Questioning Quarterbacks In The NFC West

No more meaningless football! Bring on the regular season!

For the most part, week 4 of the preaseason was extremely uneventful. Many fans stayed home because they knew their favorite players would likely see little to no game action.

With starters resting comfortably on the sidelines, second and third team players battled it out on the field tooth and nail in hopes of locking down a spot on the roster.

The NFC West was hit hard this off-season/pre-season, hit by retirements, trades, free-agency and injuries. When a star is lost, a new star is born.

With new stars, come new questions.

Let's begin Questions, Questions, They All Have Quarterback Questions: NFC West Edition

Can Alex Smith Lead The Niners to The Playoffs?

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OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 28: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL preseason game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on August 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Heading into the 2005 NFL draft, Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers were neck and neck as to who would be the better NFL quarterback. The results of the draft would lead you to believe otherwise.

Smith was taken number 1 and Rodgers dropped all the way down to Green Bay at 21.

After 5 seasons in the league, for both Smith and Rodgers, it seems as they've had a reversal of fortunes.

Rodgers studied meticulously under Brett Favre for 3 seasons. Smith has had 5 different offensive coordinators in 5 years. 

Rodgers, by some, is thought to be in the leagues top 3 QB's. Smith would be lucky to crack the top 15.

The coming season will be the first time Alex Smith will work back to back seasons with the same OC. His name? Jimmy Raye. 

In 2010, Smith hopes to shed the label of draft bust while leading his team to it's first playoff berth since 2002.

Does Matt Leinart Have Any College Eligabilty Left?

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Matt Leinart #7 of the Arizona Cardinals watches from the sidelines during preseason NFL game against the Washington Redskins at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Car

No NFC West team lost more in the offseason than the Arizona Cardinals.

When Kurt Warner retired and took his talents to Dancing with the Stars, it left a HUGE hole at QB. 

After being drafted in the 1st round back in 2006, the thought was that Matt Leinart would be Warner's heir apparent. Labeled as Dennis Green's guy, Leinart has failed to show he can play QB in the NFL and has quickly fallen out of favor with management. His future with the Cardinals is up in the air.

Veteran QB Derek Anderson was picked up during the offseason after he was released by the Browns. Solid play during the preseason has pushed him to the top of the depth chart as he will be the guy come week 1. 

The Arizona coaching staff has a lot to worry about on the offensive side of the ball. The run game was terrible in 2009, finishing 28th in the league. If they can improve on that mark in 2010, it will make Derek Anderson's life a whole lot easier under center.

If Leinart is kept, he will backup Anderson, while rookies Max Hall and John Skelton fight for 3rd string.

If Leinart is released, the Cardinals will have two rookie relievers on the sideline.

I think it's safe to Arizona fans will NOT be voting for Kurt Warner on DWTS in hopes he'll decide to return to the field.

Can Matt Hasselbeck Stay Healthy?

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SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 08: Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to pass the ball against the Detroit Lions on November 8, 2009 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Lions 32-20. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

There is no question Matt Hasselbeck is a great quarterback. He's been selected to the pro bowl 3 times and was voted an all-pro in 2005. Not bad for a guy who has battled injuries his entire career.

After missing 9 games in 2008, the Seahawks had hoped for a healthy return to the field for Hasselbeck in 2009. San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis had other plans when he delivered Hasselbeck a rib breaking hit in week 2, forcing him to miss the next 2 games.

From the looks of it, Hasselbeck will start the season 100 percent healthy for the first time in a few years. With new receivers Mike Williams and Golden Tate on the roster, it's imperative for him to remain on the field in hopes of developing long term continuity. 

Hasselbeck's health took an indirect blow when rookie left tackle Russell Okung suffered a high ankle sprain. The left tackle is the most important position on the offensive line because it's responsible for covering the quarterbacks blindside. Not good news for the pro bowl QB. 

Two words.....

Sitting duck

For Hasselbeck's sake, Okung needs to hurry back to the field.

Can Sam Bradford Continue Playing at a High Level?

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 2: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the Baltimore Ravens during an NFL preseason game at the Edward Jones Dome on September 2, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

After finishing last season with the leagues worst record at 1-15, the Rams were awarded the top pick in the 2010 draft. Their selection?

Sam Bradford

Heading into training camp, the Rams front office wasn't sure if their new prize would start week 1 under center. 

Bradford decided to take the decision out of their hands when he dominated a fairly solid New England Patriot defense in week 3 of the preseason. The kid did everything right. He made great reads, stepped up in the pocket, threw the ball away when necessary and most importantly, he consistently moved the chains.

Bradford continued his great play in week 4 against a defensive juggernaut in the Baltimore Ravens. His stat line?

6/6 for 68 yards and 1 touchdown. 

The one touchdown came on the only drive he was on the field.

Rams brass is clearly sold on Bradford starting the season as QB1.

Questions at receiver could make things very difficult for the rookie quarterback. After losing Donnie Avery to a knee, the Rams were left with very little to no depth at the position. The injury moved slot receiver/return specialist Danny Amendola into a new role in the offense. Amendola played two stellar games after his move up the depth chart, which should be a sigh of relief for Bradford and Rams fans.

The Rams could be a sneaky team in 2010 if Bradford keeps up this level of play.