Q. Hey Dan, do you think the final suspension Michael Vick received was fair? Should he really miss any more games?
— Tony C., Allentown, Pa.

A. I think suspending Vick for the first two games of the season was fair. I think the suspension really addresses the fact that Vick was dishonest to the NFL.

I don’t believe the spirit of the suspension is about the crime he committed. He already served his time for that, and had two seasons taken away from him in the prime of his career. But it probably is fair to punish him further, though not too harshly, for lying to his employers over a serious matter.

Q. Maybe it is just that my team has been crappy on defense the last decade (K.C. Chiefs), but I'm wondering whether, for the whole league, has the number of blocked punts went down over the last 10-20 years?
— Shawn, Lawrence, Kan.

A. There were 13 blocked punts in the NFL last year, which is pretty typical.

Slideshow   Previewing the 2009 season Ten teams who will rebound from 2008, our All-Pros, players ready to star and more.

The last five years, there have been an average of 11.4 blocked punts per year. In 2003, there were 21 blocked punts, but that was higher than the norm. Ten years ago, in 1998, there were 10 blocked punts.

Q. Over the years the Redskins have spent a lot of money to sign some of the best players. Why is the team still failing?
— Amir Arzili, Glendale, Calif.

A. Two reasons.

First, they have invested in the wrong players many times. And second, you can’t buy a football team.

That lesson has been taught over and over again. The best teams often are not the best collections of talent, rather, they are the best combinations of players who work together well and fit their respective systems.

Q. Hey Dan, nice column on players and NFL cuts. I was wondering, how much do players make on the practice squad?
— Wanda Roberts, Charlotte, N.C.

A. Thanks Wanda. The minimum weekly salary for a practice squad player is $5,200, but teams can pay more than that if they wish.