49ers may start Mullen at QB vs. Raiders

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Because of a wrist injury to C.J. Beathard, the 49ers may have to start Nick Mullens at QB Thursday night. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-May-Have-to-Start-Nick-Mullens-vs-Raiders-499146371.html

Raiders are quiet on draft day

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Despite reports that they were considering trading one or two players, the Raiders allow draft deadline to pass without making any more deals. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Despite-Rumors-Raiders-Stand-Pat-With-Roster-499152121.html

Three Olympians born in three separate countries are "brothers" and best friends, training together in Flagstaff, Ariz., in preparation for New York City Marathon

Bernard Lagat has never run a marathon but is a five-time Olympian. Abdi Abdirahman is an Olympian who once finished third in New York. Mexico's two-time Olympian Juan Luis Barrios ran a PR in the marathon already this year. The three are best buddies, training partners and sometimes roomies who will run against one another in New York this weekend ... but will still pull for one another. My story for ESPN.com's Olympic section: http://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/25091905/new-york-city-marathon-2018-bernard-lagat-juan-luis-barrios-abdi-abdirahman-find-common-ground

49ers' failure on 'O' set up collapse of 'D'

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: When the 49ers settled for a field goal instead of a TD early in the fourth quarter, it opened the door for the Cardinals to come back for a win. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Offense-Couldnt-Secure-a-Victory-499019161.html

Return of defensive tackles should help Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland's starting defensive tackles from 2017 expected to return over next two weeks. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Return-of-Vanderdoes-Ellis-Could-Help-Raiders-Defense-499022311.html?hsfd

Niners may say goodbye to Garcon

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Veteran WR Pierre Garcon may be traded away by Tuesday, the NFL trading deadline. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Could-Trade-Garcon-by-Tuesday-Deadline-498910551.html

Raiders' O-Line takes a big step forward

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland's offensive line hasn't been good, but it finally showed its potential in a loss to the Colts. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Offensive-Line-Takes-Big-Step-Forward-498914041.html

49ers' defense folds in the fourth

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco builds a lead and then lets it slip away in Arizona. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Cant-Hold-on-to-Late-Lead-Lose-to-Cardinals-498844941.html

Raiders come close, but let a victory slip away

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Despite building a lead into the https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Colts-Rally-in-Fourth-to-Give-Raiders-Another-Defeat-498843621.htmlfourth quarter, the Raiders fall to Colts.

Air Force Academy kendo athlete Esther Kim is one of the nation's best in the Japanese martial art of kendo

Esther Kim is a mild-mannered young woman, an Air Force Academy senior excited to soon start her military career. When she's on the kendo court, however, Kim is ferocious, quick and excellent, as her national championship titles show. My story on Kim for ESPNW.com: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/25083288/meet-esther-kim-clark-kent-martial-arts

Reuben Foster's play has declined in Year 2

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In 2017, rookie LB Reuben Foster was ranked No. 4 in the NFL at his position by one analytic website. This year, he's missing tackles and getting beat in coverage as he deals with a shoulder injury. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Foster-Hasnt-Been-the-Same-Player-in-Second-Season-498675161.html

Carr says he embraces tough times

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders QB Derek Carr says he's going to keep fighting through adversity and innuendo. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Carr-Says-He-Embraces-Tough-Times-498671461.html

Pettis eager to play this Sunday for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Receiver Dante Pettis has missed three straight games but was back at practice Wednesday and says he'll play Sunday vs. the Cardinals. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Pettis-is-Eager-to-Get-Back-in-a-Game-498540261.html

Will Raiders trade away Conley, too?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: A new name has surfaced in Raiders trade rumors: cornerback Gareon Conley. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Conley-Also-Reported-to-be-on-Trading-Block-498537961.html

49ers lose yet another starter in secondary

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Safety Adrian Colbert has been placed on injured reserve, yet another blow to a thin, damaged 49ers secondary. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Depleted-49ers-Secondary-Loses-Another-Starter-498314851.html

