Niners have reason to be worried about Akers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Last season, kicker David Akers was almost flawless. This season, he's been plagued by inconsistency. Could 49ers release him before the playoffs? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Akers-Inconsistency-Has-49ers-Worried-185299862.html

It appears Raiders may soon eject Knapp

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: According to reports, Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp may soon be looking for a new job. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Reports-Indicate-Raiders-Will-Fire-Knapp-185293942.html

49ers beat Cards, earn NFC West title and first-round bye

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco rebounds after a tough loss to Seattle to beat Arizona in regular-season finale to capture NFC West title a second straight year. Plus, everything else goes the Niners' way to give them a first-round playoff bye, too. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Win-NFC-West-Earn-First-Round-Bye-185237922.html

Raiders lose finale, but Pryor makes it interesting

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Terrelle Pryor's first NFL start at QB provides some highs and lows -- and food for thought -- in final game of 2012, a loss to Chargers to drop team to 4-12. What's next? A lot of changes, no doubt. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/For-Raiders-Pryor-Makes-Final-Loss-Interesting-185235612.html

Musician feels "blessed" to have opened studio

Tina Rose never considered opening her own music studio. As a professional singer, she traveled the country performing, hopping from one place to the next. Then, five years ago, her sister suggested she open a studio and share her passion for music with others. Today, Rose says she feels blessed that her Desert Rose Studios in Santee has made a connection with so many others.  My story on Rose for the On the Job series for the Santee Patch website: http://santee.patch.com/articles/musician-feels-blessed-in-santee

For 49ers, game against Cards is crucial

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners already are in the playoffs, but how they do against Arizona Sunday could have a big impact on their playoff scenario (and mindset). http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Much-is-Riding-on-Sundays-Game-185053611.html

For some, Raiders' finale is a tryout for 2013 season

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders will regroup and start working toward 2013 after this Sunday's finale, but some players (and coaches) can make a statement about their worth for the team's future. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Final-Game-Also-a-Lead-in-to-2013-185049101.html

Justin Smith's absence will hurt 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Justin Smith is the heart and soul of the 49ers defense. Without him, Niners will be hard pressed to be the same hard-nosed team. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Justin-Smiths-Absence-Hurts-49ers-184942681.html

Raiders must start Pryor in finale

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders must start Terrelle Pryor in the season finale. They have nothing to lose and much to gain about the abilities of their young QB. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Should-Avoid-Pryor-Restraint-184937101.html

Suddenly, 49ers' injuries are mounting

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Mario Manningham, Justin Smith injuries are latest in a recent series of injuries that are leaving the 49ers thin in several areas. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Injuries-Mounting-for-49ers-184823701.html

What will be fate of Raiders' coordinators?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: If head coach Dennis Allen survives this offseason, what about his coordinators? Are Greg Knapp and Jason Tarver in trouble? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Season-of-Disappointment-Could-Spur-Changes-184819641.html

What's a Eutectic? The nickname for the teams of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy makes sense only to pharmacists

When teams for the St. Louis College of Pharmacy play on the road, the No. 1 question opposing fans have is, "What's a Eutectic?" The nickname makes the pharmacy students smile and makes everyone else scratch their heads. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/16149/meet-the-eutectic-st-louis-mystery-mascot

Niners, 'punched in the face,' must quickly rebound

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: A staggering, lopsided loss in Seattle Sunday night to the Seahawks leaves the Niners with concerns and injuries heading into final regular-season game. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Must-Rebound-Quickly-184686911.html

Raiders have no confidence in Pryor

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Even as their season winds to an end, the Raiders are reluctant to give Terrelle Pryor any significant playing time. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Showing-No-Confidence-in-Pryor-184683761.html

Seattle rains points on 49ers in lopsided showdown

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: It was the worst loss in the Jim Harbaugh era in San Francisco, and one that will no doubt prompt many questions as the 49ers head toward the playoffs. Sunday night's 42-13 loss in Seattle was a wipeout. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Seattle-Rains-Points-on-49ers-184640801.html

Raiders beaten, Palmer injured in Carolina

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: How bad can it get for the Raiders? Not only does Oakland fall to 4-11 in Carolina, but it loses QB Carson Palmer, too. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Go-Quietly-in-Carolina-184622051.html

Second 49ers-Seahawks game should be like the first

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers and Seahawks have the two best scoring defenses in the NFL, so Sunday night's game is likely to be much like the first meeting this season between the two that resulted in a 13-6 49ers win. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Expect-Tight-Physical-Game-184433621.html

Raiders will have to stop Cam Newton Sunday

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: How do you stop Cam Newton? And how do you stop him with one of the NFL's worst defenses? That's the Raiders task this Sunday in Carolina. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Will-Have-to-Dog-Carolinas-Top-Cat-184425891.html

