Rookie Lynch provides boost to 49ers' defense

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After giving the 49ers a pass rush boost Sunday vs. the Eagles, rookie linebacker Aaron Lynch will now be in the defensive mix. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Defense-Gets-a-Spark-From-Lynch-277600061.html

With Allen out, is clock now ticking on McKenzie?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Not all the problems of the Raiders are related to the head coach. The talent on the Raiders is questionable. Will GM Reggie McKenzie eventually pay the price, too? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Clock-is-Now-Ticking-on-McKenzie-277594481.html

49ers' winning formula isn't such a secret

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: When the chips are down, what do the 49ers do? Hand the ball off to Frank Gore on offense and stuff the run on D. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Go-Back-to-their-Future-277452101.html

Raiders have turned Reece into Invisible Man

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Versatile fullback Marcel Reece, one of team's best playmakers, has largely disappeared from offensive scheme. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Reeces-Invisibility-in-Offense-is-a-Raiders-Failure-277447831.html

Niners get physical with Eagles to stop skid

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Finally, the 49ers are recognizable in victory over Eagles to get back to .500 at 2-2. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Finally-49ers-are-Recognizable-277385911.html

Raiders show they can lose in England, too

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: No matter where they are, this year's version of the Raiders looks helpless and hopeless. On Sunday, they lost to the Dolphins in England to drop to 0-4. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Lose-Battle-of-Britain-277373801.html

Michigan freshman Zach Werenski eager to grow

Zach Werenski, one of the top freshman recruits in college hockey, is eager to make a strong contribution to the Michigan program. He's also been selected for the All-American Prospects Game. My story for USA Hockey. http://www.allamericanprospectsgame.com/news_article/show/423223?referrer_id=641381

Might be good for 49ers to play both halves

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Can the Niners actually play a full game vs. Eagles Sunday? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Need-to-Play-Both-Halves-This-Time-277216112.html

Secondary play may be key to 49ers' rebound

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Problems in the secondary have been painful for 49ers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Better-Play-from-Secondary-May-be-Key-to-49ers-Rebound-277078601.html

Raiders will miss Tyvon Branch (again)

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: How will Oakland make up for the absence of injured safety Tyvon Branch? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Will-Have-to-Make-do-Without-Branch-277074091.html

Bittner sought out challenges to improve his game

Paul Bittner left the comfort level of his Minnesota hometown at 15 in order to promote his growth as a hockey player. Now the Portland Winterhawks standout is among the nation's best players. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.allamericanprospectsgame.com/news_article/show/422222?referrer_id=836196

Harbaugh says 49ers will continue to push forward

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Head coach Jim Harbaugh, who always has own way of speaking, says his team will keep pushing until the team is "upright" again. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Harbaugh-Eager-to-See-His-49ers-Bounce-Back-276476881.html

Raiders are down but rookie class is looking up

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: From QB Derek Carr and linebacker Khalil Mack to guard Gabe Jackson and cornerback/returner T.J. Carrie, the Raiders' 2014 draft class is looking very productive. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Rookie-Class-is-Contributing-276464761.html

Niners have developed a split personality

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: What's happened to the 49ers? When did they get turned upside down? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Playing-With-a-Different-Personality-276022221.html

Raiders defense may have finally come together

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: After getting shredded its first two games, the Raiders defense played well vs. the Patriots. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Defense-May-Have-Turned-a-Corner-276009741.html

Niners fall apart in the Arizona desert

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Penalties, mistakes and a second-half collapse mark the demise of the 49ers in Arizona. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Flagged-With-Second-Straight-Loss-275947741.html

Raiders scare Pats, but fall short

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders play much better in a loss to the Patriots, but in the end it's just a third loss in three games. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Come-Close-but-Fall-Agan-275939181.html

Can Kaepernick rebound vs. Cardinals?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Colin Kaepernick will need to prove Sunday's collapse in loss to Bears was an aberration, when he faces Arizona this weekend. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/All-Eyes-Will-be-On-Kaepernick-vs-Cardinals-275740001.html

New England won't be a patsy for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Dennis Allen knows his Raiders have a stiff challenge Sunday in New England. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Face-Huge-Challenge-in-New-England-275736831.html

Krige Schabort lost his legs nearly 30 years ago, but not his competitive zeal; at 51, former South African now is world champion paratriathlete

