John Madden

Each week John Madden answers readers questions. To ask Coach a question, e-mail him at:

Coach, is it too early to compare Darren McFadden to Adrian Peterson? He looks like he has that potential.
Steve from Larchmont, NY

Madden: Yeah, it is too early Steve.  I have heard people say that and then I have heard people that know them both and think that they are not comparable. But they are both such young players and the NFL is so much about the long term. How are they going to be in the middle of the season, how are they going to be at the end of the season and how are they going to be next year and the year after that. Will they still be playing in eight years?  There are so many things that have to be part of a comparison that I don't think there is enough stuff on either one of them to compare them.

Coach, how good is Jay Cutler and can you see him being among the elite QBs in the league soon?
Scott from Colorado

Madden: I think Jay Cutler is very good, Scott, and he is on his way to becoming an elite NFL quarterback.  The one thing he has always had is velocity.  Over the years I have talked so much about the velocity of Brett Favre. Jay Cutler has that same kind of velocity, so you know he has a strong arm and he is a smart player. He can move, run bootlegs and things like that so it is just a matter of putting everything together and getting a pretty good group around him and it looks like they are on their way to that right now. 

Coach, what's wrong with Jacksonville? Is it just the O-Line or is it something else?
Darren from Orlando

Madden: They just started off and have only played two games Darren, so you don't want to jump to conclusions but I would say it is the offensive line.  They are a run dominating team and runners need blockers. When you dominate offensively with the run that usually means that your offensive line is dominating the defensive front and when you have injuries and lose guys like they did in the middle of their line, their center and two guards, it is tough.  It is not only the physical part, but also the mental part with the communication that you miss.

Coach, did Minnesota need to make a change at QB if they wanted to make the playoffs?
Brett from Minneapolis

Madden: Brett, that is the tough thing for Minnesota.  This is the NFL and you have to be able to throw the ball and when you can't throw the ball and defenses gang up against your run and dare you to pass the ball. You have to be able to pass them out of that and Minnesota hasn’t been able to.  Having said that I don't know if they have the answer to switch to for the long term.  Those things have to be addressed in the offseason and through the draft and free agency and once the season starts, solving those types of problems or making changes or picking up someone that can help you is a very difficult thing. 

Coach, how surprised are you that the Panthers are 2-0 even without Steve Smith? Can they win the NFC South?
Jake Harkleroad from Charlotte

Madden: Jake, to me anyone can win the NFC South, I don't think that is a big deal.  I have always respected John Fox as a Coach and their program.  You look at their division with Tampa Bay, Atlanta and New Orleans and I think in that grouping they have as good a chance and maybe better chance as anyone.