Bleacher Report - Articles by Juan Carlos Reyes

Is Roger Federer Better Than Pete Sampras with a French Open Win?

Juan Carlos Reyes — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:57:39 -0400

After No. 1 Rafael Nadal was surprisingly beaten in the fourth round of the French Open by No. 23 Robin Soderling, people are starting to believe that the door has been opened for Roger Federer.

Remember him?

He was the most dominating player in tennis at one point, until Nadal dethroned him last year in the French Open and in the best Wimbledon men's final in history.

Yeah, I said it.

After Nadal won his sixth Grand Slam title at this year's Australian Open against the No. 2 Federer, we saw Federer break down at the ceremony.

He has 13 Grand Slam titles and is right there behind Pete Sampras with a chance to tie, or even break, the record of 14 this year. After his Australian breakdown, you can tell how badly Federer wants this.

At the age of 27, Federer still has time to not only break the record, but squash it.

Of the 14 Grand Slams that Sampras had in his 15-year career, there was one major he just could not get: that damn French Open.

Now, with the quarterfinal looming against Frenchman Gael Monfils, it looks like it might be smooth sailing for Federer.

The last remaining players in the draw are 1-38 against him. Chile's Fernando Gonzalez is the only one who has beaten him, but he is 1-9 against Federer.

Now that we got the facts out of the way, the question looms: If Federer wins the French Open, does that make him better than Sampras?

I'm going to say yes.

At 27, Federer has 58 singles titles. Sampras finished at the age of 31 with 64 titles.

Federer already has more clay titles than Sampras (8-3). With a French Open title, he would have Grand Slam No. 14, giving him the opportunity for No. 15 at his favorite major tournament—Wimbledon.

First things first.

Federer would have to get that French title and become the sixth male in tennis history to win all four Grand Slams.

Fans easily dismissed Federer after he lost to Nadal in three of the last four Grand Slams, but if he wins that French Open title, all eyes will be on him again.

His quest to be the best men's tennis player ever will continue.

Nike's Worst Nightmare: Kobe Vs. Not LeBron

Juan Carlos Reyes — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:13:36 -0400

Don't you just love those Nike commercials that feature puppet versions of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James? Those are hilarious.

How can you not laugh at the overload of chalk due to LeBron's excitement for the postseason?

Tell me you didn't laugh at Kobe getting on LeBron's case looking for his championship rings. I dare you.

Whichever commercials you enjoyed, you have to think about how much Nike has been freaking out about the fact that the Kobe vs. LeBron final that everybody and their momma wanted is not going to happen.

After winning a franchise record 66 games, it looked as if the Cleveland Cavaliers were on their way to a potential NBA championship. I repeat: potential—as in it may not happen.

When I first saw the Vitamin Water commercial in which people are debating over who is better between the two players, I knew something was going to go awry.

Then came the Nike commercials. As funny as they are, the only way this campaign would really work is if both teams succeeded and did meet in the Finals. Looks like we're filing that in the "not gonna happen" drawer.

What Nike should have done was hold on to those commercials in case the Cavs and Los Angeles Lakers actually did meet.

Now it's time to play damage control. How does Nike salvage this? Unfortunately they can't unless they can quickly create a Dwight Howard puppet.

Last year when the Boston Celtics and Lakers made the finals, the split screen campaign was awesome—especially the one between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

This year, Vitamin Water and Nike must have called Miss Cleo and got the wrong information in believing that both teams would go all the way.

Unfortunately, they don't realize that the playoffs are a whole new ball game. It almost backfired when the Lakers almost got eliminated by the Houston Rockets a few weeks ago when they were pushed to Game Seven.

If they had lost that series and the Cavs still lost to the Orlando Magic, all Hell would have broken loose at Nike.

So what did Nike learn from this lesson? Nothing is ever set in stone.

Everybody wanted LeBron versus Kobe, but instead you got the Orlando Magic who was able to make LeBron James disappear.

