Thursday, March 30, 2017

49ers starting to get offers for No. 2 pick

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Panthers reportedly thinking off making deal for 49ers' No. 2 pick. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Panthers-Reported-Interested-in-Trading-for-49ers-No-2-Pick-417670543.html

Del Rio eager to use Cook, Patterson in pass game

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders coach Jack Del Rio is excited by a pair of offensive weapons added in free agency. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Del-Rio-Excited-About-Additions-of-Cook-and-Patterson-417674173.html

Where will Raiders play in 2019?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Mark Davis' team will begin play at new Vegas stadium in 2020, but their venue for 2019 is still to be decided. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Where-Will-Raiders-Play-After-2018-Season-417458633.html

Lynch won't rule out drafting a QB

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers signed two veteran QBs, but GM Lynch says he's open to drafting one, too. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Lynch-Doesnt-Rule-Out-Drafting-a-Quarterback-417454933.html

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Golf never has been as popular or as cool as sports such as basketball and football, yet when Tiger Woods came onto the scene that all changed

Tiger Woods made golf cool to the general public. Instead of being a niche sport during his 1997-2008 heyday, golf was the "in" sport and Woods was cool the way Michael Jordan was cool. In fact, Woods transcended sport. He became a celebrity as much as an athlete, and his sport enjoyed its greatest moment in the spotlight. My story for ESPN: http://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/19016063/how-tiger-woods-heyday-made-golf-cool-became-cultural-icon-transcending-game

McKenzie again honored for his Raiders work

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: GM Reggie McKenzie named NFL Executive of the Year by The Sporting News, adding to his honors from 2016. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/No-Matter-Where-They-Play-Raiders-Should-be-Good-417324243.html

ESPN analysts: 49ers most improved in NFC West

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: A panel of NFC West reporters says 49ers improved the most in free agency within the division. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Already-Appear-Much-Improved-417313103.html

Skaters Alexa and Chris Knierim are back on track

Figure skaters Alexa and Chris Knierim are feeling healthy and blessed to have come through a rough 2016. The pairs have qualified for the World Championships after Alexa's illness, surgery and recovery period. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2017/March/27/Finally-Healthy-Again-Skater-Alexa-Scimeca-Knierim-Is-Grateful-For-Worlds-Spot

Monday, March 27, 2017

Shanahan eager to see Saleh's defensive scheme

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Head coach Kyle Shanahan believes Robert Saleh's Seahawks-style defense will be very effective in 2017. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Shanahan-Excited-to-See-Salehs-New-49ers-Defense-417194813.html

Del Rio wants Raiders to tune out Vegas move

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With the NFL about ready to approve the Raiders' move to Las Vegas, Jack Del Rio says one of his jobs is to get players to tune out the distraction. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Despite-Distraction-Del-Rio-Hopes-to-Keep-Raiders-Focused-417189083.html

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

49ers getting second look at top QBs in draft

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: GM John Lynch is leading a group from 49ers to visit again with Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson and DeShone Kizer. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Getting-Closer-Look-at-Quarterback-Prospects-416730003.html

Ex-Seahawk says Lynch a good fit with Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Will Marshawn Lynch sign with the Raiders? A former teammate says it would be a perfect fit. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Former-Teammate-Says-Lynch-Fits-With-Raiders-416726343.html

Dental and oral health becomes even more important for seniors

Because our bodies become more vulnerable as we age, the importance of dental and oral health and hygiene is critical to the overall health of seniors. My story for the Health section of the San Diego Union-Tribune: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-senior-dental-health-20170320-story.html

Friday, March 17, 2017

Juszczyk will be more than a fullback for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: John Lynch says fullback Kyle Juszczyk really plays the positon of OW: Offensive Weapon. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Kyle-Juszczyk-Gives-the-49ers-Much-More-Than-a-Fullback--416437453.html

Tight end Jared Cook joins Raiders offense

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders sign free-agent tight end Jared Cook. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Give-Carr-Another-Receiving-Target-416433343.html

Engineer Kristine Dietrich loves the physical and mental challenges of Parkour

By day Kristine Dietrich is an engineer on the Dreamchaser spacecraft project in Colorado. On nights and weekends she likes a different type of challenge, propelling her body through space to conquer parkour, a sport where athletes negotiate their way over and through obstacles. My story about her for ESPNW.com's Weekend Warriors series: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/18925456/parkour-athlete-kristine-dietrich-sees-world-giant-obstacle-course

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Raiders' signing of OT Newhouse was needed

