Recently on Turf Show Times—a reminder that in Sam Bradford the St. Louis Rams have somehow managed to possess both the quarterback with the highest potential in the NFC West as while as the quarterback who's closest to a sure thing. It's rare a second-year quarterback manages both at once, and it's true that Bradford saw some significant growing pains in 2010, but in the NFC West it wouldn't take nearly as much as the Rams already have to take the crown from the Arizona Cardinals, the San Francisco 49ers, or the Seattle Seahawks.
↵The Cardinals are perhaps most inscrutable, with long-term rumors about Kevin Kolb in NFL lockout limbo. de facto incumbent John Skelton, who made his NFL debut at the end of an ugly loss to the Rams, is closer to a Keith Null than a Bradford; he's the fruit of the inexplicable decision to pin the franchise's hopes on Derek Anderson and simultaneously dump Matt Leinart.
↵The Seahawks are in a similar pickle. Will they really go with the formerly inexperienced and now just not especially great Charlie Whitehurst as their short-term replacement for Matt Hasselbeck? Is Matt Hasselbeck the short-term replacement for Matt Hasselbeck?
↵The 49ers have what amounts to depth in the NFC West, with Alex Smith appearing more likely by the day to return for another shot at resurrection, this time courtesy new coach Jim Harbaugh, and 2011 draft pick Colin Kaepernick in reserve.
↵Sam Bradford still has plenty of developing to do, but for the moment he's what passes for stability in the NFC West. Which is why he might manage to win it.
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