Dear Brett Favre,

Juan Carlos Reyes — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:56:54 -0500

I was a fan of yours when you donned that famous No. 4 jersey in a different shade of green back in your days as a Green Bay Packer.

However, I felt like you turned your back on me, as well as some other fans in Green Bay, when you decided to part ways and play for the New York Jets.

After you made me waste tears—yes, tears—during your retirement speech almost a year ago when you said you were done, I thought to myself, "There goes one of the classiest and greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game of football."

Then came the little "itch" to play football again. Not cool, Brett.

However, there was a chance that you were going to come back and play for Green Bay, so I was going to forgive you and all would be right with the world.

Then, you got a little bitter when you were told that you were going to have to compete for the starting spot with Aaron Rodgers.

You pushed the brakes on your car, turned around, and said peace out to the people in Green Bay.

Then, the people of that town, who made you a hero, turned Rodgers into an unlikely villain. There was even a six-year-old kid who told Rodgers he sucks.

You decided to go from little 'ol Green Bay and hit the big city of New York, where you were put under the biggest microscope in the world because they are some of the harshest sports critics anywhere.

Oh sure, things looked pretty good in the beginning. Shoot, you even beat the New England Patriots and led the team to a division lead.

Then came a collapse that qualifies as a massive choke.

In the last five games, you threw just two touchdown passes and nine interceptions. The Jets were eliminated, your coach Eric Mangini got the boot, and you were hated on by some of your teammates.

Good job, Brett.

Now, would the same have happened in Green Bay? Probably not.

I guess playing in New York was a hard lesson to learn.

Today you are letting the public know you are retiring again.

This time, there will be no tears from my eyes. It'll be more like a sigh of relief.

Brett, I'm sure you are a good man with a big heart, but you upset me with your antics when juggling with your "retirement" of 2008.

Now that you are officially calling it a career (fingers crossed), can you do me a favor and stay retired?

You've had your moment in the limelight, and it's time to let someone else steal the show.

Regardless of the crap you put me and some of your other fans through, thanks for the memories...in Green Bay.

Let's just forget New York ever happened.

Sincerely,

Juan Carlos Reyes

Super Bowl Breakdown: Arizona Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Juan Carlos Reyes — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:05:53 -0500

It started with 32 teams. Fans from all over the country have been chanting that this is their year, that their team will go all the way.

The 30 teams that fell short feel disappointed because they did not reach the pinnacle of greatness in the NFL.

As for the other two teams, one game stands between making history or being a Jeopardy question under the category, "We're No. 2."

While one team may have been expected to reach Super Bowl XLIII, the other could be the biggest underdog to ever win the whole thing.

Congrats to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals for making this year's big game.

To say the Arizona Cardinals would represent the NFC in the Super Bowl before the season started may have been your ticket to the crazy home. I wouldn't even be surprised if there were people in Phoenix who didn't give their team a shot.

Yet, there they are, just two weeks away from playing the biggest game of their lives.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been on top of their game, for the most part, since the beginning of the season. They were the only playoff team with a bye week represented in the championship round, which goes to show you how hungry the wild card teams were this year.

They knew exactly what they needed to get through a tough AFC schedule for a chance to become the first team in history to win six Super Bowls.

Can it happen?

Here's my breakdown of the teams, and I will make my pick on who I think will win.

Defense

In the regular season, the Arizona Cardinals were ranked No. 19 in defense and Pittsburgh was No. 1. But after a stunning postseason for the Cardinals, which included eight interceptions, this defense has been impressive.

After picking off Carolina five times, you can't fall asleep on them. Although they were inconsistent the entire regular season, they have been able to keep it together in the postseason.

Pittsburgh maintains its threat as a defensive juggernaut, with four interceptions and eight sacks in two games, but can the Steelers' offense solve the mystery that is the Arizona defense?

