The Buzz

1. Despicable Act
"This is society," Browns coach Chris Palmer sighed after Cleveland tackle Orlando Brown knocked down referee Jeff Triplette for inadvertently hitting him in the eye with his BB-weighted penalty flag on Sunday. "I said recently, 'Someday a coach is going to get shot. I hope it's not me.' "

2. Millennium Man
Privately, the 49ers now acknowledge that concussion-ravaged Steve Young will probably find a doctor who will clear him to play next season. One high-ranking member of the organization goes so far as to say that Young will probably take San Francisco's first snap on opening day 2000.

3. Coach in Waiting
If you don't think Jets defensive mastermind Bill Belichick will be on the short list of teams shopping for a coach in the off-season, just look at how AFC East quarterbacks have fared of late against his unit. The Colts' Peyton Manning had his two lowest-rated games of 1999 against the Jets. The Bills' Doug Flutie says New York's defense is the toughest he faces. The Patriots' Drew Bledsoe is 1-4 in his last five games against the Jets. The Dolphins' Dan Marino has a 51.9 rating in his last three games against New York. So what if Belichick needs a Dale Carnegie course. He's the smartest assistant in the league. Period.