Former No. 1 overall pick and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick Monday completed a 23-month jail/home confinement sentence after pleading guilty to "Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Unlawful Activities and to Sponsor a Dog in an Animal Fighting Venture."

In addition, he admitted to providing most of the financing for the operation itself, as well as participating directly in several dog fights in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He also admitted to sharing in the proceeds from these dog fights. He further admitted he knew his "partners" in the venture killed several dogs who didn't perform well enough. However, while he admitted to providing most of the money for gambling on the fights, he denied placing any side bets on the dogfights. He also denied actually killing any dogs himself.

Vick will remain on probation for three years. He also is under a three-year suspended sentence for a state dogfighting conviction in Virginia.

I am of the belief that had there not been big money involved in this, Vick's punishment would not have been as severe. PETA may have called for a harsh punishment, but had it just been some dogs that were murdered and no paper trail, Vick would have gotten no more than a big fine, some community service and a slap on the wrist.

I know some people have also questioned how people can shoot a deer or participate in hunting without fear of prosecution, but that's a sport. No one has deer in their back yard, or takes them on family trips. What I would counter that with is dog fighting and horse and dog racing are similar. Trainers and groomers breed those dogs and horses to be big, fast and strong. When they win, their owners mate them as a way to keep their empire going. When the horse or dog loses or breaks a vital limb, 17 bullets are put in the animal or its sent to a glue factory. So why doesn't PETA post up outside Churchill Downs each May?

But what's done is done. All of the talk since that admission of guilt has centered around whether or not Vick deserves another shot to play football again. And while I in no way condone what he took part, I do believe Vick should have a chance to make an NFL roster.

2nd chance on the biggest stage

Based on a federal judge's decision, Vick has paid his debt to society by spending time in a Kansas prison. Also, at the request of federal authorities before sentencing, Vick agreed to deposit nearly $1 million dollars in an escrow account with attorneys for use to reimburse costs of caring for the confiscated dogs, most of which were being offered for adoption on a selective basis under supervision of a court-appointed specialist. Later during his bankruptcy trial, the U.S. Department of Labor complained those funds were paid at least partially with unlawfully withdrawn monies which Vick held in trust for himself and eight other employees of MV7, a celebrity marketing company he owns. However it was done, those dogs have since been treated with the utmost care and respect.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell holds Vick's future in his hands. Based on his track record in disciplining players who feel they're above the law - Adam "Pacman" Jones and Tank Johnson come to mind - Vick could be out of luck. Many pundits expect Goodell to reinstate Vick, but not until Sept. 1 - about a week before the start of the 2009 NFL season and when rosters are cut to 53. That wouldn't give the former Pro Bowl QB much time to get into anyone's camp. If that's the only outlet Vick seeks, he could be on the shelf for a third consecutive season. He would be 30 by the by training camps begin next summer.

Goodell could look at demonstrations made by PETA supporters outside the Georgia Dome in 2007 when all the information on Vick's dogfighting ring came into light and leave a man who once had one of the best-selling jerseys in the league on the outside looking in. PETA is a very influencial group that has support from some very influencial people, which could negatively impact any team that acquires Vick's services. To Goodell, the NFL's image is just as important as its bottom line, which could leave Vick out in the cold. Team owners could show apprehension, as well. Although each team receives millions of dollars each year through revenue sharing and the NFL's extremely lucrative TV deal, no owners wants his team's fans to revolt. That could lead to TV blackouts, low gates, etc., and no owner wants light pockets.

Vick must also show genuine remorse for the crimes he's committed, as he owes that to the NFL and the community at-large. He's on his way to doing that, as he has signed on to do some work with the Humane Society.

New league could make Vick its face

It's common knowledge that Vick desires to play football where the best athletes are - the NFL. But another route could be with the upstart, four-team United Football League, slated to begin play about a month into the NFL season and culminates with a title game Thanksgiving weekend.

The UFL is an upstart league headed by its commissioner, Michael Huyghue, a former NFL official. It has sufficient funding, a smart plan and credibility. The head coaches of the four franchises in 2009 all are former NFL coaches: Jim Fassel (Las Vegas), Dennis Green (San Francisco), Ted Cottrell (New York) and Jim Haslett (Orlando).