Krige Schabort lost his legs while serving with the South African army in the 1980s, but has been a champion wheelchair racer. Since taking up triathlon, he's won the Ironman two times and now is a world champion. At the Rio Paralympics in 2016, he could be on the U.S. team in the sport's debut. My story on Schabort for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2014/September/18/Butterfly-effect-Krige-Schabort-tri-ing-for-2016-Paralympic-Games

Cardinals hoping to make statement vs. 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Cardinals can't seem to beat the 49ers, having lost nine of their past 10 to San Francisco. Can they change that this Sunday? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Cardinals-Hope-to-Make-Statement-vs-49ers-275606021.html

Raiders pick up ex-Chargers WR Vincent Brown

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders are hoping Vincent Brown can work his way onto the field this Sunday vs. the Patriots after signing the former Chargers wideout. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Hope-Brown-is-a-Quick-Study-275602221.html

American wrestler Adeline Gray wraps up a second world championship

Adeline Gray looked at her bracket and knew she had her work cut out for her at the World Wrestling Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. But after coming back from a 9-2 deficit in her first match, the Colorado woman couldn't be stopped ... and now has her eyes set on Rio in 2016. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/September/17/What-A-Day-For-Adeline-Gray

Hockey standout (and student) Tory Dello relishes opportunity in All-American Prospects Game

Tory Dello, a standout with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League and committed to play for Notre Dame, can't wait to play in the All-American Prospects Game to pick up even more knowledge about the game from teammates and coaches. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/420697?referrer_id=752796

Only a few of the hardiest marathon swimmers have accomplished the triple crown of open-water swimming

The English Channel, Catalina Channel and Manhattan Marathon Island Swim make up the unofficial triple crown of open-water marathon swimming. Each presents a different challenge and conditions, and fewer than 100 swimmers have completed all three. My story for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/11531299/endurance-sports-ultra-swimming-triple-crown-own-prize

Can Ward regroup and learn from tough night?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After giving up three TD catches to Brandon Marshall, can 49ers rookie DB Jimmie Ward learn from the experience? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Ward-Hopes-to-Learn-From-Rough-Night-275294581.html

Patriots likely to run straight at Raiders' midsection

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The New England Patriots last week loaded up with extra blockers and ran straight over and through the Vikings. Now they face an Oakland team that's giving up big chunks of yards on the ground. What could go wrong? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Patriots-Will-Run-Right-at-Raiders-275289991.html

Kaepernicking: It means peaks and valleys

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Can 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick rebound from awful night vs. Bears. Of course. He's done it before. But in two years, 49ers fans have learned they'll get some peaks and valleys from him. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/In-Two-Games-Kaepernick-Has-Peaked-and-Plummeted-275136411.html

Raiders' Allen, 0-2 in 2014 and 8-26, is in trouble

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Can Dennis Allen survive this 0-2 start? Right now it seems doubtful. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Allen-Now-8-26-as-Raiders-Head-Coach-275130951.html

Niners' big night ends in disappointment

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: It looked like everything was going the 49ers' way on the grand opening night of Levi's Stadium. And then disaster struck. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Big-Night-Turns-Ugly-275080231.html

Raiders get run over in home opener

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Houston Texans take good first-quarter lead then roll to victory over Raiders in Oakland's home opener. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-No-Match-for-Texans-in-Home-Opener-275067831.html

She set the marathon world record in 1967, but Canada's Maureen Wilton Mancuso then faded out of the headlines

At 60, Maureen Mancuso looks just like any other Baby Boomer out for a morning jog around her Toronto neighborhood. Her name, too, doesn't cause people to raise their eyebrows when they first meet her. Yet as a 13-year-old named Maureen Wilton in 1967, she set the women's record in the marathon at her first attempt at the distance. My story on Maureen, reflecting on her feat, for Canada's Impact magazine: http://www.vdocshop.com/doc/impact-magazine/so14-to/2014091201/#42

Bears wary of 49ers' offensive capabilities

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The last time the Bears saw Colin Kaepenrick, he carved them up. They don't want a replay. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Bears-Dont-Want-a-Replay-of-Last-Meeting-With-49ers-274900221.html

