Michael Vick will be back in a Year!

That's what his team of legal and crisis management experts is aiming for according to a well placed DC source. Can you imagine Vick on the football field tossing bombs or eluding tacklers next season?

It's quite a goal considering that Vick hasn't been sentenced yet on the federal dog fighting charge that could lead to 12 or 18 months in prison....and he could still face charges from the State of Virginia.

Sports insiders say Vick's indefinite NFL suspension will certainly continue after his prison stay, although it's far from clear just how long after that;

Michael Vick appeared contrite when he stepped up to the microphones today (Monday) after his court appearance.

He didn't read from a script and that was a good call on the part of his handlers. He obviously was told to be himself--a lifelong football player and not a speaker--again that was a good call.

There was nervousness, pauses, quivering, all good stuff for a guy reaching out- not to reporters- but to sports fans...fathers and sons..who once loved him. They're the ones who will ultimately decide if and when he returns to the sidelines.

Vick apologized to fans, his team and National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell; after pleading guilty to a federal charge that he plotted to run an interstate dogfighting ring.

He denounced dogfighting as ``a terrible thing'' in the televised news conference and said he had used ``bad judgment,'' and now felt ``ashamed'' and ``disappointed'' in himself.

Vick's plea agreement, entered Aug. 24, said he helped run Bad Newz Kennels, which bought, trained and fought dogs in Virginia, and other States. The agreement also said he funded gambling associated with the ring and agreed to the killing of poor-performing dogs.

``I accept the responsibility for my actions and what I did, and now I have to pay the consequences for it,'' Vick said today in Richmond, Virginia.

Here in DC, Anthony Ellis told me as he entered the ESPN sports Zone today "He's gonna do the time. He made a mistake. But forgiveness is a good thing. His going to God is a greater thing".

Ellis, of Southeast DC thinks Vick should be allowed to resume his NFL career.

Tony and Omica Davis agree. The Lanham, Maryland couple said over lunch at Ben's Chili Bowl that other NFL players had been guilty of even more serious crimes such as spousal abuse.

Rob Hamilton of Philly was visiting DC when he walked into the Zone. He and his son Josh are prepared to forgive Vick for his role in breeding, training and killing Pitt Bulls; After Vick serves a sentence and suspension. They want to see him play again.

Not so for Billie Kaumaya. She refuses to feel sorry for anyone who would help brutalize a dog.

Billy Martin, Vick's attorney said Monday, ``We hope that Judge Hudson will see the real Mike Vick,'' ``What you've seen is an aberration.''

Vick admitted he ``was not honest and forthright'' with his team or the league while the case unfolded. NFL boss Roger Goodell called Vick's actions ``cruel and reprehensible.''

Team owner Arthur Blank said in a news conference that the Vick embarrassed and betrayed the Falcons, and the team would consider legal and contractual options before taking action against him.

``It's not as simple as standing here today and telling you we're terminating Michael's rights,'' Blank said. ``We simply cannot do that. It's not in our fans' or our franchise's long- term interests. It would be a short-term fix at the expense of our long-term success.''

The Falcons are already trying to recover bonus money prepaid to Vick. News reports say the team would try to recoup $22 million.

``I will redeem myself,'' Vick said. ``I have to.''

Look for the rehabilitation of Vick to hit high gear even before he reports to prison. His handlers will be looking for a "cause" that can use his money; probably in the high six or even seven figures. Volunteer work, with the kids he admittedly let down will be high on the list.

The plan will be to portray Vick as remorseful, humbled and humiliated...anything but the highly compensated, heavily entitled, spoiled superstar that Michael Vick had become.