RICHMOND, Va. - Michael Vick's lawyers have advised him to accept a plea deal from federal prosecutors in his dogfighting case, a person with direct knowledge of the case told The New York Times.

Vick has until 9 a.m. today to accept the deal, the person said. The deal most likely would come with a recommendation from prosecutors that Vick, the Falcons quarterback, be sentenced to one to two years in prison.

The person was granted anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case publicly.

If Vick decides not to take the deal, prosecutors plan to bring more charges against him.

Vick faces three felony charges related to dogfighting and could face up to five years in prison and as much as a $250,000 fine.

Two of Vick's three co-defendants - Purnell A. Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach, Va., and Quanis L. Phillips, 28, of Atlanta - were scheduled to plead guilty this morning at the federal courthouse in front of U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson.

Tony Taylor, the third defendant, pleaded guilty in the case July 30 and agreed to testify against the others. Peace and Phillips also are expected to help the government's case in return for lighter sentences.

Last month, commissioner Roger Goodell appointed Eric Holder, a former deputy attorney general, to investigate the Vick case and recommend a punishment for Vick.

Holder, who is relying only on public documents, has not made a recommendation to Goodell, the league said.

Although public support has turned against Vick, it might be harder for the NFL to suspend him for a long period if he has not admitted to or been convicted of a crime. But if Vick agreed to plead guilty, the league could suspend him for violating its conduct policy because he would have admitted to violating the law.

"We are not in discussion with anyone about his possible suspension," Greg Aiello, a spokesman for the NFL, said in an e-mail. "The commissioner cannot make a decision until he has the report from Eric Holder."

GIANTS, JETS GET FINANCING: The Giants and Jets closed deals for $1.3 billion in financing for a new stadium the clubs are teaming to build.

The open-air facility at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey is expected to open in 2010 and seat 82,500.

ETC.: Receiver Robert Ferguson's injury-marred career with the Packers is over. Coach Mike McCarthy said the team has decided to cut ties with the seven- year veteran. . . . Eagles coach Andy Reid expects Shawn Andrews to be ready for next month's opener. Andrews is wearing a walking boot on his injured right ankle, where a plate was surgically inserted after he broke his fibula in Week 1 of the 2004 season. . . . The Patriots released 11-year punter Josh Miller. . . . Bills starting center Melvin Fowler is expected to miss Buffalo's preseason game against Atlanta tonight because of a sore left ankle.