Meanwhile, Nike has suspended its endorsement deal with Vick, and Reebok, the NFL uniform supplier, has halted sales of his Falcons jersey.

Tony Taylor, 34, of Hampton, Va., is to appear today before federal judge Henry E. Holland for what is listed on the docket as a "plea agreement hearing."

Holland presided last Thursday as Vick and the others entered their not-guilty pleas. The trial is set for Nov. 26.

The indictment alleges that in 2001 Taylor "identified" a property in Smithfield, Va., that was subsequently purchased by Vick as "the main staging area for housing and training the pit bulls involved in the dogfighting venture."It also alleges that in 2002 Taylor "executed at least two dogs that did not perform well in 'testing' sessions."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has told Vick to stay away from the camp of the Atlanta Falcons until the league completes its own inquiry into the case.

Nike announced it has suspended Vick without pay and "will not sell any more Michael Vick product at Nike-owned retail stores at this time."

The company said, "Nike is concerned by the serious and highly disturbing allegations. … However, we do believe that Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen in the United States, therefore, we have not terminated our relationship."

In announcing Reebok's decision to halt sales of Vick jerseys, spokesperson Denise Kaigler told the Associated Press, "While this is just the beginning of the legal process … we felt that making this decision now was important and the right thing to do."