Check the bell housing (top of tranny.. between TB and firewall)
You should see two rods/cables connecting to two different levers on the bellhousing... this is your shifter linkage.. if one popped off, you would get this... Also, have a friend row through the gears while you look at them both to make sure that both move in their intended directions (both back, and forth...)
Also, remove the shifter boot (inside cabin, pops right out after you unscrew the shifter knob) and look at that end of the linkage... the fact that you said its SLOPPY suggests the linkage inside the shifter boot came undone...)
Ray
