Funny pics, vids and more » the Angels will have one fewer question mark

RENTON, Wash. -- Trevone Boykin was inundated with congratulatory messages in the hours after making his regular-season debut as an NFL quarterback.For his first NFL experience stepping in for the Seattle Seahawks after Russell Wilson was injured last Sunday. For throwing his first NFL touchdown on a fourth-quarter pass to Doug Baldwin.Of all the congratulations sent to Boykin, though, one message in particular stood out. It came from Steve Faber, the father of Abby Faber. And if Abbys name doesnt sound familiar, thats understandable.But she is special to Boykin.It was probably one of the texts I will remember more than anything, Boykin said Wednesday.Abby Faber is a 7-year-old with cerebral palsy who first met Boykin at the 50-yard line in Ames, Iowa last October . When TCU played at Iowa State last year, Faber was an honorary captain and was wearing a Cyclones jersey for the pregame coin toss. Boykin, the TCU quarterback, leaned down toward the girl in her wheelchair and asked, Whats your name? Fort Worth Star-Telegram photographer Paul Moseley took a touching picture of the two that went viral.Even though they were there as Iowa State fans, the Faber family has remained connected to TCU. They were in Fort Worth, Texas, two weeks ago when the Horned Frogs played the Cyclones and Abby had a chance to reconnect with Boykin via FaceTime.So it stuck with Boykin when the message came up from the Fabers on Sunday congratulating Boykin on completing 7 of 9 passes for 65 yards in the 37-18 win over San Francisco and for what hes accomplished in becoming an NFL quarterback.It hit home hard just because seeing what she goes through and they support me and everything, Boykin said. Its fun. I love playing the game. I love doing this. I wouldnt change it for a world.Boykin could find himself in a bigger spotlight come Sunday when the Seahawks play at the New York Jets. Coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that hes moving forward with the idea that Wilson will be able to play despite spraining the MCL in his left knee during the third quarter last week.Still, there is a real possibility that Boykin will get significant playing time against the Jets.I went into practice last week just like Ill go into practice this week expecting to play. If not, Ill be ready, Boykin said.Backup quarterback was a major question mark for Seattle during training camp. The Seahawks had the luxury of an experienced veteran in Tarvaris Jackson playing behind Wilson the past three seasons. But Carroll wanted someone who was more of a running threat, similar to Wilson. He didnt want to have to adjust the offense if the backup came in.Boykin fit the bill, signing with Seattle as an undrafted free agent after sliding out of the draft in part because of his arrest in San Antonio in the days before the Alamo Bowl. It turned out to be another coup for Seattle. Boykin impressed enough throughout training camp and the preseason that Seattle felt comfortable going with the rookie instead of having a veteran backup.We thought it was a guy who could do what hes doing. I was kind of open to it from the start. I really wanted this to happen. I really wanted him to be the guy. I really wanted to get a backup quarterback that could keep us in the same system so we could really utilize the same run game principles as well as the passing style, Carroll said. He looked like a perfect opportunity there.Boykin made one mistake in his regular-season debut, throwing a fourth-quarter interception, but otherwise looked like a capable option if Wilson isnt available.Most of the motivation came from Russ, Boykin said. He came in his rookie year and like he said, he just tried to be the best him he can be. Thats how Im trying to do (it) is be the best me I can be and learn from him.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL T.J. 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The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Albert Pujols and Mike Trout just completed their fifth season together in the heart of the Los Angeles Angels lineup. They still havent won a playoff game, and postseason success has never seemed farther away after the Angels worst season since 1999.Trout insisted the distance isnt as great as it appears after Los Angeles needed a September surge just to finish 74-88.Theres a lot of positive things we can take away from this year, said Trout, who got engaged and acquired a puppy during the season. It seemed like every other week, our lineup or our pitching staff took a big hit, but we played good for the last few weeks.Indeed, several key starting pitchers and three top relievers all missed large chunks of the Angels season with major injuries. Not many teams would have the depth to overcome so many losses, but in Orange County, they only highlighted the Angels painfully top-heavy payroll and alarmingly shallow development system.C.J. Wilson made $20 million without throwing a pitch due to shoulder problems, while opening day starter Garrett Richards missed the final five months with an injured elbow ligament. No. 2 starter Andrew Heaney and right-hander Andrew Tropeano probably wont return from Tommy John surgery until 2018. Matt Shoemakers recovery is likely but uncertain after a line drive to the head gave him a brain injury late in the season.Not even another MVP-caliber season from Trout prevented the Angels from sliding 11 games behind last seasons record and a whopping 24 games behind the 2014 team, which had the best record in baseball. Los Angeles had the worst season in manager Mike Scioscias 17 years.We know we need to get better, Scioscia said. Were really confident we will get better. There needs to be some talent added. We all recognize that, but I think the core in there is championship-caliber.Scioscia is expected to return for his 18th season as the longest-tenured manager in baseball, and he plans to keep his coaching staff intact. Owner Arte Moreno also remains publicly confident in first-year general manager Billy Epplers ability to rebuild the Angels foundation after departed GM Jerry Dipotos stormy tenure.Many of the Angels problems going forward are of Morenos making: They already have more than $100 million coommitted to just eight players next season -- and one of those is Josh Hamilton, the long-departed outfielder still being paid by Moreno for the final year of his embarrassing contract.ddddddddddddHere are more things to watch in the offseason:FREE MONEY: The Angels spent to the luxury tax limit this season with the majors seventh-largest payroll, but the huge salaries of pitchers Jered Weaver and Wilson come off the books this winter. Eppler and Moreno likely must spend at least part of that money on new starting pitching, but the Angels finally have options after essentially sitting out of the free-agent market last year.RICHARDS RECOVERY: The Angels rotation plans hinge on the health of Richards, who decided to rest his arm while receiving stem cell therapy in an attempt to avoid Tommy John surgery. He is headed to instructional league play this week, and if he beats the odds and comes back strong, the Angels will have one fewer question mark. If not, Los Angeles has trouble before 2017 even begins.DREAM WEAVER: The Angels havent announced whether they will re-sign Weaver, the second-winningest pitcher in franchise history with 150 wins over the last 11 years. Weaver, who learned to eat innings with control and guile after his velocity declined in recent years, hopes to stay with his only big-league club -- and hey, the Angels clearly need starting pitching.MAYBE MVP: Trout has a strong case for his second AL MVP award after another superlative statistical season, but the Angels ineptitude could cost him the crown. The center fielder led the majors with 123 runs and 116 walks while batting .315 with a .991 OPS, 29 homers, 100 RBI and 30 stolen bases.EX MACHINA: The 36-year-old Pujols has hit the halfway point of his lavish free-agent contract, but still has five years and $140 million remaining. He made big contributions for his money this season: His 119 RBI were fourth-most in the majors and his best since 2009, while he climbed to ninth on baseballs career list with 591 homers. Pujols pursuit of homer milestones should provide entertainment in 2017, but the Angels must pray his production numbers at least remain stable. ' ' '