Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Swimmer Herendeen, following extensive knee surgery, is eager to win a medal at Rio in his final Paralympics

Dalton Herendeen was ready to retire after injuring his knee in 2015 during the Paralympic World Championships. But the swimmer had surgery and rehab and has persevered. Now he's heading to his second Paralympics, this time intent to win a medal. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2016/August/30/Once-Ready-To-Retire-Swimmer-Dalton-Herendeen-Instead-Is-Ready-For-Rio

Raiders' Taiwan Jones may be on the roster bubble

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Three young running backs, who can also return kicks, may jeopardize veteran Taiwan Jones' spot on the Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Will-Raiders-Taiwan-Jones-Keep-His-Roster-Spot-391887941.html

49ers' last exhibition game will be the Colin Kaepernick Show

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Colin Kaepernick will be under the spotlight when he plays vs. the Chargers Thursday night. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Kaepernick-in-the-Spotlight-for-Thursdays-Exhibition-Finale-391884601.html

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Friday, August 26, 2016

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Cyclist Jill Walsh has adapted to MS and become a standout on three wheels, now with a ticket to Rio for the Paralaympics

Former New York State Trooper Jill Walsh was a triathlete and cyclist until multiple sclerosis didn't allow those pursuits. But after adapting to a three-wheeled bike, she's earned her spot on the U.S. team at the Paralympics in Rio. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2016/August/23/One-On-A-Trike-How-Jill-Walsh-Became-A-Paralympic-Favorite-On-Three-Wheels

Menelik Watson is showing coaches he belongs at right tackle

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Menelik Watson has edged ahead of Austin Howard in the battle for the right tackle spot. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Watson-Showing-the-Right-Stuff-at-Right-Tackle-391038111.html

Ronald Blair is a disruptive, versatile defensive lineman

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie Ronald Blair is showing he can play all along the defensive front and be a disruptor. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Rookie-Blair-Showing-He-Can-be--391043721.html

Raiders' Joseph believes he's making consistent progress

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie safety Karl Joseph is feeling better physically and mentally in the Raiders secondary. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Karl-Joseph-is-Seeing-Consistent-Progress-390925151.html

Ponder returns to the NFL with a great performance

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB Christian Ponder, just days after signing with 49ers, puts on a great show. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Ponder-Returns-to-NFL-in-Spectacular-Fashion-390921371.html

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Got junk? If you do, these San Diego businessmen -- who never imagined they'd go into junk removal -- will haul it away for you

One started out as a restaurant manager. Another trained to be a firefighter. A third switched from the corporate world. All are in the business of collecting junk, a line of work they never, ever considered but have loved. They have stories about finding the good, the bad and the truly gross. My story for the San Diego Union-Tribune: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/aug/18/junk-removers-dream-job-work/

Friday, August 19, 2016

Raiders offense is sluggish in exhibition loss to Packers

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders have some work to do to get their offense back on track. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Have-Work-to-do-to-With-Rushing-Attack-390701011.html

Bad sportsmanship at an Olympics? It's been a common theme since the re-birth of the Games in 1896

Did you hear the one about the fencer who cheated with an electronically-altered epee? Or the taekwondo fighter who kicked the referee when he didn't like a decision? Or the South American basketball team that fouled its way to a bronze medal? Or the marathon winner who rode 11 miles in a car ... but was turned in by his competitors and fans? They all come from the Summer Olympic history book. My story for ESPN.com: http://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/17337637/a-short-history-long-tradition-bad-sportsmanship-summer-olympics

Trio of draftees looks solid for Raiders vs. Green Bay

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Young Raiders defenders Joseph, Ward and Calhoun look good in game vs. Packers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Young-Raiders-Defenders-Look-Good-in-Loss-to-Packers-390657201.html

Veteran Brooks off to good start for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Linebacker Ahmad Brooks is playing as good as ever so far in 2016. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Veteran-Brooks-is-Performing-at-a-High-Level-390574922.html

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Bahamian's dive at the finish line in Rio joins a long list of Olympic events that have ended in memorable and unusual ways

Most Olympic events come to an end without a strange twist, but those that have had a touch of bizarre to their finish have sometimes been the most memorable. Consider a marathon victor who wasn't, a water polo game that was too violent to continue and a basketball game with three outcomes. My story on strange Olympic finishes for ESPN.com during the Rio Games: http://www.espn.com/olympics/trackandfield/story/_/id/17323714/10-most-bizarre-endings-summer-olympics-history

Armstrong makes case in 49ers' 3-way linebacker battle

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Ray-Ray Armstrong has a strong first game as he battles Michael Wilhoite, Gerald Hodges for starting inside linebacker spot. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Armstrong-Making-Strong-Case-in-Linebacker-Competition-390447331.html

Raiders will need Autry to step up after Edwards goes down

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Denico Autry will step into the void left by Mario Edwards, the defensive end who will be out several weeks. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/With-Edwards-Done-Autry-Will-Step-Up-390443541.html

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Friday, August 5, 2016

What do American Olympians do with their medals? Just about everything

Greg Louganis gave away a notable gold medal from 1988 to the woman who lost a son because of AIDS. Tommie Smith keeps his 1968 gold -- a piece of history, following his victory-stand black-power salute with John Carlos -- locked away in a vault. I contributed to this story for ESPN.com: http://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/17220919/what-athletes-do-their-olympic-medals-stash-sell-show-give-away

Active, energetic Robinson is shining at cornerback

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Cornerback Rashard Robinson talks a good game ... but he's also backing it up in his rookie 49ers training camp. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Feisty-Rookie-Robinson-Making-Some-Noise-in-Secondary-389300212.html

Carr likes Raiders' feisty training camp

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: There have been plenty of scuffles so far in Raiders training camp, and QB Derek Carr approves. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Showing-Plenty-of-Fire-in-Training-Camp-389295152.html

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Trent Brown working to keep his job at right tackle

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Trent Brown says he welcomes the competition at right tackle, where former starter Anthony Davis has come out of retirement. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Brown-Welcoming-the-Competition-at-Right-Tackle-389186522.html

Has Kahlil Mack gotten even better?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders seem to be awed by what Khalil Mack can do. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/After-Big-Season-Raiders-Mack-Appears-to-be-Even-Better-389182832.html

Ricky Robertson long road to the Olympics -- that included injuries and work to finance his quest -- finally pays off for the elite high jumper

Ricky Robertson is only 5-foot-10 or so, but he's a world-class leaper. The former University of Mississippi high jumper has achieved a long goal by qualifying for the Rio Olympics. It's been years of working on the side to help support himself, while training. Now it's paid off. Part of a series for DiscoverSD magazine on working Olympic athletes. http://www.discoversd.com/news/2016/aug/03/olympics-ricky-robertson/

Years of work for Olympic hopeful Jared Schuurmans were wiped out on one rainy day

Discus thrower Jared Schuurmans worked odd jobs across the U.S. for years to fund his training, and it appeared he would finally achieve his Olympic dream, after winning the 2015 national championship. But then that dream was shattered on a wet afternoon at the Olympic Trials. My story for DiscoverSD magazine, as part of an Olympic preview on working athletes ahead of the Rio de Janeiro Games. http://www.discoversd.com/news/2016/aug/03/jared-schuurmans-discus/