Raiders offensive line needs big game vs. Texans

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Can the Raiders block J.J. Watt and the rest of the Texans' front seven? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Offensive-Line-Needs-Big-Game-274894641.html

Niners may prosper vs. Bears' leaky run defense

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Bears run defense was the worst in the NFL last year and was exploited in a Game 1 loss to the Bills. The 49ers' strong running game may be a force in the regular-season Levi's Stadium opener Sunday night. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Bears-Defense-Appears-Vulnerable-to-49ers-Running-Attack-274760091.html

With Jones-Drew hurt, Murray set to play vs. Texans

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: A hand injury to Maurice Jones-Drew may finally open the door for Latavius Murray to play a key role for the Raiders vs. Texans. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Murray-May-Get-Chance-vs-Texans-274755091.html

American archer Brady Ellison is back on target after winning World Cup Final for a third time in his career

Brady Ellison, for almost two years, was the No. 1 archer in the world. But since 2012, his victories have been a bit more rare. But after winning the World Cup Final for the first time since 2011, Ellison says he has some momentum going into a big pre-Olympic year. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/September/11/Brady-Ellison-Proves-Hes-Still-A-Threat

American Paralympians feeling at home with so many world championships being held on U.S. soil

From the Pan-Pacific swimming championships to the world championships in cycling this year, U.S. Paralympians are feeling right at home with international events being held at home. http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/September/10/US-Paralympics-Athletes-At-Home-On-US-Soil

Hockey standout Kyle Connor: Michigan or the NHL?

Kyle Connor committed to the University of Michigan when he was a freshman in high school. Two years later, he's considered one of the best players in the U.S., and an NHL team might take him high in the 2015 draft. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.allamericanprospectsgame.com/news_article/show/417616?referrer_id=752796

Cornerback injuries concern 49ers for Game 2

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tramaine Brock, Chris Culliver and Jimmie Ward all went down in the season opener. The state of the cornerback corps is a concern heading into Sunday night's matchup with the Bears. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Secondary-a-Primary-Concern-vs-Bears-274476451.html

Raiders defense needs to rebound from opener

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders hoped their defense would be a pressuring, intense unit. But against the Jets, it was overpowered. Now what? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Defense-Fell-Far-Short-in-Opener-274472271.html

49ers' run defense better mind the gaps

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The S.F. run defense has been outstanding for several years now, which makes its performance Sunday vs. the Cowboys a bit troubling. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Run-Defense-Showed-Some-Holes-274336111.html

Mack's debut: Some good, some bad, some learning

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie linebacker Khalil Mack has a mixed-review day in his NFL regular-season debut. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Macks-Raiders-Debut-a-Mixed-Bag-274331561.html

Problems? What Problems? 49ers victorious in opener

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After injuries, suspensions and a lackluster preseason, many were doubting the 49ers. But San Francisco had no trouble beating the Cowboys 28-17 in Game 1 of 2014. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Look-Just-Fine-in-Victory-Over-Cowboys-274279541.html

Raiders hit a (Jets) wall in opener

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland thought its running game would be its strong suit in 2014, but in the opening loss to the Jets, it was absent. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Run-Into-a-Jets-Wall-274269851.html

49ers vs. Cowboys could be high-scoring matchup

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers' opening game vs. the Cowboys Sunday is potentially a high-scoring game because of questions about both defenses. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Cowboys-Game-Could-be-a-Shootout-274101861.html

Carr says he's ready for Jets' blitzes in opener

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Derek Carr goes into his first NFL game knowing that the Jets defense will be coming after him. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Jets-Both-Hoping-to-Start-Fast-274093221.html

For now, Derek Carr can do no wrong for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: As a high draft pick, much is expected of Derek Carr. And after his excellent preseason, Carr is the chosen one for the franchise. How long will it last? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/For-Now-Derek-Carr-is-Raiders-Chosen-One-273947621.html

Boone eager to start in Game 1 for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Alex Boone, his long holdout over, says he can start and be effective vs. Cowboys Sunday. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Alex-Boone-Eager-to-Make-an-Impact-273954161.html

Much-different 49ers defense to be challenged

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Can the 49ers' defense, with new starters at six positions in Sunday's opener vs. Dallas, adapt, improvise and overcome? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Defense-Faces-Biggest-Test-in-Harbaugh-Era-273580091.html