Jim Rome gives his take . . .

[Marcus]

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►JIM ROME GIVES HIS TAKE ON PRETENDERS AND CONTENDERS

There are no super teams in the NFL this year, just a handful of very good teams. There are pretenders, contenders and one team to beat. You can't call the Chicago Bears a contender when they're not even the best team in their own division. They don't beat Green Bay with Jay Cutler, and they won't beat anyone without him – pretender.

So much to like about the Texans, a game-breaking running back in Arian Foster, a game changing pass rusher in J.J. Watt, but a defense that's hemorrhaging that just made Chad Henne look like John Elway –pretender.

The Broncos are a force because Von Miller is a freak. And if they'd can get to the second round with Tim Tebow playing quarterback, think how far they'll get with a quarterback playing quarterback – contender.

As usual, with the Patriots, it's time Tom Brady, and his tight ends and a bunch of ghosts on defense. Their window has already slammed shut. They just don't know it – pretender.

I asked Aaron Rodgers if his team is Super Bowl good. He said not yet. He’s right. He's the best player in the game, but even he can't win a Super Bowl lying on his back. Not yet, not this year – pretender.

As for the quarterback issue in San Francisco, Jim Harbaugh can start himself, for all I care. As long as he starts Willis, Bowman, Smith and Smith on defense, nobody wants any part of the dudes in gold helmets –contender.

The Atlanta Falcons haven't shown up for a playoff game in the last two years. This year they finally ball- up because they finally D-up, ask Drew Brees – contender.

I love Ray Rice converting a fourth-and-29 for the Ravens. I hate that he needed it to beat the Chargers. Joe Flacco's mojo doesn't travel – pretender.

If I have to call my shot, I'm calling it on the 7‑4 snake in the grass, New York Giants. Nobody in sports flips the switch like the G-men. Get to January and ride or die with Eli, his freaky wide-outs and the QB killers on the D‑line. If I'm rolling with one team, I'm getting behind Big Blue.

[Allstar]

Patriots and Texans, both pretenders, happened to miraculously beat Denver, a contender.

[DocBar]

So much to like about the Texans, a game-breaking running back in Arian Foster, a game changing pass rusher in J.J. Watt, but a defense that's hemorrhaging that just made Chad Henne look like John Elway –pretender.

'nuff said

[Goatcheese]

If they don't get the pass defense worked out soon, I can't really argue with him. Imagine having to face The Fivehead again in the playoffs with the way things are now compared to how they played with a fully healthy defense. It would be ugly.

Luckily, they've still got a few weeks to work things out and get healthy.

[Thorn]

Everybody's got an opinion.

[DocBar]

Originally Posted by Goatcheese

If they don't get the pass defense worked out soon, I can't really argue with him. Imagine having to face The Fivehead again in the playoffs with the way things are now compared to how they played with a fully healthy defense. It would be ugly.

Luckily, they've still got a few weeks to work things out and get healthy.

If we face The Fivehead again, it'll be in Reliant Stadium. Eardrums will be destroyed and so will The Fivehead's mojo. Can you imagine how loud that stadium will be with the Texans facing Peyton Manning in the playoffs?

[Allstar]

Might as well piggyback this thread and post Peter King's top 5 teams:

Fine Fifteen

1. New England (9-3). What a schedule over the next two months, of games scheduled and not (yet) scheduled. Tick ... tick ... tick.

2. Houston (11-1). Just seven days until Texans-Pats, Monday-nighter, Foxboro.

3. San Francisco (8-3-1). Just 13 days until Niners-Pats, Sunday-nighter, Foxboro.

4. Denver (9-3). Just 48 days until Broncos-Pats, AFC Championship Game, Foxboro.

5. Atlanta (11-1). Just 62 days until Falcons-Pats, Super Bowl XLVII, New Orleans.

[michaelm]

It's hard for me to understand how I used to listen to his show.... it's time for Mr. Rome, to ride into the sunset with his millions, if you ask me...

[Playoffs]

Rome missed on the "do not suck" part.

[paycheck71]

I stopped caring about what this guy thinks around the time this classic ********* beatdown aired.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...UKTwgqeY#t=42s

[michaelm]

Originally Posted by Playoffs

Rome missed on the "do not suck" part.

Nice take, Playoffs.

"Rack Him!"

[Texans_Chick]

Wait, is there a BCS for the NFL that determines who will play whom for the Super Bowl?

No?

Well then.....


DDDOOOOONNNN'T CAAAAAAAARE

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by michaelm

It's hard for me to understand how I used to listen to his show.... it's time for Mr. Rome, to ride into the sunset with his millions, if you ask me...

His act is so not fresh...

[srrono]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=57W05-oopNA

[TEXANRED]

Jim Rome is probably still pissed cus his show was dropped in Houston.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Marcus

link

I'm not going to lie. If the Giants do it again this year, I'll be a believer. Last year I called on the Giants to be the NFC representative, because they were the most veteran team, their offense was clicking this time last year, and their defense was getting healthy.

This year, I'm just not seeing it. Their offense is hot & cold to me. Last year's xfactor (Victor Cruz) is just another receiver this year. I feel like their defense is trying to be what they were last year & it just don't work that way. Last year was last year. Like Jj Watt. I think he forgot last year a long time ago & he's trying to be the best he can now. While doing so, he totally blew last year out of the water.

I honestly thought the 49ers were going to the Super Bowl, but with the QB monkey wrench they threw in there it's wide open.

AFC wise. It's Denver. They're playing the best right now & they're getting better.

I'm not counting the Texans out. If we secure the bye week I think we stand a very good chance. I'm not worried about Jjo getting into "game shape" He can come in with no practice if he's healthy & be that guy we need him to be. I'm not worried about Brooks Reed. He's depth, we need him in the rotation, but I want to see Merci & Barwin grow in there current roles. I'm not worried about McCain, he's been taking a beating all year. He's a warrior, I like him, but I'd rather Brandon Harris grows into that role.

Our biggest issue is ILB. Sounds like we're going with Sharpton. He needs to grow in that role (MIKE). I don't know what the plans are for Dobbins & Rudd. I don't know which I prefer. But whoever it is, he needs to grow.

The only thing I'm worried about up front, is staying healthy. Those guys give it up every down, of every game. Leaving nothing on the field & it's just Jj, Antonio, & Crick. And they are all important, very important.

All that said, these guys don't quit, they find a way to keep us in the game, & the best team in the NFL is going to have a rough day when they're playing them boys from Kirby.

[Thorn]

It's nice that we can actually believe the Texans can make the Super Bowl. That in itself is a huge change from our past.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Thorn

It's nice that we can actually believe the Texans can make the Super Bowl.

I've always thought that.



May have been a little delusional.

[Corrosion]

Originally Posted by Allstar

Patriots and Texans, both pretenders, happened to miraculously beat Denver, a contender.

I can understand his reasoning for calling the Texans pretenders at this point a defense that is hemoraging because of all the injuries.

They ran out their 5th and 6th CB's yesterday against the Titans in the second half.
Four of their top 5 LBers are hurt too in Cushing , James , Reed and Dobbins and NT Cody was out for a while.

Thats about as close to a defense hemoraging as you can get ....

The fact that they have continued to post W's despite all those injuries does lead me to believe that Rome's opinion is wrong .... tho if they dont get some of these guy's back by playoff time and the quality of opponent improves .... we might be lookin for excuses again.


The Texans beat Denver when they were relatively healthy .... we're a long way from that now.

[Whats In A Name]

Originally Posted by TEXANRED

Jim Rome is probably still pissed cus his show was dropped in Houston.

this