Tebow Time

Tim Tebow got his first NFL start during week 8 of the 2011 NFL season. How ironic it was in Miami vs. the Dolphins and during halftime the University of Florida Gators were being honored for their back to back championships a few years back, when Tebow led the way. Needless to say, the Dolphins sold more tickets to this game, even if it were probably more Florida Gator / Tim Tebow supports then Miami Dolphins fans. For 55 minutes Tebow played horrible, he was running for his life, getting sacked, not reading the defense or completed passes while seeing his team trail 15-0. Miami was in position for it's first win of the season. Not so fast Tebow utilizing his arms and legs drove the Broncos down for a touchdown, which made the score 15-7. Miami had the onside attempt in it's hands, it was dropped and recovered by Denver. Tebow once again utilizing his arms and legs, led Denver to another touchdowns with seconds remaining, nevertheless the Broncos needed a 2 point conversion to tie the game at 15 and send the game into overtime. Even with a Dolphins timeout, the Broncos spread them out with multiple receivers and allowed Tebow the run / pass option, quarterback sneak for the two points, OT here they come. The teams trade punts, Dolphins fumble the football on their side of the field during 2nd overtime position. Denver ran the ball 3 times and hit a game winning field goal as Tebow managed to win his first NFL start after struggling for 55 minutes and taking over the last 5 minutes. Denver will host Detroit Sunday, Tebow vs. Suh, that will be interesting.

St. Louis Native Wins NLCS & World Series MVP Cardinals Are 11 Time World Champions

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese has won the 2011 NLCS MVP and 2011 World Series MVP. Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies last achieved that in 2008 winning the NLCS MVP vs. Los Angeles and World Series MVP vs. Tampa Bay. Freese and his teammates refused to quit, captured the NL Wildcard from the Braves on the seasons final day, after trailing by double digits to start the month of September. Defeated the 102 win Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS by winning 1-0 in Game 5 taking the series 3-2, the Brewers would lose to St. Louis in the NLCS 4-2. St. Louis became a hot team, turned an unexpected playoff run into a World Series win, the 11Th in franchise history. Every night a different player from the Cardinals helped the team win and advance, none like Freese. Lets fast forward to Game 6 of the World Series Cardinals were one strike away twice, from losing the series. Freese tied the game late and actually won the game in extra innings, with a home run. Game 7 his team trailed 2-0, he tied the game up at 2 with a 2 out 2 run double, the Rangers would never score again. St. Louis won 6-2 and captured the 2011 World Series 4-3. Freese like Hamels in 2008, thanks to October success will become a house hold name and probably make the media rounds on television during the off season.

Where Does Texas Go From Here After Crushing World Series Loss

Texas Rangers fans, like their players have to be shell shocked. Texas lost the 2010 World Series to the San Francisco Giants 4-1. Nevertheless responded in 2011 with the most regular season wins in franchise history. During the ALDS defeated Tampa Bay, in the ALCS defeated Detroit. Even had a great Game 2 comeback in St. Louis to even the 2011 World Series 1-1 going back to Arlington. Defensively, the team hurt itself with errors losing Game 3, while trailing the series 2-1. Texas then responded by winning Games 4 & 5 at home to take a 3-2 series lead back to St. Louis. During Game 6, the Rangers and their fans were one strike away during the late innings and extra innings, from winning the World Series, only to see the Cardinals tie the game and eventually winning the game to force Game 7. Chris Carpenter the Cardinals ace pitched on 3 days rest, Texas would get 2 first inning runs only to never score again and lose the game 6-2 and World Series 4-3. Denying the franchise of it's first title and the city of back to back championship parades, after the Mavericks won the NBA Finals in June. Two straight years of World Series losses and this year especially in Game 6 so close, but could not get the final out. Nolan Ryan who runs the Rangers organization, will have to pick him team off the canvas this off season, in an attempt to try to compete and finally win a World Series in 2012.

Mike Richards Returns To Philadelphia Leaves With A Win

Along with Jeff Carter, Mike Richards grew up in the Philadelphia Flyers organization. Once the Flyers were swept out of the 2011 NHL Playoffs by the eventual champion Boston Bruins, the Flyers wanted to make changes. Carter was traded to Columbus, while Richards was traded to Los Angeles. Neither player was happy to hear the news they would be leaving Philadelphia. In 2010 a year before, both young men help lead the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals, before losing to the Blackhawks in 6 games. Obviously the Flyers brass wanted a fresh start. Richards came in Saturday with LA and left with a 5-4 overtime win. He was cheered and booed at the Wells Fargo Center. The former Flyers captain attempted to down play the game prior the start of the game. Nevertheless he had to have emotions in a place in which he spent so much time. Winning makes it all feel a little better.

Nelson Cruz Helps Rangers Return To The World Series

Following the 2011 World Series, the Texas Rangers lost pitcher Cliff Lee as a free agent to the Philadelphia Phillies. Texas had to watch San Francisco celebrate on their field as the Giants clinched the championship, after a Game 5. Now the Rangers will await the winner of the St. Louis / Milwaukee NLCS. Nelso Cruz won the ALCS MVP versus Detroit. He slugged his way through the ALCS with multiple homeruns and a ton of RBI's. Many Rangers fans hope come World Series time Mr. Cruz and his teammates can keep their hot bats going. If the Rangers continue their power, they'll have a championship parade in Arlington, TX and the franchise will have won it's first ever World Series. Nevertheless thanks to the MLB All Star Game, the NL team will have home field advantage.

Insult To Injury Philles Eliminated Howard Tears Achillies Where Do Phillies Go From Here

102 regular season wins a single season franchise record for the Philadelphia Phillies. With a 1-0 NLDS Game 5 to St. Louis, those wins or 5 straight NL East division titles meant nothing. Ryan Howard who struggled through the final 3 games of the series offensively, hurt is achilles , now it's been reported he tore it. Is it possible Howard could miss the entire 2012 season. Which would be year one of his 5 year $125 million contract. Having Halladay, Lee, Hamels and Oswalt didn't help Philadelphia win the World Series. Now with the likes of Madsen the closer and Rollins the shortstop as free agents, what will Philadelphia do. Will veterans Ibanez or Lidge who are free agents return, only time will tell. With Howard Philadelphia struggled offensively, without him how well will the offense do, it'll be an interesting off season for the Phillies. Obviously the time is running short on the core of this team to win another World Series.

Carpenter, Cards End Phillies World Series Dreams

Funny how in life things come full circle, the same thing could be said in sports. Chris Carpenter faced Roy Halladay in Game 5 of the NLDS. The two friends were teammates in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Both pitchers won Cy Young awards in their careers. However Carpenter has a 2006 World Series title with St. Louis, something Halladay doesn't have. Which is the main reason Roy came to Philadelphia from Toronto. Friday heading into Citizens Bank Park, both players would make their second start of the series. Halladay won Game 1 after giving up 3 first inning runs, Carpenter received a no decision after St. Louis won Game 2 in Philadelphia. Huge win for the Cardinals after Carpenter started on 3 days rest and left after 3 innings. The Cards managed to catch Cliff Lee and the Phillies, they turned a 4-0 deficit into a 5-4 win to tie the series at 1. Halladay gave up 2 extra base hits which led to 1-0 1st inning lead in Game 5. Philadelphia bats went silent after 102 regular season wins, a franchise record. Halladay would pitch 8 innings, Carpenter would pitch St. Louis into the NLCS with a complete game 3 hit shutout. As St. Louis moves on, so may off season questions will present itself in Philadelphia.