager/coach. They also could go after a highly-regarded assistant like Gary Kubiak of the Broncos.

There's no getting around the impact Jon Gruden has made in Oakland and Chan Gailey in Dallas. They both showed how quickly a former assistant can come in and turn a team around with a fresh approach.

Kitna replacing Moon isn't the answer. The offensive concept has been a mess from the beginning. The first three games were just an aberration, and the lack of confidence and consistency became more apparent in each ensuing game. It's a coaching problem not a quarterback problem.

Too bad Moon has to suffer the consequences of coaching futility. Erickson had no choice. And in all honesty, maybe Kitna can play. But can he change the chemistry of an entire team going south?

He's got about the same chance of doing that as the man in the Moon.