Advantage: Push (I don't know which Cardinals defense will show up)

The Running Game

It's simple for the Cardinals: They don't have one, at least they didn't in the regular season. Averaging a less-than-stellar 73.6 yards per game, they have stepped it up with Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower in the postseason.

However, going against a defense that only allows 80.3 yards per game, they are going to have their work cut out for them.

As for the Steelers, the running game is solid and Willie Parker is healthy. Although the Cardinals have shown that their secondary defense is something to watch, their rush defense has a lot to leave to the imagination.

Advantage: Pittsburgh (If Parker is healthy, Arizona is in trouble)

The Receivers

Let the arguments begin with this one: I think the Cardinals have the best receivers in the league. I'm not talking postseason, I'm talking period.

Larry Fitzgerald is straight fire. He's got an NFL-record 419 receiving yards in the postseason and five touchdown receptions. WHAT?!

When he's not available, you have Anquan Boldin, who will be healthy come game day, and Steve Breaston.

They are a solid second and third option for quarterback Kurt Warner.

Pittsburgh's Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward are great receivers, but they don't put you in awe like Arizona's receivers. Yet, you never know what they might do week after week.

Advantage: Arizona (These guys look like they can catch anything)

The Quarterbacks

One of these two quarterbacks is on the verge of winning his second Super Bowl title. When Kurt Warner won his way back in 2000, at the tender age of 28, he killed it with a 414-yard performance that solidified him as one of the best quarterbacks in the game.

Unfortunately, he was plagued with injuries and bounced from team to team until he finally found himself with the Cardinals.

Prepared for the fact that he might end up playing backup to Matt Leinart, Warner fought his way to get the starting job, and he has been playing like his old (no pun intended) self again.

He threw for over 4,000 yards for the first time since the 2001 season. Warner is definitely back.

Ben Roethlisberger is only 26, two years younger than Warner when he won his first Super Bowl.

In 2006, he became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, but it was nowhere near as convincing of a performance as Warner's in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Roethlisberger was 9-for-21 for 123 yards and two interceptions in Super Bowl XL.

He had a questionable rushing touchdown, and despite the terrible performance, his team got him that ring.

Roethlisberger has been on and off this year, and he doesn't put up stellar numbers compared to Warner.

Plus, Warner's receivers provide stronger support than Roethlisberger's.

Advantage: Arizona (Unless some freak accident happens to Warner, his recent postseason performances have shown more spark than Roethlisberger.)

After the breakdown, Arizona seems to have a better edge than Pittsburgh. Although their defense is iffy, I feel that the Cardinals have the motivation that they need to win the Super Bowl...I can't believe I just typed that.

Final Score prediction: Cardinals 27, Steelers 20.

Feel free to leave comments. Thanks for reading.

Pete Carroll: Hater in the House

Juan Carlos Reyes — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 01:38:36 -0500

See the picture above? Those were good times. It seems like only two weeks ago. In fact, it was only two weeks ago when the USC Trojans beat the Penn State Nittany Lions senseless at the Rose Bowl.

Coach Pete Carroll was beside himself. He was thrilled about the opportunity to say that once again that USC is the best team in college football.

Carroll was extremely happy with the way his quarterback, Mark Sanchez, went all kinds of crazy with an impressive performance worthy of a ready to roll performance in the NFL.

After Sanchez completed 28 of 35 passes for 413 yards and four touchdowns, the rumor mill started grinding on whether or not the junior would jump ship and join the NFL or stay behind and give the Trojans a great shot of a national title in 2009.

The same questions were mulling over other underclassman quarterbacks that had outstanding seasons: Florida's Tim Tebow, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Texas's Colt McCoy.

All three of them decided to stay, which easily makes the Florida Gators, Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns favored for a chance at the National Championship.

On the very last day of underclassmen to enter the NFL Draft in April, one question was left unanswered. Is Sanchez coming back or not?

He declared.

While the Detroit Lions celebrated on the possibility of getting the 6'3", 225 pounder with a solid arm, one person got a bit sour.

