THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

Sam Farmer’s NFL rankings and comments

1. Tennessee Backs don’t come much tougher than Eddie George, who has never missed a game.

2. Baltimore Raven stock takes a hit with the loss of Jamal Lewis and Leon Searcy.

3. St. Louis Receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt will be tested right away by Philly’s secondary.

4. Denver A soft secondary is the Broncos’ only glaring concern.

5. Tampa Bay Warren Sapp, Marcus Jones and Simeon Rice form the league’s top sack trio.

6. Oakland If Rich Gannon stays injury-free, he has a chance at a third consecutive Pro Bowl.

7. Indianapolis Is Reggie Wayne a good enough receiver to take some heat off Marvin Harrison?

8. Miami Jay Fiedler is looking more comfortable, but has to stop forcing passes into coverage.

9. New Orleans Offensive line of Roaf, Turley, Williams, Naeole and Fontenot is the best in football.

10. Philadelphia Eagles are taking more gambles on defense, and they have the personnel to do it.

11. New York Giants Kerry Collins needs to prove last season was no fluke; it was his only 16-start season.

12. New York Jets Players are finally starting to grasp Paul Hackett’s Yellow Pages-thick playbook.

13. Green Bay Maybe Ahman Green can elevate running game that has been among league’s worst.

14. Minnesota Rookie RB Michael Bennett has pleased coaches but needs to improve as receiver.

15. San Francisco With Jerry Rice gone, J.J. Stokes gets another chance at a starting job.

16. Jacksonville Mark Brunell has missed only one game in two seasons, and the Jaguars desperately need him to stay sound.

17. Seattle No matter how good Matt Hasselbeck looks, he has to have someone to throw to.

18. Buffalo Fullback Larry Centers, a fine receiver, could be sack-magnet Rob Johnson’s best friend.

19. Pittsburgh New offense is supposed to take advantage of Kordell Stewart’s mobility. We’ll see.

20. Detroit Charlie Batch is feeling better after being hampered by knee, rib injuries last season.

21. San Diego LaDainian Tomlinson watch: the Chargers haven’t had a back gain more than 384 yards since 1998.

22. Arizona RB Thomas Jones, a first-round pick last year, has a better grasp of the offense.

23. Chicago One of the Bears’ few strengths: They can stop the run.

24. Atlanta Falcons should take a tip from the Vikings and Eagles--don’t ask too much, too soon from Michael Vick.

25. Washington Redskins open against their former coach, San Diego offensive coordinator Norv Turner.

26. Kansas City Dick Vermeil and Al Saunders don’t have the bodies here to impersonate the Rams.

27. Cincinnati Bengals are hoping defensive additions bolster woeful sack total of last season (26).

28. Cleveland At least the Browns have some talent on the defensive line.

29. Dallas Quincy Carter looks a bit better than a lot of people expected.

30. New England Patriots finished last in the AFC East the last two seasons. Anyone for a three-peat?

31. Carolina There are easier places to open than on the road against Minnesota.