Mail "unexpectedly quits" -- connection to iCloud migration?

I'm stumped. I upgraded to 10.5 iTunes recently and since then, my mail, iCal, and address book are all on the fritz. Mail is a constant bomb... 3 seconds up and crash. iCal and AddressBook are a bit more stabile.

Running 10.6.8, MacBookPro 2010. Reinstalled to 10.6 from original disks, reinstalled all apps. Mail keeps crashing. Items I've searched for and have not located: mail preferences and a Library "bundle". In other threads these were recommended to be disposed of -- I would if they were there.

Wondering if this Apple pushing my "sync" to the iCloud service? I've turned off syncing in system prefs.

Anyone else seeing this issue with mail? Any solutions?

Thanks much.

[ Sidebar -- I'm not a fan of iCloud, I think it's going to be a huge mistake. I've used Mobile Me for years...I don't need iCloud and I will truly miss the iDisk feature. ]