Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges, according to his attorneys. By doing so, he receives a reduced sentence, and will not face racketeering charges. Vick will admit guilt, and in exchange, prosecutors will ask for a prison sentence of 18 to 36 months, instead of five years.

The lead attorney for pro football star Michael Vick said Monday that the Atlanta Falcons quarterback will plead guilty to dogfighting and related charges and will “accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made.”

Billy Martin, heading up Vick’s legal team, issued the following statement:

“After consulting with his family over the weekend. Michael Vick ask that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with Federal prosecutors regarding the charges pending against him. Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of Guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made. Michael wishes to apologizes again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter. The legal team and Mr. Vick will appear in court in Richmond on August 27th.”

The statement apparently took federal officials by surprise.

Jim Rybicki, a spokesman for U.S. States Attorney Chuck Rosenberg, said he had not heard of an agreement in the Vick case, and that he was trying to reach prosecutors.

Vick’s attorneys hope to hear back from National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office sometime Monday about Vick’s career options, sources said.

I certainly hope his career is over – for good. He’s acknowledging guilt in federal conspiracy charges, including illegal dogfighting. Someone like that should not be the star of an NFL team.

Unfortunately, I wouldn’t bet on a life suspension. Probably a few years – if. The only hope is the NFL’s new commissioner Roger Goodell, who has a reputation of being a hard ass, is as equally pissed.

To their credit, the Justice Brothers won’t be looking to bail Vick out of this one.