In the much publicized case against disgraced Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick, US District Judge Henry Hudson Monday is expected to sentence Vick up to five years in prison. Vick’s co-defendants, Purnell Peace and Quanice Phillips, have already been sentenced to 18 and 21 months respectively for their roles in this brutal case of animal cruelty. But because Vick provided the money to stage the dog fight, many are saying that he could receive the maximum penalty.

If he receives less than the maximum and is instead sentenced to 18 months, that would give Vick enough time to suit up for the 2009 NFL training camps. However, considering the once beloved QB owes the Falcons $19.97 million in signing bonuses it’s not likely that he will be given another chance to play with the organization unless he coughs up the cash. And even then, his reputation has been so severely damaged that his presence will only hinder rather than help the club.

Without Vick, the Falcons are 3-9 heading into Monday night’s game against New Orleans.

You would think the NFL would have an image problem, given the conduct of some of its players. Yet the mighty juggernaut rolls on.

In 2000, Ray Lewis accepted a plea bargain on murder charges and served one year of probation for obstruction of justice. Lewis was fined $250,000 by the NFL, but served no suspension.

Shawne Merriman was suspended for four games last year; it was leaked to the press that the suspension was for violating the league’s steroid policy. Merriman was voted to the Pro Bowl.

Nine Cincinnati Bengals were then arrested over the course of nine months for everything from spousal abuse to boating under the influence. Only Chris Henry and Odell Thurman were suspended.

These incidents were splashed across the newspapers and quickly forgotten. Meanwhile, Michael Vick’s about to walk the plank on dogfighting-related charges. Does being an African-American quarterback color the public’s perception? You be the judge.