NFC West Quarterbacks: The Great Unknown

One of the more in vogue clichés heard in NFL circles is that it's a “quarterback driven league.”

Certainly in recent years, the quarterback spot has been a strong indicator of team success in the NFC West.

In the last two seasons, Kurt Warner helped the Cardinals rise above their division rivals.

Before that, Matt Hasselbeck took the Seahawks to the playoffs and one Super Bowl, while playing his way to the Pro Bowl.

Go back a further and the division was dominated by the “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams, with Warner and, later, Marc Bulger at the helm. Before that, the great 49er teams were lead by Joe Montana and Steve Young.

At this point, the NFC West seems to be in a state of transition that is mirrored by the status of the quarterback position.

How things will play out is anyone’s guess, but the team that emerges with the top quarterback may very well dominate the division over the next several seasons.

In Arizona , the retirement of Kurt Warner has ushered in the second iteration of the Matt Leinart Era.

To date, Leinart has been unimpressive as the signal caller for the Cardinals.

This should be a significant concern to Cardinal fans, given that Leinart’s struggles have occurred despite the presence of elite wide receivers such as Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin (now a Raven.)

To borrow a line from Sinatra, if Leinart can’t make it there, I doubt he can make it anywhere.

Option two  is Derrick Anderson.

Does anyone really think he’s the long term answer?

Seattle must face the down-slide of Matt Hasselbeck’s career.

In the past two years, he has only managed to start 22 games, during which he has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns.

Seattle was in a good position to consider a quarterback in the draft, but instead opted to trade for Charlie Whitehurst.

Is he really the long-term answer?

Obviously, Pete Carroll saw something he liked in Whitehurst, who has not played a regular season game in the NFL.

I’d imagine that the most common reaction among Hawks fans was “really?” and “man, I hope they’re right about this guy.”

Only time will tell.

In San Francisco, it’s the last stand of Alex Smith.

To date, his performance has been—to be kind—pedestrian.

However, a Bay Area optimist would retort that Smith has been hindered by poor receivers and a lack of continuity at the offensive coordinator spot.

In that regard, this year is the real test.

Smith finally has a returning OC, and has emerging stars in Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree to target.

If his production does not improve dramatically, Alex can only say, “its not you, its me.”

Finally, in St. Louis , Rams fans are eagerly awaiting the debut of Sam Bradford.

Some fear that Bradford, who is coming off a significant shoulder injury, will face a barrage of defensive lineman playing for the Rams.

That assessment is questionable, as the Rams offensive line has more talent than most realize.

A greater concern is the lack of an established receiving corps.

Will Donnie Avery, Laurent Robinson and rookie Mardy Gilyard be enough?

There will likely be growing pains, but if Bradford can survive his trial by fire, the Rams will be set at the QB spot for years.

So what’s the final verdict?

Well, as a Magic 8 Ball might say, “outlook uncertain,” “ask again later.”

However, two or three years from now, we may look back at the 2010 season as one that laid the groundwork for the future of the NFC West.

It all starts behind the center.