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Contrary to popular belief, Michael Vick hasn't yet been suspended by either the NFL or the Falcons. He has been excused from training camp with pay by commissioner Roger Goodell pending the league's own investigation. It seems a reasonable assumption that the NFL will find cause to suspend him for the season. But what if it doesn't? According to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, the maximum a team (as opposed to the league, which has broader powers) can suspend a player is four regular-season games. The Falcons were prepared to do that — they'd already drafted the letter — when Goodell stepped in. So let's say, at the end of camp, the commish declares Vick is eligible to return to the Falcons, who promptly suspend him for those four games. The Falcons' fourth game will be played on Sept. 30. So what would happen on Oct. 1? Either Vick rejoins the team, or the Falcons cut him. (Arthur Blank has already ruled out the much-discussed paid leave of absence.) We've all been focusing on Nov. 26, the day Vick's trial is scheduled to begin in Richmond, but the date of Monday, Oct. 1, could be just as intriguing. And what's the chance Vick will do as co-defendant Tony Taylor has done and cop a plea? Not likely. Not if he wants to play in the NFL again anytime soon. The league, see, would surely treat a guilty plea, even to a lesser charge, as an admission of guilt, duh, and could well move to dock Vick for all of the 2008 season, too. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mark Bradley: Oct. 1 a pivotal date for Vick? | Sports Columnists | ajc.com