E: As clear as mud

The violent storms have passed and the sun is again shining across cities far and wide in the NFC West.

Gone, at least for now, are the rigors of two-a-days, in-house finger-pointing, and quarterback controversies.

With each new day comes hope of continued success (Cardinals), fulfilled expectations (49ers), optimism (Pete Carroll in Seattle), and new beginnings (the Sam Bradford Era in St. Louis).

Let's start with the Cards who look to three-peat in the West. Gone are Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin, Karlos Dansby, and Antrel Rolle. Ken Whisenhunt completed the last chapter of the Matt Leinart soap opera last weekend cutting the former first-round pick and handing the keys to Derek Anderson who hopes to re-gain his 2008 success in Cleveland. The schedule is at times tricky, but bearable if Anderson can keep his interceptions down, Beanie Wells can hold on to the ball, and new defensive starters Kerry Rhodes and rookie Daryl Washington can pick up some of the slack left behind by Rolle's and Dansby's departure.

By now we all know Mike Singletary "wants winners" in San Francisco and this could be the year his team knocks the Red Birds out of their NFC West nest. Of course this means quarterback Alex Smith will need to play like what made him the top overall pick in 2005, not the guy who has thrown six more career interceptions than touchdowns and struggled with a revolving door of offensive coordinators over the past five seasons. Patrick Willis, Takeo Spikes, and the Niners defense are certainly talking a good game and the signing of Troy Smith to back-up Alex Smith likely will help ease concerns Singletary had with David Carr who came over from the Giants this summer.

Pete Carroll got out of Hollywood just before the curtain fell on USC and now returns to the NFL sidelines for the first time in over a decade. The Seahawks clearly overspent for untested back-up signal-caller Charlie Whitehurst, then ate $7 million after cutting last years leading receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh who was quickly snatched up by the Ravens. Carroll is hoping to catch lightening in a bottle with former Trojan and first-round bust Mike Williams who impressed this pre-season catching 10 passes for 177 yards. There are too many holes on both sides of the ball to deem Seattle a legit contender in the West, but Carroll will slowly overhaul the roster left behind by Jim Mora and Mike Holmgren. Look for the 'Hawks to pull an upset or two at Qwest Field.

It will be another long year for the Rams who are again clearly the least talented team in the division. Sam Bradford may feel like David Carr after he was thrown to the wolves his rookie year in Houston. Bradford, as talented and poised as he appears, will rely on Stephen Jackson to help balance the offense, but has few other weapons at his disposal after losing deep-threat Donnie Avery to a torn ACL last month. Bet on the make-shift offensive line to have trouble all season keeping the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner off the turf. Some feel St. Louis is nothing more than a gloried expansion team, but could steal a home win from the Cards or Niners if both teams don't come ready to play in the library otherwise known as the Edward Jones Dome in The Gateway to the West.

So for now sit back and enjoy the 2010 NFL season.

After a summer of Diamondbacks' baseball, you certainly deserve it.