Introducing the Blogcritics SportSphere, a roundtable chat consisting of rotating writers from Blogcritics Sports. We spend roughly an hour talking about stuff, and sometimes we say things worth reading. 

Nicolas L: Well, I don't think it would really be fair to have an all-around sports discussion without dragging Michael Vick into it. Here's my question; what do you think his punishment (from the judge and then the league) will be, is that fair, and when can we expect him back in an NFL game?

Tuffy: Do we still have guillotines? Maybe force him to watch Cat in the Hat on ABC tonight?

Cory H.: I'm very unqualified to answer this one, but it seems as if he's going to be used as an example — maybe in both realms, politics and sports. (NFL commissioner Roger) Goodell isn't going to let him off easy, that's for sure ... no NFL this season, but I'd have to say he gets back eventually, maybe taking the Ricky Williams CFL route.

Nicolas L: I hear the likeliest situation is 12-18 months from the judge, and another year suspension on top of that. It seems a lot of the pundits aren't expecting more than that, and I think they're underestimating the judge and Goodell.

Tuffy: Moral indignation aside, he could "come back" to the NFL when it all plays out, but he'll come back to an NFL that doesn't miss him anymore. The NFL is a heartless monolith when it comes to its players. Fans move on more quickly than they care to admit. If he does come back, the public will care for a surprisingly short time. 

Nicolas L: When he does finally come back, will he even have enough talent left to play at that point? He may well be 30 years old or better by then.

Tuffy: Vinny Testaverde has a two-year contract that hasn't completely dried yet. [Vick] could be a backup for 10 years.

Cory H.: Vick's game relies so much on speed — if he loses a step, it would show more easily than on most quarterbacks. 

Nicolas L: What do you think of the NAACP supporting Vick?

Tuffy: I'm watching Little League baseball and that organization is more relevant to young black men today than the NAACP.

Cory H.: Would you expect them to speak out against him? Or just ignore the situation?

Nicolas L: i would expect them to not chime in on a situation that has nothing to do with race as far as I'm concerned

Cory H.: Well, that might not necessarily be the case.