Keith Jackson

CENTRAL%Division predictionIf Scott Mitchell picks up where he left off in the exhibition season, the Lions should win the division. The other four teams -- Green Bay, Chicago, Minnesota and Tampa Bay, yes Tampa Bay -- should be in a wide-open battle for the other four spots. Tampa Bay could get out of the cellar for the first time since 1988.1. Detroit Lions1994 record: Earned a wild-card spot with a 9-7 record, lost a first-round game to Green Bay.Coach: Wayne Fontes (52-53).Key additions: DT Henry Thomas, CB Corey Raymond, OT Zefross Moss, P Mark Royals and DE Luther Elliss.

Goodbye." It's a simple word, but sometimes it's just hard to say. OK, well maybe it's easy to say and hard to, you know, stick with it. That has been Brett Favre's problem. He has come so close to saying goodbye so many, many times. Then, in March, he did say it. There were tears and everything. But we all know what has happened since. Today, he'll be there when the Packers resume training camp. But before we accuse ol' Brett of an acute case of vacillation, let's point out that he's hardly alone.

COLLEGE PARK -- Part of wearing a maroon Poets jersey is being part of a rich basketball tradition. No. 15 Dunbar is known for being one of the best teams in Maryland when it comes to boys basketball state championship success. But being part of such tradition also means incredible expectations are constantly put on high school players' shoulders. Yesterday at Comcast Center, the Poets couldn't keep up with the speed of the guards of Snow Hill of Worcester County. They were crushed at the free-throw line and lost, 63-54.

HERNDON, Va. -- Don't remind Buddy Ryan that he's still looking for his first playoff victory as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.Ryan hung up on a conference call with reporters at Redskin Park yesterday after a question about his playoff record was asked.When the Eagles coach was asked whether his winless playoff record during his five-year tenure will put more pressure on him Saturday when his team plays the Washington Redskins in a first-round game, he said, "Nope, sure doesn't."

RICHMOND, Va. -- Last night, James Madison University coach Lefty Driesell had his team in position to make a 4-year-old dream come true. Instead the Dukes lost, 78-73, to Old Dominion University, the fourth-seeded team in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament."

Baseball Tampa Bay: Named Dick Crippen executive director of community development. Basketball Cincinnati (IBL): Signed G Melvin Levett for the remainder of the season. Richmond (IBL): Signed G Ledell Eackles. Waived G Kerry Thompson. College Awards: Broadcaster Keith Jackson, former Michigan State kicker Dave Kaiser and former UCLA receiver Al Hoisch were put in the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. Football Bears: Signed OL Keno Hills. Placed RB Curtis Enis on injured reserve. Broncos: Placed T Tony Jones on injured reserve; signed CB Jason Suttle from practice squad.

Our dear ELIZABETH was born in Ellicott City, Maryland, on January 7, 1912. The Angels rejoiced that year as did her family. She leaves behind to carry on her legacy of love and caring her daughter De and grandsons, Christopher Thomas, Davon and Keith Jackson, her beloved neighbor James Houston who is more like a son, her stepson Robert Tanner of Florida, beloved nieces who were more like daughters, Margaret Jones, Elizabeth Hemingway, Kathy Cooper, Marian...

MIAMI -- After a season in which one commentator after another opined about who's No. 1, network broadcasters turned surprisingly silent about the issue yesterday.In fact, if it wasn't for ABC's Bo Schembechler, and NBC's Paul Maguire, we wouldn't have heard any opinions from either network about whether Miami or Washington was more deserving. Schembechler strongly endorsed Washington; Maguire supported a split championship.The other announcers weren't willing to make such pronouncements.

Don't recall the ballots. Reggie Bush still deserved to win the Heisman Trophy, though Vince Young's performance in the Rose Bowl will rate as one of the all-timers, for sure. Is he the greatest college quarterback ever, as Lee Corso gushed after the game? Probably not. But man, what he did Wednesday night bordered on the supernatural. I still can't decide whether Young will make a good pro quarterback. That unorthodox throwing motion raises some doubts. He did lead the nation in passing efficiency.

Moves Baseball BRAVES -- Purchased contract of P Jeff Bennett from Triple-A Richmond. Recalled P Joey Devine and OF Brandon Jones from Richmond. Designated P Kevin Barry for assignment. DEVIL RAYS -- Purchased contract of OF Justin Ruggiano from Triple-A Durham. Colleges UNC WILMINGTON -- Announced that G Darryl Felder left the men's basketball team and withdrew from school. Football BEARS -- Terminated contract of P Dirk Johnson. Re-signed CB Ade Jimoh. BENGALS -- Signed LB Dhani Jones to one-year contract.