2010 NFL Free Agency: 10 Questions in the NFC West

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The NFC West is going through some change with some of its teams especially in Seattle, where there is a new head coach and front office, and also in Arizona who have a brand new starting quarterback.

With many other questions surrounding Seattle, St. Louis, San Francisco and Arizona this time of the offseason is where many questions can get answers or more questions are created based on newer possibilities for change.

The following are 10 questions that are not in any particular order facing the NFC West division going into free agency and April's NFL Draft.

1. Can Matt Leinart Lead the Cardinals Now That Kurt Warner Has Retired?

Leinart came to Arizona as the future franchise quarterback of the team, but when he started off slowly, questions arose about his ability to lead and be a NFL quarterback.

Then coach Ken Whisenhunt decided he needed to bring in veteran quarterback Kurt Warner, which worked out to the tune of a Super Bowl appearance, but more improtant Warner served as a mentor to Leinart.

Now it is Leinart time to show the NFL that not only he is deserving to be a starter in this league, but that Warner was the perfect mentor to prepare the young quarterback for his turn as a starter.

Are the 49ers Ready to Overtake the Cardinals for the Division Title?

The Cardinals have not finished under .500 in the three season with Whisenhunt as coach, and they have also won the NFC West for the past two seasons.

Now that Kurt Warner is retired, 2010 may be the year that the 49ers reclaim the division title they have not had since 2002.

Coach Mike Singletary has had almost a full season and a half to implement his system and style of coaching and 2010 might be the year the 49ers return to the playoffs.

With a ton of talent now on the roster compared to two seasons ago, this team only gets better and will push the Cardinals in 2010 for the title.

Has 49ers Quarterback Alex Smith Really Turned the Corner?

It took Smith, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, 2007 through the first part of the 2009 season to get back into the starting role, and he performed better than everyone could have imagined.

The 49ers continue to add talent around Smith on offense and look for more protection with the possibility of another lineman with one of the 49ers' two-first round picks.

Smith has faced a ton of adversity and even though he may have shed the 'bust' label, he still needs a strong 2010 season for the 49ers to make a run at the divisional title.

Three-times a Charm? Can Pete Carroll Succeed in the NFL?

In 1994, Carroll coached the Jets to a 6-10 record in only one season as head coach.

Then from 1997-1999 he coached the Patriots to a combined 27-21 record making the playoffs in two of those three years, but that was not enough in the eyes of the Patriots' front office.

Carroll went to USC and found tremendous success and he had one of the most impressive runs at head coach in the NCAA's history.

Now Carroll comes back to the NFL and lands in Seattle, who are in the process of a team makeover.

Will Carroll be able to translate his college success into the NFL?

Only time will tell, but so far in the offseason, the Seahawks have been very quiet.

With Anquan Boldin Gone, Who Becomes the Cardinals New No. 2 Receiver?

Steve Breaston had over 1,000 yards receiving in 2008, but had just over 700 yards in 2009.

Early Doucet is more in the mold of Boldin physically and he did come on really strong in the post-season while Boldin was down with an injury.

One of these two will be playing opposite of Larry Fitzgerald, and Breaston may have the upper hand, but if Doucet has a strong preseason then that could change come opening day of the regular season.

Does Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall Make Sense in Seattle?

Rumors are circulating that Marshall is being targeted by Seattle, who has two-first round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Marshall would bring big-play ability to the Seahawks' offense, but is his other issues worth giving up the chance to use two first round picks on players that will help in the Seahawks' future?

The Broncos may want the No. 6 overall pick in this trade, but the Seahawks may only want to give up the No. 14 pick.

Also, is Marshall worth it when there are bigger needs at offensive tackle, safety, running back, and finding a future quarterback to groom under Matt Hasselbeck.

This is a very interesting scenario that fans will be looking forward to over the next month before the draft.

Do the Rams Go QB or DL With the No. 1 Overall Pick?

Future franchise quarterback or instant impact defensive lineman?

What a choice facing the Rams' brass, and this is the type of decision that could define the Rams for the next decade.

Think of what happened to the Cleveland Browns when they came back in 1999 with the No. 1 overall pick and chose Tim Couch. They are still in a rebuilding 11 years later.

A No. 1 overall pick is truly "The Bang or Bust" pick every year in the NFL Draft and the Rams are on the clock now.

Who Do the 49ers Pick with Their Two-First Rounders?

The 49ers have picks at Nos. 13 and 17.

They can make an immediate impact for themselves with these picks, if they choose to use them both and not trade one away.

The common trend in mocks for the 49ers are picking an offensive lineman and a defensive back.

One of the more important issues with owning two pick in the first round is the amount of money involved in signed both, but the 49ers have it much easier than the Seahawks.

Which will be explained in the next slide...

Who do the Seahawks pick With Each of Their Two-First Rounders?

The Seahawks have picks No. 6 and 14.

For the Seahawks the projections are more of a mixed bag that may include: quarterback, offensive lineman, safety, cornerback and running back.

Again the amount of money a No. 6 and 14 pick will entail is a big deal right now even though there will be no salary cap, but the Seahawks need to choose wisely because in their current state of rebuilding, these picks are make or break for the future of the team.