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Marshall Newhouse, who has started at guard and left and right tackle in his NFL career, will compete for starting spot at right tackle with Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Newhouse-Gives-Raiders-Versatile-Piece-to-Offensive-Line-416236363.html

49ers have spent big, but have plenty left

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: John Lynch has spent plenty of money already in free agency, but the 49ers still have more money to spend under the salary cap than any other NFL team. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Still-Have-Plenty-of-Cash-to-Spend-416232903.html

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

New 49er Grissom believes he's yet to tap his potential

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Speedy wideout Marquise Grissom spent four years in Buffalo, but the former Olympian didn't live up to expectations. Now with the 49ers, he believes he can thrive in Kyle Shanahan's system. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Are-Betting-on-Goodwins-Potential-416138203.html

Patterson adds jolt to return and passing games

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Cordarrelle Patterson has signed with the Raiders, bringing his skills as the NFL's top kickoff returner and an explosive wide receiver. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Signing-of-Patterson-Adds-Exciting-Element-to-Raiders-416133713.html

Monday, March 13, 2017

Ex-Vike Patterson would add juice to Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Cordarrelle Patterson is a good wide receiver, but his major value to the Raiders -- should they sign him -- would be his playmaking skills as a kick returner. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Reported-to-Have-Interest-in-Ex-Viking-Patterson-416036033.html

Hoyer doesn't want to be a place-holder QB

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Veteran Brian Hoyer signed with the 49ers to be the starting QB, and he's not concerned with anything after 2017. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Hoyer-is-Eager-for-New-Opportunity-With-the-49ers-416032723.html

Hosting 2017 Women's Worlds a big task for USA Hockey

The task of organizing and executing plans for this year's Women's World Hockey Championships in Michigan started more than a year ago at USA Hockey. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.2017womensworlds.com/news_article/show/768971?referrer_id=2266128

Friday, March 10, 2017

For Olympian and Cal water polo standout Luca Cupido, 2016 was one amazing year

After moving to the U.S. from Italy for his senior year of high school, Luca Cupido has made all the right moves. He helped Cal win an NCAA championship, made the U.S. Olympic team and was selected an All-America and Academic All-America. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2017/March/09/From-Italy-To-Cal-To-Rio-Water-Polo-Star-Luca-Cupido-Is-Riding-High

So far, Raiders are subtracting, not adding

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The NFL free-agency period has begun with Oakland allowing several players to leave while -- so far -- not signing anyone. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Off-to-Slow-Start-in-Free-Agency-415884953.html

Niners will bring fullback back into offense

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Signing of former Ravens Pro Bowl fullback is a signal the 49ers offense will be much different in 2017. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Offense-Will-Feature-a-Fullback-Again-415887813.html

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

New mom Brenna Huckaby is fresh off a snowboardcross world title and charging toward 2018 Paralympics in Korea

After a great 2015 season, Brenna Huckaby took a year off to give birth to her daughter. Now she's back on the slopes and even better than ever, apparently, with two world titles. Her goal is to get to the next Paralympics in 2018. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2017/March/07/Back-On-Snow-New-Mother-And-Newly-Crowned-World-Champ-Brenna-Huckaby-Back-At-Elite-Form

49ers' release of Bethea opens door for Ward & Tartt

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt may play bigger roles at safety in 2017 following the release of veteran Antoine Bethea. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Betheas-Release-Opens-Doors-at-Safety-for-49ers-415683473.html

Raiders have multiple FA options at inside LB

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kevin Minter of the Cards and Zach Brown of the Bills are two of the less expensive -- but productive -- options for Oakland on the free-agent market for inside linebackers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-May-Have-Options-at-Linebacker-Other-Than-Hightower-415686213.html

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

U.S. players recall the warm, small-town feel of Women's World Hockey Championships in Vermont in 2012

Players recall that the city and views were beautiful, the fans were warm and the atmosphere was electric when the U.S. hosted the Women's World Hockey Championships in Burlington, Vermont in 2012. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.2017womensworlds.com/news_article/show/763248?referrer_id=2266128

Smith out, Kerley stays as 49ers remake receiving corps

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers already are reshaping a receiving corps that ranked as perhaps the worst in the NFL in 2016. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Receiving-Corps-is-Getting-a-Major-Makeover-415577983.html

Nurse who took up running when she was nearly 50 now feels more fit, healthy and energized than ever before

Once Annie Herrin began to run, five years ago, she discovered a new, liberating lifestyle. Now the nurse, 54, has qualified for the Boston Marathon a second time. My story on her for the Active San Diego series in the San Diego Union-Tribune Health section: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-active-herrin-20170306-story.html