First impressions, second thoughts and the third degree:

“Why should we believe you?” is the question Joe Buck should have asked Brett Favre at some point during their HBO interview Monday night. …

So many untruths and half-truths have been spun in this latest chapter about Favre that no matter how you feel about the man — he’s a deity, he’s a diva or he’s despicable — common sense suggests he audibled once or twice at the PR line of
scrimmage in order to move the chains. …

Those misdirection plays have effectively led people to question the integrity of good reporters, a major cable network and Vikings coach Brad Childress, among others. It would have been nice to get a good, on-the-record measure of Favre as it relates to his level of honesty. …

Actually, Michael Irvin gave Buck the best talking point for his conversation with Favre: “I don’t mind that you still want to play football,” Irvin said last week of Favre, “but do you want to play so much, and you want to get back at (Packers general manager) Ted Thompson so much, that you’re willing to go back to Lambeau and hurt those fans that supported you for so long?” …

A year after making a trade for CC Sabathia that unquestionably energized his clubhouse, Brewers GM Doug Melvin has to be careful that he doesn’t make one that generates dissent. That’s the risk of moving a veteran whose makeup is critical to team chemistry. …

Playing in baseball’s Steroid Era means you’re always subject to suspicion, but Phillies left fielder Raul Ibanez is off the hook in my book thanks to this oath. “You can have my urine, my hair, my blood, my stool — anything you can test,” he said of a blogger’s suggestion he’s dirty. “I’ll give you back every dime I’ve ever made (if the test is positive).” …

Nothing against NBA commissioner David Stern and his NHL counterpart Gary Bettman, but they should remove their dry drone from the championship award ceremony. Pick a well-spoken, all-time great before the playoffs begin — preferably someone who’s won a title to speak about the achievement — to serve in that honorary role. …

Yes, Phil Jackson is lucky to have worked with Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal in their primes, but it’s hard to argue with a guy who has won a record 10 NBA titles by building multiple dynasties in Chicago and Los Angeles. …

News: The Alabama football program is busted for rules violations that took place while on NCAA probation, but instead of losing scholarships or enduring a bowl ban, 21 wins are taken off the books. Views: The biggest joke isn’t the sentence, which is equivalent to being kept inside during recess to clean erasers, but that school officials are actually considering an appeal. …

A strong counterproposal to the Bowl Championship Series will be offered on Tuesday — featuring an avenue for non-BCS leagues, a new committee to rank the top 25 and a five-bowl tournament to crown a winner — but it all comes down to who’s actually listening outside of Barack Obama.