Lamont Jordan

Baltimore police said they shattered one of the city's most ruthless drug gangs yesterday in a series of raids targeting a ring that city police and federal agents link to at least 30 shootings and several slayings.The alleged leader, Ronald Mitchell, 24, was arrested at his $1,000-a-month Baltimore County apartment and charged with distributing cocaine and heroin and conspiracy to commit murder. He was being held last night on a preset $500,000 bond.Thirty-five gang members were indicted on drug charges.

Coach: Ron Vanderlinden (1st season)Last year: 5-6, 3-5 ACCConference: Atlantic Coast ConferenceRadio: WBAL (1090 AM), WJFK (106.7 FM)Stadium: Byrd (48,055)Offense: MultipleDefense: 4-3Top returning players: LB Eric Barton, QB Brian Cummings, OT Daryl Gilliam, DE Eric Hicks, DT Johnnie Hicks, DE Eric Ogbogu, LB Kendall Ogle, TB Buddy Rodgers, TB Brian Underwood.Top newcomers: FS Tony Jackson, TB LaMont Jordan, H-back Matt Kalapinski, K Brian Kopka, WR Doug Patterson, DE Rasheed Simmons (transfer from Michigan)

COLLEGE PARK -- Promise revisited the Maryland football team during the third period of the Black's 16-13 overtime victory over White in an intrasquad scrimmage scrimmage yesterday at Byrd Stadium.LaMont Jordan, one of the few bright spots in Maryland's 1997 season and one player the team can count on in 1998, finally started performing like it. His running paved the way for the Black to win the scrimmage on a 42-yard field goal by Brian Kopka.He wasn't spectacular, but Jordan, a sophomore from Suitland who was the Atlantic Coast Conference's top freshman, made a series of punishing runs and gained 35 yards on seven carries to push the Black squad to its first scoring drive.

BaseballArizona Fall League: Named Marlins P Brad Penny and Rangers P Doug Davis top prospects.Athletics: Agreed to two-year contract with P T.J. Mathews.Cubs: Named Terry Kennedy minor-league field coordinator. Signed P Todd Van Poppell, P Daniel Garibay, P Dave Zancanaro, P Mike Heathcott, P Kerrry Lacy, C Angelo Encarnacion, C Alan Zinter, IF Chris Peterson, OF Tarrik Brock, OF Raul Gonzalez and OF Chris Hatcherthe to Triple-A contracts and invited them to spring training.Devil Rays: Named Matt Keough major-league scout.

COLLEGE PARK - Maryland quarterback Shaun Hill said last night there is a chance he will miss Saturday's game against West Virginia with a right shoulder injury that occurred in the closing minutes of the first half of the season-opening 17-10 victory over Temple last Saturday night at Byrd Stadium. "It's a mild strain or a mild separation," said Hill. "They're both about the same thing. I'm still sore, especially in the morning. But I'm going to try and play Saturday. I want to play in every game this season.

COLLEGE PARK - Maryland coach Ron Vanderlinden was still shaking his head yesterday over several calls that went against his team Saturday during a 30-17 loss to West Virginia in Morgantown. "There were some concrete things that were obvious on the tape," Vanderlinden said. "But you know I'm not allowed to comment on them. We sent the tape to the Atlantic Coast Conference office." The biggest call came with 6:38 left in the game when Maryland's Calvin McCall apparently scored on a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-inches from the goal line.

COLLEGE PARK - Yesterday marked the unofficial end of fall camp for the Maryland football team, which now turns its attention from general preparation for the 2001 season to its first opponent, North Carolina. About 250 people turned out to watch the team's final scrimmage at the school's practice field. The session focused on two-point conversions, two-minute drills and running out the clock over the last four minutes of a game. It was something similar to Thursday's closed scrimmage at Byrd Stadium, with myriad situations designed to make Maryland as game-ready as North Carolina, which played Oklahoma last night.

Jets (11-6) at Steelers (15-1) Line: Steelers by 9 Last time: Steelers 17, Jets 6 in Week 14. Ben Roethlisberger threw two interceptions and Chad Pennington three in a defensive scrum. Jerome Bettis threw the only TD pass on a halfback option, and ran for another. X-factor: Steelers WR Plaxico Burress missed the last game with a hamstring strain. His return opens up Pittsburgh's offense, and even if he doesn't make big plays, it should free up WR Hines Ward. Intriguing matchup: Pennington vs. elements.

1. Patriots Tom Brady has completed nearly 80 percent of his passes. 2. Colts Survived squeakers at Tennessee (22-20) and Houston (30-24). 3. Cowboys Top scoring team (38.7 points per game) in the NFL. 4. Steelers Willie Parker has three straight 100-yard games. 5. Packers Brett Favre can break Dan Marino's TD pass record today. 6. Titans Vince Young is developing into a pocket passer. 7. Seahawks Shaun Alexander will play with a cracked bone in his hand. 8. Broncos NFL's top defense will give Peyton Manning a big test.

PLAY OF THE WEEK T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincin nati at Kansas City -- Housh mandzadeh (39 catches, 360 yards, five touchdowns) has quietly become Carson Palmer's favorite target. In the past two games, he has 22 catches for 241 yards and two touchdowns. QUARTERBACK STARTING NOD -- Kurt Warner, Ari zona vs. Carolina: Fantasy owners were wrestling for his free-agent rights this week. OTHER SOLID OPTIONS -- Brian Griese, Chicago; Tom Brady, New England; Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle. NOT THIS WEEK -- Matt Schaub, Houston; Daunte Culpepper, Oak land; David Carr, Carolina.