Thursday afternoon, Carroll and Sanchez each addressed the media on Sanchez's decision.

Sanchez seemed to be all smiles about the fact that he's about to get paid. Carroll, on the other hand, seemed frustrated.

In fact, it got so bad that when they made the transition for Sanchez to talk to the media, Carroll walked past him and did not acknowledge him.

I found that to be very painful.

Usually a coach is there for his players and stand by them no matter what decision they decide to make.

Seeing Sanchez pretty much saying "Peace out!" was like a kick in the crotch for Carroll. It may be because when Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart had an opportunity to leave early, they decided to come back and when Sanchez leaving Carroll probably thinks his team is useless.

I sure hope not.

There's always going to be transition in college football. Players come and go. Some go early and in my opinion I have no problem with Sanchez joining the draft. I believe that he is ready to roll.

Carroll is too good of a coach to be so bitter about one quarterback leaving the game. Everyone knows that the Trojans always make good of their quarterback situations.

John David Booty faired well after Leinart left so why can't the same be said for Aaron Corp and Mitch Mustain who will be fighting for the starting quarterback spot now that Sanchez is gone.

Is Carroll really going to be that lost without him? It sure certainly seemed like that. Shoot, he should be proud, Sanchez will graduate in the spring with his degree in Communications.

Doesn't every coach want their players to get a good education?

As much as I think Carroll is one of the sickest coaches in college football history, I thought he was disrespectful to his, now, former quarterback.

Sanchez thought really hard about this decision and it was an adult decision in which he thought would be best for himself, and I can't get mad at that.

Arizona, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh: Oh, My

Juan Carlos Reyes — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:18:14 -0500

Who saw this coming?

Let me give you readers and idea who I had going to the AFC and NFC Championships before the season began.
For the AFC I had Indianapolis vs. Pittsburgh with Indy going to the Super Bowl.
For the NFC I had Dallas vs. New York.

Well...one out of four is not bad.

Then again, if you were to tell me that the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens were going to fight for a chance to make the Super Bowl, I would've slapped you and your mom. But I won't cause I'm not a violent person.

So now that we officially know which teams are playing in their respective championships, who is going to the Super Bowl? I have no idea, but I can at least try to analyze why each team can make it and why they can't.

Arizona Cardinals

They have a shot because: They probably have the best receivers left in the playoffs. If Anquan Boldin is better next week, this team is fire. You have a veteran quarterback in Kurt Warner who has been there and won that.

Add the other receivers Tim Hightower, Steve Breaston, and Mr. "I can catch anything" Larry Fitzgerald, this offense is ready to roll. Plus their defense surprised everybody against the Carolina Panthers. Not only that, they are actually hosting this game.

They don't have a shot because: Arizona in the Super Bowl? That sounds wrong and the Philadelphia Eagles are going to do what it takes to make sure of that. When they last met on Thanksgiving, the Cardinals collapsed against a resurging Eagles team that has now become the team that nobody wants to play against.

Baltimore Ravens

They have a shot because: Their defense is ridiculous. Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed, and Ray Lewis are three players I don't want to be near. Plus, people would love to see rookie quarterback in Joe Flacco going to the Super Bowl. They upset the Tennessee Titans and obliterated the Miami Dolphins. Who really wants to play this team right now?

They don't have a shot because: Their offense is pretty much a dud. Flacco only went 11-for-22 for 161 yards and that may not cut it against the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense.

Unless Flacco finds a way to throw for 300 yards against a defense that is slightly better than they are, Baltimore can at least say that they had a good run. They've played them close in the two meetings this season, but the Steelers are looking forward to shutting them down.

Philadelphia Eagles

They have a shot because: They crushed the Dallas Cowboys' chance to get into the playoffs. Even with an outstanding performance from Minnesota Vikings' running back Adrian Peterson, they still won. They just beat the team that I thought was the best team left in the playoffs, the New York Giants.