Will Kaepernick-Davis connection ever start clicking?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In the past four games, tight end Vernon Davis has four catches, total. For one of the best tight ends in the NFL, it's a surprising lack of productivity. But Davis says it's just a matter of time until he and quarterback Colin Kaepernick develop a chemistry. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Vernon-Davis-Has-Disappeared-184288371.html

Raiders feeling more positive about running game

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Signs that the Raiders running game has picked up in recent weeks have some on the team hopeful that 2013 will produce better results. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-No-Longer-Stumbling-in-Running-Game-184283061.html

Kim Rhode still has her eyes on the next target

Five-time Olympian Kim Rhode is expecting her first child this May, but that doesn't mean she's going to put her shooting career off to the side. She expects to be back competing in late 2013 and in full stride soon after in preparation for her sixth Olympics at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Rhode, who has five medals, including three golds, says she still has plenty of room for improvement. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/December/18/The-Long-And-Winding-Rhode.aspx

Surging 49ers now face another big test

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After beating the Patriots, the 49ers are now being called by some the favorite to win the Super Bowl. But head coach Jim Harbaugh is just trying to get his coaches and players focused on beating a hot Seattle team Sunday night. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/After-Passing-One-Test-49ers-Now-Face-Another-183961011.html

Palmer isn't to blame for bad Raiders season

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders are 4-10 and need to rebuild, but quarterback Carson Palmer isn't the reason for their failures. All things considered, he should return to be QB next season, too. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Palmer-Seems-Likely-to-be-Raiders-QB-Again-in-2013-183955041.html

Why did Harbaugh choose Kaepernick? Look at Pats game

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: For those questioning why Jim Harbaugh made Colin Kaepernick his starting QB over a very solid Alex Smith, just look at San Francisco's win over New England. With Kaepernick playing well, the 49ers look almost unbeatable. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Kaepernick-Has-Made-49ers-More-Explosive-on-Offense-183798951.html

For one game, at least, Raiders can run the ball

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The offensive line controlled the Chiefs' defense and opened holes for Darren McFadden & Co. in 15-0 win by Raiders over woeful Kansas City. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/For-One-Game-Raiders-Running-Game-is-up-to-Speed-183792551.html

Kevin Bradshaw, once a big-time scorer at little USIU, is a forgotten points machine, but his marks have stood the test of time

In the 1990-91 season, Kevin Bradshaw was about all U.S. International University had. He was a sharp-shooting guard who could hit three-pointers and drive to the hoop, and scored an NCAA-record 72 points in one game. He also averaged more than 37 points in a season, an average no one has approached in the 10 years before he came along and in the 21 years since his college career came to an end. My story on Bradshaw, the forgotten scoring champion, for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/15478/the-scoring-machine-youve-never-heard-of

49ers win wild duel with the Patriots

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: LaMichael James' long kickoff return in the fourth quarter set up a go-ahead touchdown and a 41-34 victory over the Pats in cold, wet New England. Oh, and it clinched a playoff spot, too. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Win-Wild-Duel-With-Patriots-183737701.html

Raiders find cure for their ills: the Chiefs

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: What's the best way for a bad Raiders team to get a win? Play the Chiefs, perhaps one of only two worse teams in the league. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Shut-Out-the-Chiefs-183724711.html

Niners will have to win a shootout with Patriots

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers won't be able to just rely on their defense to beat the Patriots Sunday night. Their offense will have to score 30 or more points as well. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Offense-Will-Need-a-Big-Game-to-Beat-Patriots-183515321.html

Raiders, Chiefs just playing out season, looking toward '13

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders and Chiefs are going nowhere this season except toward a high draft choice in 2013. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Chiefs-Game-Isnt-What-it-Was-183509321.html

Dedicated fans of defunct sports leagues -- the USFL, NASL, XFL, ABA, AFL and WFL, etc. -- keep them alive through their tribute websites

They're all gone now, the leagues with funky balls, funky rules and funkier personalities. But those defunct sports experiments such as the XFL, USFL, WFL, NASL, ABA and AFL are being kept alive with rich, interesting websites carefully tended by dedicated and nostalgic fans. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/15172/fans-keep-old-leagues-alive-on-the-web

Cal State San Marcos business professor connects with students through his decades of experience

Professor Jim Hamerly has been a "serial entrepreneur" in the real world, a part of start-ups for three decades. He's also worked for some of the largest, most successful corporations in the country. It's from this base that Hamerly can help business students at Cal State San Marcos launch their careers. My story on Hamerly for the "On the Job" series for the North County edition of U-T San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/dec/14/entrepreneur-shows-students-the-ropes/

Niners' defense will get severe test by Patriots

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: How can any team slow down on a Patriots offense that's been red hot lately? The 49ers' defense will be tested, but it is much stouter than most in the NFL. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Hoping-to-Cool-Off-Patriots-183369891.html

Raiders' Seymour is back ... but not for long

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Richard Seymour will return after missing five games with an injury, but the final three games of the 2012 are expected to be his last in a Raiders uniform. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Seymours-Raiders-Career-is-Winding-Down-183361491.html

