The Buzz

1. LARRY, WE HARDLY KNEW YE
Before the '96 draft the Rams dealt disgruntled defensive tackle Sean Gilbert to the Redskins for the sixth pick, which they used to select Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips . Gilbert is a holdout. Phillips was waived last week after failing to show up for team meetings. Looks like a trade that hurt both clubs.

2. BROKEN RECORD
Barry Sanders is on pace for a career-best 1,903-yard season. Sanders 's second 200-yard game of the year came in a 32-10 rout of the Colts. The 216-yard masterpiece included his third touchdown run this season of at least 80 yards, an NFL record.

3. DON'T JUMP MIKE!
Saints hair-trigger coach Mike Ditka went off after a 20-3 loss to the Falcons. On Sunday, a week after talking brightly about the Saints ' future, he was all gloom and doom: "We're inept at every position. I'm probably not the answer for this team. If I'm out of the mix, they can probably win." On Monday, Ditka reversed fields again, saying, "I'll stay here until they run me out of this town."

4. FAIR-WEATHER BUCS
Tampa Bay , a 13-7 loser to the Bears in frigid Chicago , is 0-17 when the temperature at kickoff is 42� or below. That's bad news for a team that still must play two games at the Meadowlands, on Sunday against the Giants and on Dec. 14 against the Jets .

5. EARTH TO GUS
Redskins quarterback Gus Frerotte was lost for the final three periods after head-butting a wall at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium while celebrating his touchdown run in a game against the Giants that ended in a 7-7 tie. "Stupid thing to do," said Frerotte , who suffered a jammed neck. No kidding.