Now that we know that there won't be a repeat champion, can Coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb finally win it all? They are probably the best team left in the playoffs. Not bad for a team that finished 9-6-1. By the way, the one is a tie.

They don't have a shot because: Arizona has better receivers and a defense that has come out of nowhere. Despite the fact that Philadelphia owned them on Thanksgiving night, 48-20, it's a new ball game in the playoffs.

No one gave the Cardinals a chance against Carolina and if no one gives Arizona a chance, than the Cardinals have a BIG CHANCE. Trust me, after the Carolina game, I think Arizona might be ready to shoot down some eagle.

Pittsburgh Steelers

They have a shot because: They won the Super Bowl three years ago. Running back Willie Parker and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are healthy. Hines Ward is still a long ball threat and their defense is full of carnage with Troy Polamalu, LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons, and Defensive Player of the Year, James Harrison. This team is well rounded and ready to roll.

They don't have a shot because: They are playing Baltimore for the third time. The first two matches were close and their defense is practically as equal as they are. This match is going to go to whoever has the better defense.

Sure, Pittsburgh has a better offense, but if the Ravens can prove once before that you don't need an outstanding offense to win a Super Bowl they can do it again.

The BCS's Five Biggest Oops

Juan Carlos Reyes — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:50:53 -0500

As the Florida Gators continue celebrating their second BCS National Title in three years, you have to wonder about the BCS and how they seem to still not get it quite right.

I do believe that Florida is the rightful champion this year, but the BCS continues to boggle the mind with its flawed system.

We can continue to complain about a playoff system, but we can file that in the "not gonna happen" file. So I compiled a list of what I believe are the five biggest oops from the BCS.

5. Kansas goes to BCS game over Missouri (2007)

The Missouri Tigers were No. 1 heading into the Big 12 Championship game against No. 9 Oklahoma...and they were the underdog.

They had just beaten the No. 2-ranked Kansas Jayhawks—yes, those Jayhawks—to win the Big 12 North.

After the Sooners beat the Tigers, Missouri lost their shot at a National title. They dropped to No. 6 in the BCS Standings with two losses. Kansas was down to No. 8 and had a much weaker schedule, and their only loss was to Missouri.

However, when it came to choosing between those two teams to determine who was going to a BCS game, they selected the Jayhawks.

The Tigers had to settle for the Cotton Bowl against the Arkansas Razorbacks, while Kansas got all the BCS glory and faced the No. 3 Virginia Tech Hokies. The Jayhawks proved that they were worthy of a BCS win, beating the Hokies, while the Tigers blew out the Razorbacks.

4. Four undefeated teams—who plays for the championship? (2004)

The USC Trojans, Oklahoma Sooners, Auburn Tigers, and Utah Utes all finished their regular seasons without a blemish.

Who in the world plays for the National title?

Well, Utah plays in a “weak” conference, so let's get them a consolation prize and put them against a mediocre Pittsburgh Panthers team in the Fiesta Bowl.

Auburn started the season at No. 18 in the polls. As hard as the SEC is, their low ranking in the beginning just couldn’t get enough strength to muster a shot at the National title, as USC played Oklahoma for the championship at the Orange Bowl.

The Sooners got blown out by USC, 55-19. Three teams finished undefeated, but USC’s preseason No. 1 ranking helped a lot, as they held on the whole way through.

3. Texas gets the shaft (2008)

How do you beat the No. 1 team in the country, and yet they play for the national title and you don’t?

It was the question on everyone’s mind as the Texas Longhorns finished No. 3 in the BCS behind an Oklahoma team that was No. 1 despite being beaten by Texas.

Texas was No. 1 until getting upset by the No. 7 Texas Tech Red Raiders by a last second touchdown from quarterback Graham Harrell to receiver Michael Crabtree.

After the loss, the Coaches' poll dropped Texas from No. 1 to No. 7—behind Oklahoma, who was at No. 4.

As Texas did what they could to rebound their way into the top two again, the Longhorns found themselves back at No. 2 in the BCS. But the Sooners starting putting out 60 a game.

