Yahoo! Sports reported this evening that Plaxico Burress and Michael Vick will likely face stiff penalties from Roger Goodell that could leave both on the sidelines for the 2009 season. Both players have been linked to the United Football League by at least a few reporters – although Vick has been linked to the UFL more prominently and more frequently.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is leaning toward indefinitely suspending former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress and continuing to sideline quarterback Michael Vick, three sources with knowledge of the situations have indicated. Such moves would be the latest examples of Goodell’s tough stance on players embroiled in off-field issues as evidenced with the suspension of Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth earlier this month.

Stallworth has been ruled out indefinitely by the league after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter in the death of a Miami man in March. Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in jail, two years of house arrest and reached a financial settlement with the family of the late Mario Reyes.

According to a source with the Giants, the league and another that’s close to Vick, Goodell figures to take a similar stance with the quarterback and Burress. Vick, a former starter for the Atlanta Falcons, is scheduled to be released from federal confinement on July 20 after serving 20 months for his part in a dog-fighting ring. A source indicated there was a reasonable likelihood that Vick, suspended indefinitely by the league in August 2007, will not be allowed to play this season and certainly not be with a team in training camp.

Goodell has said multiple times that he wants to see Vick show remorse for his actions. That means Vick may have to follow a strict path of behavior before he’s allowed to return.

“[Vick] is not just walking out one day and playing again,” the source close to Vick said. “I don’t know if he understands that yet, but that’s what it looks like right now if you really pay attention. … Yeah, he served his time, but he has to prove himself. When the commissioner talks about wanting to see remorse, he’s not kidding.”

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Such reports will likely lead to a new frenzy by reporters as they consider their future – a future that if some have their way would lead to one, or both, suiting up for the United Football League this fall.

As Howard Balzer, UFLAccess.com, and others have reported, Michael Vick’s rights belong to the Orlando franchise. Orlando fans – chime in on whether or not you would like to see Vick suit up for your team come October 8 in our forums.