According to published reports, Vick's rights already have been assigned to Orlando, even though Huyghue has not signed off on Vick.

"As a league, we'll let due process take its course but, yes, I'd love to have him and I think he would benefit from playing with us and in our league," Haslett said in an online report. "It would be a great way for him to knock off the rust and get in true football playing condition. Obviously, we know his abilities and we'd certainly tailor to his strengths."

Taking the field in this league would accomplish a number things for all parties involved: it would allow Vick a platform to test his signal-calling skills against NFL-caliber talent, as no NFL team that would potentially sign Vick would put him under center. Vick would get all the reps every day during a two-month period, giving him a chance to get back into NFL shape without taking NFL-type punishment.

Keeping Vick's rights would also give a new league a recognizable face at a time in his career, and life, where there will be millions of people potentially tuning in to see if he's still the same master of improvisation on the football field...and to see if he falls flat on his face. It would also bring a different type of viewer to the network that will host the UFL's games - Versus. Versus benefits would be two-fold: the network's viewership would increase, which would in turn cause cable executives to actually put the network where it's easy for viewers to find.

The NFL benefits, as well, as executives would be able to gauge fans' (and PETA's) response to seeing Vick week in and week out. Empty seats, boos and picket signs speak loudly when it comes to big business. If Vick is treated as an outcast, his chance of returning to the NFL becomes even smaller. But if his jersey sells, if he sells tickets, and if VS's numbers skyrocket, Goodell and his colleagues will for sure ponder a return for Vick.

Vick's debts reach farther than what he paid to society

Playing in the fledgling league would also aid Vick in his quest to rebuild his financial life. Vick sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newport News, Va., in July 2008 after failing to "work out consensual resolutions with each of his creditors," according to court papers.

According to reports, the initial filing, which was incomplete, listed assets of less than $50 million and debt of $10 million to $50 million. The seven largest creditors without collateral backing their claims are owed a total of $12.8 million. The three biggest unsecured creditors are: Joel Enterprises Inc., owed $4.5 million for breach of contract; Atlanta Falcons, owed $3.75 million for "pro-rated signing bonus" and Royal Bank of Canada, owed $2.5 million for a loan. The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback "will seek to rebuild his life and career" upon his release, according to the filings. In Newport News, the "Daily Press" newspaper made a PDF formatted copy of the court documents available online at the newspaper's Web site.

Reports have UFL officials set to make Vick the league's highest-paid player with a salary of about $1 million based on reasons listed above that would aid the league and it's broadcast partner. That wouldn't get him totally out of debt, but if he is able to perform at a level that makes NFL executives take notice, and if his community work and work with the Humane Society and other groups is genuine, Vick could be on the fast track back into the NFL and on his way to financial freedom, as well.

Goodell different from past commishes

The Michael Vick discussion has brought about many interweaving topics. One of this biggest has been: "What's worse: killing animals, or killing people?"

I am firmly in the camp of those who believe killing human beings is far worse.

I am not some animal hater. Nor am I condoning Vick's actions. I love dogs. I've been on a hunt for a golden retriever for some time. I even looked on in shock when Chris got too high and suffocated Adriana's poodle on an episode of "The Sopranos." But if Leonard Little, going into his 12th year with the St. Louis Rams, in 1999 could leave a party with a blood-alcohol level of .19, get into a vehicle, smack into and kill a woman, do his 90 days in jail and pay a fine and only serve an eight-game suspension, then Vick deserves a second chance.

Little's crime was committed under a different commissioner, though, which could play a role in how the Vick story turns out. Goodell has shown he goes hard at players who presumably think playing in the NFL is a right and not a priviledge. So Vick better pray the current NFL commissioner believes every word that comes out of his mouth.

While on home confinement, Vick - once the NFL’s highest-paid player - worked a $10-an-hour construction job for a few weeks. He switched jobs last month, assisting in children’s health and fitness programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Working with kids? That's a good way to get back in people's good graces.