Because Oklahoma was winning big, the Longhorns were all of a sudden being ignored. The win against the Sooners meant nothing to the BCS, and Oklahoma went to the National Championship game after obliterating the Missouri Tigers in the Big 12 championship.

Texas did play in the Fiesta Bowl, but it left many questions to be answered wondering if they should have gone to the title game instead of the Sooners.

2. Miami vs. Nebraska (2001)

The Nebraska Cornhuskers looked absolutely unstoppable heading into their finale against their main rival Colorado Buffaloes.

The Buffs slammed their national championship hopes in their face with a massive 62-36 beatdown of the Cornhuskers. Then they won the Big 12 championship against the Texas Longhorns. Colorado was shafted despite being No. 3 because they had two regular season losses.

So who goes?

Why not the Oregon Ducks?

They only had one loss, and they were No. 2 in the Associated Press and Coaches' polls. They won the Pac-10 conference, so they should advance, right? Nope. Despite being No. 4 in the AP and coaches' polls and not playing in their conference championship, Nebraska still managed to play for the BCS National Title, where they got beaten by the Miami Hurricanes, 37-14.

1. No. 1 USC does not play for the National title (2003)

I give you the biggest oops in BCS history.

The USC Trojans finished the year as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press and Coaches' Poll. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Sooners got owned by the Kansas State Wildcats, 35-7.

In the Big 12 championship. Oklahoma was undefeated heading into the title game, but Kansas State had other plans. USC doesn’t play in a conference championship in the Pac-10.

Their lone loss came in a triple overtime thriller against California, who was unranked. However, USC was able to rebound and climb their way to No. 1.

Yet the BCS did not get that memo. Despite the loss for Oklahoma, the computers still thought the Sooners were the No. 1 team in the country. The BCS had Oklahoma at No. 1, while USC finished No. 3.

To this day, I'm still confused by how that happened.

Okay people, I would like to know what you think. Am I right? Am I wrong? Your feedback is always welcomed.

Thanks for reading.

Insanely Early College Football 2009 Preseason Top Five Poll

Juan Carlos Reyes — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:49:36 -0500

Now that the 2008 college football season has FINALLY come to a close, it's never to early to get ready to think of what may happen next year. And as premature as this may be since we're still not sure who's leaving and who's staying yet, I've complied a list of who I think are teams that will start the 2009 season in the top-5.

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Five Lucky—Or Unlucky—Candidates for Madden 2010

Juan Carlos Reyes — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:32:43 -0500

Face it everybody. If you don't want your favorite player to be on the Madden cover, they have to be mediocre. If there is a hint of greatness during your player's season, you better hope that EA is not watching. Next thing you know, they are on the Madden cover and become hated like Brett Favre, depressed like Vince Young, or forgotten like Shawn Alexander (who, by the way, is the man pitcured above in case you forgot who he looks like). NFL fans from across the land. Brace yourselves. Here are five candidates that I think are likely to be on the Madden 2010 cover.

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USC Does Not Have Case for National Title Share

Juan Carlos Reyes — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:31:53 -0500

The USC Trojans won their third straight Rose Bowl last night, 38-24, against the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Trojans quarterback Mark Sanchez had a field day, completing 28 of 35 passes for 413 yards and four touchdowns.

There's no doubt about it, USC is a great football team—but why do we have to hear this question every single year?

Do the Trojans have a case for a share of the national title?

The answer is simple. No.

The obvious argument would be the fact that USC lost to an unranked opponent, but so did the Florida Gators.

However, the Gators beat five ranked opponents, including the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide. The Trojans only beat three.

The SEC has the luxury of playing a championship game while the Pac-10 does not, which is unfortunate because Florida's win against the Crimson Tide is what helped them get that boost to the National Championship.

I understand that USC is a great team, but they are not the best. The BCS already decided that.