Will Carr soon follow Mack and Cooper out the door?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: A story this week says Derek Carr has a "fractured" relationship with his team. Will the Raiders now get rid of their quarterback?https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Is-Carrs-Relationship-With-Teammates-Fractured-498319331.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_BAYBrand

Will Shanahan bench Beathard? Not a chance

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB C.J. Beathard has made a lot of mistakes, but head coach Kyle Shanahan is sticking with him because, in the absence of Jimmy Garoppolo, Beathard is the team's best QB. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Shanahan-is-Sticking-With-Beathard-Despite-Problems-498209691.html

With Lynch out, Raiders' Martin will be in

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Doug Martin the likely starter this Sunday after injury to Marshawn Lynch.  https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/With-Lynch-Out-Raiders-Doug-Martin-Will-Get-Opportunity-498213321.html

49ers' Alumni Day spoiled by lopsided loss to Rams

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: C.J. Beathard is sacked seven times and the 49ers lose the turnover battle, 4-0, in 39-10 loss to undefeated Rams. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/A-Celebration-of-Past-Ruined-by-49ers-Ugly-Present-498162541.html

Raiders' Townsend not measuring up as punter

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie punter Johnny Townsend isn't coming close to the production of former Raiders punter Marquette King. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Punter-Townsends-Struggles-Hurting-Raiders-498032861.html

Saleh trying to patch holes in defense

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is focusing on fixing communication problems that are leaving receivers uncovered. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Saleh-Working-to-Fix-Problems-on-Defense-498029161.html

Report: Raiders believe Cooper "lacks passion"

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jon Gruden apparently wants to trade WR Amari Cooper because he doesn't have enough passion for football. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-May-See-Cooper-as-Lacking-Passion-for-Football-497929431.html

49ers sign veteran QB Tom Savage

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Ex-Texans QB Tom Savage has been added to give the 49ers some experience behind young QBs C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Sign-Ex-Texans-Quarterback-Tom-Savage-497924901.html

Has Gruden already failed in Oakland?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Just six games into the first season of a 10-year deal with the Raiders, head coach Jon Gruden appears to have lost his team. That's not a good sign. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Is-Jon-Gruden-Losing-the-Raiders-497821761.html?hsdf

Caregiver and author Lannette Cornell Bloom urges other caregivers to look for the special moments and beauty in taking care of a loved one

Lannette Cornell Bloom, in her new book "Memories in Dragonflies," writes about how her mother always had tried to get her to slow down in life and enjoy the journey. It wasn't until Lannette spent a year taking care of her mother as she was dying that she finally understood. My story for the Caregiving section of the Union-Tribune: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/caregiver/sd-he-caregiver-bloom-dying-20180911-story.html

Who's to blame for defensive collapse vs. Pack?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kyle Shanahan, Richard Sherman stick up for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh after 33-30 loss to Green Bay. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Shanahan-Sherman-Defend-49ers-Defensive-Coordinator-497700921.html

Raiders' Arden Key is improving as a pass rusher

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie Arden Key gets his first NFL sack vs. the Seahawks. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Rookie-Arden-Key-Continues-to-Improve-497703801.html

49ers lose lead, then game, to Packers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers fall to 1-5 after blowing a late lead in Green Bay and losing 33-30. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Cant-Hold-Late-Lead-vs-Packers-497650681.html

Raiders are bad in England, too

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jon Gruden takes his team all the way to London to find out what everyone already knew: The Raiders aren't good. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Take-a-Beating-in-London-497528011.html

49ers' offense ravaged by injuries

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Almost every offensive starter for San Francisco is hurt. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Injury-Bug-is-Biting-Almost-Entire-49ers-Offense-497213791.html

Carr is at his worst in the red zone

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: As stats show, Raiders QB Derek Carr is at his worst when he's in the red zone. His performance has declined for three straight years. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Derek-Carrs-Numbers-in-Red-Zone-Are-Alarming-497221911.html

