First impressions, second thoughts and the third degree:

Your $10 million closer should be an unrelenting mental bulldog in the face of every challenge, whether it's the tying run at third, a stretch of tough outings or public criticism. Eric Gagne took it upon himself to surrender, plain and simple, and if Brewers manager Ned Yost isn't hacked off about that, he should be. …

What if this closer-by-committee deal winds up being a better option for Milwaukee than Gagne, or, gulp, Derrick Turnbow should he somehow salvage his personal Lusitania at Class AAA Nashville? History tells us Gagne can't handle any role outside of the one he was hired for. …

Their beds are made, now they can sleep in them: While the Brewers look for something for Gagne to do, former closer Francisco Cordero (1-0, 5-for-5 in saves, 1.93 ERA, .184 opponent batting average at the start of the week) labors for a last-place team in Cincinnati. …

Since Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin isn't afraid of taking a gamble on a guy like Gagne, you have to wonder if Melvin has more than a passing interest in Mark Redman or Freddy Garcia. …

No matter what happens Tuesday when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Patriots turncoat Matt Walsh meet regarding Spygate — it doesn't appear Walsh has a smoking gun of video evidence that New England cheated more than originally reported — this will forever be a huge blemish for Goodell because he's clearly tried to make the scandal go away instead of proactively looking under every rock. …

It's interesting to hear the students of revisionist history criticize the Bucks for taking center Andrew Bogut No. 1 overall instead of point guard Chris Paul in the 2005 NBA draft. Paul went fourth overall to New Orleans and has emerged as a brilliant talent, but he wasn't even in the debate for the top pick. …

News: The International Olympic Committee has issued a decree prohibiting political or religious protests at the Summer Games in Beijing. Views: Yeah, that'll work, fellas. Snap the sleeping bull in the butt with your red cape. …

Some conspiracy theorists maintain the Packers released Koren Robinson in part because of his off-the-field personal ties with retired quarterback Brett Favre. Actually, the addition of five wideouts — including first-round NFL draft pick Jordy Nelson — leaves little room for a guy who didn't distinguish himself as the No. 4 receiver last season. …

Southern California officials can plead ignorance in the Reggie Bush case in football and probably get away with it, but not the O.J. Mayo saga in men's basketball. The scandals are too close together, too similar in circumstances, too suggestive of negligence, to think the NCAA penalties won't be harsh and multiple people will be fired. …

When Major League Baseball owners meet this week in Milwaukee, they might all share a laugh over the suggestion there's collusion behind the fact Barry Bonds remains unemployed. Aside from him being old, one-dimensional, a huge legal risk and a psychological chemical spill waiting to happen in the clubhouse, Bonds would be the ideal addition to any club.