Last year, the Trojans thought they made a case after owning No. 13 Illinois in the Rose Bowl, and the LSU Tigers, who had two losses, won the BCS Title. USC felt like it deserved some love as well.

The only time USC had a case was back in 2003, when Oklahoma went to the title game despite losing the Big 12 title to Kansas State.

It's starting to seem like the Trojans are beginning to get a bit overrated, which sucks because they are a great team.

If they finished undefeated, this would not be a problem.

Of course, if there was a playoff this could be handled better, but there is not.

As long as the BCS is around, there are always going to be questions surrounding which team should play for the title.

Sorry, USC—it just wasn't your year, according to the polls. There's always next year.

Chase Daniel's "Small" Problem

Juan Carlos Reyes — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:46:27 -0500

Chase Daniel is one of those elite quarterbacks that make the Big 12 conference a mecca for outstanding quarterbacks.

A Heisman trophy finalist in 2007, Daniel is arguably the best quarterback in Missouri Tiger history. He has helped build this team into become a credible threat in the Big 12.

Although they did have some ups and downs, they still managed to go to their second-straight Big 12 Championship game. Unfortunately, they lost to Oklahoma, again.

Daniel, undoubtedly, has the numbers to have a shot at the NFL. This season, Daniel finished with 4,334 yards passing, completed 69-percent of his passes with 39 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. The interceptions are a bit of a downfall but when you see the other numbers, you can let that slide.

Hopefully Daniel decides to give it a try in the NFL in this year's draft. The guy is a thinking-man's quarterback and has what it takes to do some damage.

There's only one small problem: his size.

Sure, there have been plenty of successful smallish quarterbacks that have stood out as elite players in the NFL. Look at Drew Brees.

Listed at 6'0", Brees was just 15 yards shy of breaking Dan Marino's record for passing yardage in a regular season with 5,069 yards.

Brees was the first pick in the second round of the 2001 draft so his size wasn't that big of a factor then.

In that same draft Michael Vick, also listed at 6'0", was No. 1 overall.

But here we are in 2009 and while Brees is still doing his thing, other small quarterbacks have not been given a break.

Look at Troy Smith of the Baltimore Ravens. The 6'0" Heisman Winner of 2006 from Ohio State was drafted in the fourth-round of the NFL Draft. Two years later, the Ravens drafted 6'6" inch Joe Flacco from FCS Delaware as the 18th overall pick. Who gets the love? Flacco.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. You got to have your best player out there if you want to win.

So we look back at Daniel, who is listed between 5'10" and 6'0". Even with those numbers, you have to think to yourself, "Will this guy get any love in the draft?" I really hope he does.

It would be nice to see Daniel, who looks smaller due to his stoutness, get some NFL love.

I really believe that when the draft occurs on Apr. 25-26, that some team (*cough*Dallas Cowboys) give this guy a chance.

It would be a shame to see such great talent go to waste because in the NFL, quarterback size DOES matter.

Top 10 Games of the Year

Juan Carlos Reyes — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:42:45 -0500

Every year there is a time where sportswriters get all kinds of nostalgic and look back at the highlights that makes sports worth watching. As we look through this list, you'll see a team that forgot how to make free throws, a giant on the grass court go down before bedtime, a pair of brothers that have become the best siblings on a sports field since the Williams sisters and many more. A lot of the games on this list include comebacks. After all, isn't that what makes these sports great? Without furthur adieu, here is my list of the Top 10 Games of 2008.

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Top 5 reasons why the Cowboys failed this year.

Juan Carlos Reyes — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:55:04 -0500

They were supposed to be the favorite to win the Super Bowl. They got the talent on paper. A proven quarterback, a strong running back, superior receivers and a solid defense. They had the potential to be as good as the other pre-season favorite, the New England Patriots. However, when quarterback Tom Brady went down, it should've been clear sailing for the Cowboys. But the road was much rougher than expected. Here's a top 5 rundown of why the Cowboys blew a huge opportunity.

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