Q: Hey Dan, it seems like Michael Vick has been pretty worthless so far with the Eagles. Is it just rust or is has he just lost a step?
— Perry, Allentown, Penn.

A: We haven’t seen enough of him to say if he has lost a step, but my sources with the team tell me he has looked good in practice.

Vick has touched the ball only 11 times in games — that’s nowhere near enough times for anyone to draw any conclusions about his ability. Remember, Vick has been away from football for two years. It might just take him a little time, and some more opportunities, for him to show some of his old flash.

Q: Are the Ravens just unlucky or are they doing something wrong in all these losses? I mean, the defense makes some plays and the offense is still good but I can’t believe they’ve lost 3 games?
— Cliff, Woodlawn, Md.

A: No question the Ravens have been a little unlucky. But good teams make their own luck.

They are a better team than they have shown, and I would be surprised if the Ravens did not turn it around. I think they will be a team no one wants to play in December.

Fan ranker Who’s on NFL’s ‘hot seat’? The Bears are out of the playoff chase. What does that mean for Lovie Smith? How hot is his seat? Here’s your chance to rank all the NFL coaches. NBCSports.com

The good news is they are only one game behind the leaders in the AFC North, they are one of the most talented teams in the league, and they are well coached.

Q: Is there something physically wrong with Pat Williams of the Vikings? He hardly played in the preseason and he seems to be a nonfactor during the regular season.
— M. Fosse, Rochester, Minn.

A: There is nothing wrong with him. Williams is third in tackles among Vikings defensive linemen. The Vikings’ run defense has been a little off, but still ranks ninth in the league.

Williams is the kind of player who doesn’t get noticed because he’s doing the dirty work — eating up a couple of offensive linemen — which frees up others to make plays.

Q: Why is a wedge in the NFL illegal?
— Madeline Jiardina, New Berlin, Ill.

A: The wedge on kickoff returns — which is basically a three man blocking triangle in front of the returner — was outlawed this past offseason because the competition committee believed it had led to too many injuries. This was a safety issue.