With summer just around the corner, it's time to do a little spring cleaning.

Let's get these out of the way before they become outdated.

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Michael Vick. The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback has missed the past two NFL seasons and might miss the upcoming season, depending on what punishment NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wants to throw at him.Vick spent 19 months in federal prison before returning home to Virginia to finish a two-month confinement. When completed, he will be a free man and should have the right to return to the NFL.I don't condone what he did: financing an illegal dogfighting ring. Cruelty to animals is a serious offense and he deserved his punishment.That being said, he's served the time and he wants to work to make up for what he's done.Whether he's sincere remains to be seen, but he should have the right to seek employment in the NFL. He lost his job and his wealth. He paid his penance and should be given a chance to redeem himself.•

Bill Cowher. The former Steelers coach caught a lot of flak for cranking the siren to open a Carolina Panthers-Pittsburgh Penguins playoff game in Raleigh, N.C.So what? This was nothing but a curiosity, not an outcry from Pittsburgh fans who felt betrayed and bought T-shirts ripping Cowher.Bill Cowher doesn't owe you anything. He coached 15 years, with only three losing campaigns, six AFC championships games, two Super Bowls and one NFL championship.He went to college at North Carolina State and lives there now. He has ties to that area, too. He's entitled to cheer for another team. If he cheered on the Panthers against the Steelers in the Super Bowl, that would be different.•

LeBron James. His antics following the Cavaliers' loss to the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals was a little childish. He claims he's a competitor and couldn't bring himself to congratulate the Magic players at that point. That's fine. My issue is him leaving without facing the media. He basically bailed and left his teammates holding the bag. Not something you would expect from your leader.•

Brett Favre. I know. We keep getting pulled into this soap opera every year, and, each year, I tune out more and more. Come back. Don't come back. Don't care. He supposedly had shoulder surgery, but whether he'll be at 100 percent is unknown. But if he can, he will come back to play, but only for the Minnesota Vikings.Favre continues to tarnish his legacy. My guess is he wants to go out with a bang, something he just fell short of in Green Bay two years ago when his late interception against the New York Giants cost the Packers a trip to the Super Bowl.Keep trying, Brett. You might make it back. Just don't count on me to watch.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.