Construction continues, but Sochi is ahead of the curve in preparation for hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics

Most of the venues are complete, yet construction crews are still working around the clock to build roads, a high-speed rail line and more hotels and infrastructure around Sochi, the Russian city on the Black Sea that will host the 2014 Winter Olympics. All in all, those who have visited the region say the Russians will be ready to welcome the world in a little more than a year. My story for the U.S. Olympic site, TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/December/12/So-Far-Sochi-Is-So-Good.aspx

On 12-12-12, a look at the tradition of the "12th Man" in football: at Texas A&M and Seattle, it has special meaning

In 1922, student E. King Gill came out of the stands to suit up for the Texas A&M football team when it had just 11 players available for a big game. Though Gill wasn't needed, he became the Aggies' 12th Man, and the school has celebrated his readiness and spirit ever since. In the decades since, other college and NFL teams have paid homage to their fans, a so-called 12th man that has put them over the top with their support and energy. But nowhere is the 12th Man more celebrated than in College Station, Texas in Aggieland, and in Seattle by Seahawks fans. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/15256/12-12-12-is-ultimate-day-for-am-12th-man

How tweet it wasn't; 49ers suspend Jacobs

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Make no mistake, Jim Harbaugh runs the 49ers. And if you're not onboard with his plan, you're likely to find yourself thrown overboard, as Brandon Jacobs was. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Jacobs-Pays-the-Price-for-Challenging-Harbaugh-183006661.html

Raiders haven't turned corner on cornerback woes

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Can anyone in silver and black play cornerback? With the waiving of Ronald Bartell, the team's turnstile at corner continues to spin. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Turnstile-at-Cornerback-Still-Spinning-182999321.html

LaMichael James Gives 49ers 'fresh legs'

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After standing on the sideline all season, rookie LaMichael James finally gets to show what he can do in a game. He may prove vitally important for the 49ers in December and January. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/James-Gives-49ers-Running-Game-a-Jolt-182838211.html

Draft position on the line in Raiders vs. Chiefs

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: the Raiders and Chiefs are out of the playoff hunt, but not out of the race for the NFL's top overall pick next April. Sunday's game is meaningful because of it. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Draft-Status-on-the-Line-in-Raiders-Chiefs-Game-182831091.html

It's a hoops manager's dream: Sometimes, they get a chance to move from handing out towels to handing out assists

They spend thousands of hours with the team, doing all the little things that are necessary to keep it functioning. College basketball's student managers hand out towels, drive coaches to the airport, edit film and sometimes fill in on the scout team. But, every now and then, a manager gets the chance to fulfill a dream and be activated as a player. Though it's rare, the managers who have gone through the metamorphosis have the experience of a lifetime. My story on their stories, for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/15151/hoops-managers-get-shot-at-playing-time

49ers rebound, easily beat Dolphins

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The San Francisco defense was solid again, and Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore combined to lead the 49ers to their ninth win after last week's disappointing loss to the Rams. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Rebound-With-Victory-Over-Miami-182757271.html

Season's pattern indicates 49ers will beat Dolphins

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After losing to the Rams in overtime last week, the 49ers are likely to get back on the winning track this week. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Hope-to-Rebound-vs-Dolphins-182549241.html

Will Raiders run out of patience with McFadden?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Darren McFadden returned to the Raiders Thursday night ... and then was injured again. Will the Raiders run out of patience with their often-injured star? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/McFaddens-Return-Clouded-by-Injury-182543971.html

Broncos give Raiders a sixth straight loss

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Even though they've already clinched the AFC West title, the Broncos took no mercy on the struggling Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Broncos-Give-Raiders-a-Seventh-Straight-Loss-182481921.html

Dolphins' rookie has big job to tackle

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With Pro Bowl tackle Jake Long out for the season, the Dolphins will put their trust in a rookie from Stanford to try to block Justin and Aldon Smith. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Dolphins-Rookie-Will-Have-to-Stop-49ers-Smiths-182382401.html

Do Raiders have a chance against hot Broncos?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Broncos have won eight in a row; the Raiders have lost five in a row. Thursday night's game looks like a mismatch. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Broncos-Raiders-Game-Looks-Like-a-Mismatch-182199571.html

Raiders' embattled coordinators in spotlight

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With head coach Dennis Allen spending time with his ailing father, coordinators Greg Knapp and Jason Tarver are running the show this week and having to explain the problems their units have had. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/In-Allens-Absence-Raiders-Coordinators-Take-Over-182028001.html

Why won't 49ers use rookies Jenkins and James?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With key injuries now impact the 49ers depth chart, why haven't coaches used rookies A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/With-Injuries-Mounting-49ers-Need-Jenkins-and-James-182021551.html

Kaepernick brings more highs (and lows) to 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: As demonstrated in the loss to the Rams Sunday, the 49ers offense with Colin Kaepernick as QB is a much more high-risk, high-reward scheme. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Offense-is-Different-With-Kaepernick-181852501.html