The NFL is hard on gambling, for a reason. If they let Vick slide, then that opens the door for others. While Vick would likely never get in over his head with a bookie or anything, given his cash availability, other lower-paid players might. And then the bookie says something like, 'We'll break both your legs and cripple you forever, then rat you out to the NFL, unless you purposely lose the game on Nov 6 this year.' Or whatever, you get the idea.

That's why I am pretty sure he will not play in the NFL again, regardless of whatever else happens to him through the judicial system. They can't look soft on gamblers, because gamblers could (further) taint the integrity of the sport.