John Madden

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

If you were the Broncos owner would you have fired Mike Shanahan?
JH

Madden: JH, No I wouldn't have. I think any way you look at the NFL coaches and the top NFL coaches, Mike Shanahan is on the top of any list as a head coach. I remember three or four years ago talking about the top coaches in the league and in that group was Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren and Bill Cowher … And now none of them are in it. 

I have all the respect in the world for Mike Shanahan and I was shocked that he got fired, but maybe at some point you just wear out at a place. Whether you wear out in coaching or not you just wear out your stay and you are better off making a move. So that could be the situation there in Denver. 

Which home team do you think has the best chance of winning on Wild Card weekend?
Jonathan from New London, CT

Madden: I would think the Chargers do, Jonathan.  We know that the Colts are one of the hot teams, they've won nine in a row, but somehow for some reason although they are 8-8 they match up well against them. The Chargers defense historically plays Peyton Manning well. We did the game in Week 12 and they took them right down to the wire. San Diego took the lead late and then the Colts got the ball, drove down and Adam Vinatieri kicked a field goal right at the end to win the game. I have seen this one before and I know that the game is going to be a very, very close game.

Coach, who would be your defensive player of the year?
Sarah from Baltimore

Madden: Sarah, I am so impressed with the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. I would probably say James Harrison, but Troy Polamalu is awfully good. I watch him on film a lot and the two of those guys really catch your eye. I would think it would be between the two of them and DeMarcus Ware of the Dallas Cowboys. So you say which one, I will go with Harrison.

Which rookie QB do you expect to excel more in the postseason? Flacco or Ryan?
Dale from Georgia

Madden: I think they both have a chance for their team to excel, Dale. I think that is the bigger thing. You look at Atlanta and they have a running game with Michael Turner and that really helps Matt Ryan. You look at the Baltimore Ravens and they have a great defense and that really helps Joe Flacco. I think that either one of these teams can really win with the quarterback just playing average; I don't know that either quarterback is going to excel in the playoffs. As long as they don't make mistakes that hurt their team, like interceptions, I think they both have a chance. The short answer would be that both their teams have a chance, but i don't think they will be the main reason in either case.

What do you think of Philly's chances of getting to the Super Bowl? Could the Eagles be this year's Giants?
Gary from Reading, PA

Madden: They can, Gary, if they don't self-destruct. The Eagles when they play at the top of their game they can beat anyone. Sometimes you believe they are at the top of their game and they can play a lousy game. I think they have a chance to beat anyone in the tournament, but I don't know that they have the consistency to get them through three games and get them to the Super Bowl.

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