NFL Preseason: The 10 Biggest Storylines for the NFC West

It has been a relatively busy week for the four NFC West teams.

From Frank Gore's contract frustrations and possibly requesting a trade, to Larry Fitzgerald superman catch against the Green Bay Packers, the so-called worst division in the NFL is still finding a way to make it into the headlines.

Here are the 10 biggest headlines for the NFC West in week two of the NFL.

1. Frank Gore Upset with His Current Contract

San Francisco 49ers' running back Frank Gore is not happy about his contract and is not being quiet about it either.

When healthy, Gore is considered to be a top-10 running back in the NFL, but that is exactly what the 49ers are worried about. Gore has had a history of injury-ridden seasons and a 28-year old running back in the NFL isn't considered "young" anymore.

The latest from the contract negotiation front is that contract talks are going slow, but he has already said that he wants to retire as a 49er.

Gore is in the final year of his contract and will rake in a moderate $4.9 million. 

He has been quoted by saying, "I would like it to get done before the season so I can just focus on football and not, is it going to get done or not?"

I think that's a fair statement.

2. 49ers' Quarterback Dilemma Sorting Itself out

While everyone was expecting Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick to duke it out all preseason long to become the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback, it looks like that battle is coming to a close.

Before the game against the Oakland Raiders, Jim Harbaugh mentioned that Smith has widened the gap between him and Colin Kaepernick.

After Smith's performance against the Raiders on Saturday night, all signs point to Smith being the  opening day starter for the 49ers.

3. Controversial Cancellation of the Battle of the Bay

Surprise, Surprise: the 49er fans and the Raider fans were at it again last Friday night.

However this time, two people were critically injured and that doesn't even include those who were hurt in the other fights in the parking lot.

This is a game folks, a preseason game nonetheless!

This incident was the final straw for the NFL who indefinitely suspended the "battle of the bay" game for all preseasons in the future.

A lot of fans might not be happy with the decision, but I believe it was the right one in the end. Sure, people get in arguments at sporting events, it is just the nature of the game from a fan's perspective.

However, this type of violence does not belong in sports and something needed to be done.

4. Larry Fitzgerald and Cardinals Agree to a Monster Contract Extension

In case you haven't heard yet, Larry Fitzgerald is now a very rich man.

Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals have recently agreed to an eight-year, $120 million contract extension that will likely keep him in the red and white until he retires.

This contract will also put him in the list of the highest-paid players in the entire NFL.

Deservedly so considering Fitzgerald is one of the top-three wide receivers in the NFL and is only 27 years young.

5. Larry Fitzgerald's Superman Catch

For those of you who live under a rock and haven't seen this catch yet, here you are.

This is why the Cardinals invested a fortune in keeping this man a Cardinal for life.

I still don't know how he caught that ball.

6. Ryan Williams' Devastating Injury

Ryan Williams, the star running back out of Virginia Tech who was drafted 38th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2011 NFL draft was carted off the field on Friday after rupturing his patella tendon.

The Cardinals were hoping for big things from Williams, but he will now be forced to miss his entire rookie year. Initial reports also suggested that the injury might be career-threatening which is truly heartbreaking news considering the young man hasn't played a snap in a regular season NFL game.

That picture tells the whole story.

7. Believe It or Not: Quarterback Competition in Seattle

After signing with the Seattle Seahawks, Tarvaris Jackson was immediately deemed the starting quarterback even before he took a snap with the team.

However, what Pete Carrol also mentioned was that the starting quarterback spot was his to lose.

Even though it is only two games into the preseason and Jackson is probably still trying to learn the offense, word on the street is that a quarterback competition has emerged between Jackson and fellow teammate Charlie Whitehurst.

Whitehurst has easily outplayed Jackson in the first two exhibition games and has driven home the fact that he already knows the offense.

Carrol has already restated that Jackson is the starting quarterback, but if things don't change, I don't know how much longer Carrol can keep sweeping this predicament under the rug.

8. Aaron Curry and Seahawks Restructure Contract

I think it's safe to say that the relationship between Aaron Curry and the Seattle Seahawks hasn't turned out like either had initially planned.

After being the fourth-overall selection in the 2009 NFL draft, Curry has done little to prove why he was worthy of such a draft high pick.

While Curry's tenure in Seattle isn't officially over yet, it looks like this is the beginning of the end.

After Curry and the Seattle Seahawks agreed on a restructured contract, he will now be a free agent at the end of the 2012 season and is also giving up $5 million that he was originally guaranteed during that season.

If Curry doesn't live up to the expectations this upcoming season, expect it to be his last year playing football in the pacific northwest.

9. Donnie Avery Is Back in Action

Sam Bradford is certainly a happy camper right about now.

Donnie Avery—who suffered a torn ACL in 2010—is now back in action with the St. Louis Rams and the team's originally thin wide receiving core just received a boost.

The speedy wide receiver opened some eyes during his first two seasons with the Rams and people were expecting a big season from him in 2010 before he injured his knee.

It looks like Avery hasn't missed a beat after he scored a 19-yard touchdown pass in his first game back in action.

10. Sam Bradford Tries to Prove He Doesn't Believe in a Sophomore Slump

Many predicted that Sam Bradford was a prime candidate to struggle in his first year as an NFL quarterback.

Considering the situation the St. Louis Rams were in when Bradford joined the team, its not hard to understand why so many people thought that way.

However, Bradford defied all expectations and had a strong year for a rookie quarterback in 2010 by throwing for over 3,500 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Now in 2011, Bradford will have to silence the critics all over again and prove that he will not be the latest to fall victim to the infamous sophomore slump.

The addition of wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker and the return of previously mentioned Donnie Avery will certainly help Bradford as he tries to build on his success in 2010.

Bradford is already off to a good start by throwing for over 180 yards and three touchdowns in about three quarters of work this preseason.