49ers WR corps continues to shrink

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Without Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis -- and with veteran Pierre Garcon not up to par -- the 49ers' receiving options are more limited than expected. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Hampered-by-Banged-Up-Wide-Receivers-Group-496954901.html

Without Osemele, Raiders run game falls to a crawl

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kelechi Osemele is one of the NFL's most dominant run-blocking guard, so his absence again this Sunday could be painful. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Run-Game-Suffers-Without-Osemele-496969701.html

49ers among worst in NFL for turnover ratio, penalties

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Too many giveaways, not enough takeaways -- plus a surge in penalties -- is a recipe for losing. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Among-Worst-in-NFL-for-Turnovers-Penalties-496604911.html?hsdf

Gruden accepts some blame for 1-4 start

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Head coach Jon Gruden says his fingerprints are all over the bad parts of the Raiders in their 1-4 start. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Gruden-Says-His-Fingerprints-Are-on-Raiders-Problems-496258511.html

Shanahan isn't waving the white flag

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Despite a 1-4 start and serious, key injuries, the 49ers will win games this year, says Kyle Shanahan. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Despite-Losses-Injuries-Shanahan-Remains-Focused-on-2018-496245091.html

Next time, Gruden may give the ball to Lynch

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: It proved to be a disaster not to use Marshawn Lynch at the Chargers goal line in a loss to LA Sunday. Now head coach Jon Gruden says next time, Lynch will get the ball. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Next-Time-Gruden-May-Give-the-Ball-to-Lynch-495900961.html

49ers hoping Breida injury isn't serious

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Running back Matt Breida will get an MRI today to determine extent of ankle injury. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Losing-Breida-Could-be-Painful-for-Limping-49ers-495888941.html

Niners turn the ball over five times in loss to Cards

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: It's hard to win an NFL game when you cough the ball up five times, and the opponent has zero turnovers. That's what happened in 49ers' loss to Arizona. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Fumble-Away-a-Game-to-Cardinals-495550821.html

Raiders are almost lifeless in loss to Chargers

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders go flat in L.A. to lose to host Chargers. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Follow-First-Win-by-Falling-Flat-in-Los-Angeles-495529611.html

Raiders' D giving up way too many long plays

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: This matchup doesn't look good. No team has made more long plays on offense than the Chargers through four games. The Raiders have allowed the most big plays. Uh Oh ... https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/NIners-Secondary-is-a-Primary-Concern-495273281.htmlhttps://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Defense-is-Allowing-Too-Many-Long-Plays-495277141.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_BAYBrand

49ers' secondary is a primary concern

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Injuries and subpar play have hurt the 49ers' pass coverage. With Richard Sherman out, it's only worse. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/NIners-Secondary-is-a-Primary-Concern-495273281.html

After first Olympics, media onslaught and high school graduation, teen speedskater Maame Biney is back from a break and ready to go

This year and last have been a long, hard grind for short-track speedskater Maame Biney, who went to her first Olympics in February. She finally was able to find her equilibrium again after giving herself permission to take a 4 1/2-month break ... and graduate from high school. My story about her for TeamUSA.org: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/October/04/After-A-Heck-Of-A-Year-And-A-4-Half-Month-Break-Maame-Biney-Returns-To-Speedskating

Kittle looks like 49ers' next great tight end

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: George Kittle could be headed to join the likes of Russ Francis, Ted Kwalick, Vernon Davis and Brent Jones as the best tight ends in franchise history. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/In-Second-Year-Kittle-is-on-Track-to-Joining-49ers-Best-Tight-Ends-495169241.html

Penn's injury opens door to Brandon Parker

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: A groin injury to starting tackle Donald Penn means rookie third-round pick Brandon Parker will get his shot as a starter for the Raiders. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/With-Penn-Out-Raiders-Will-Go-With-Two-Rookie-Tackles-495174001.html

Former Egyptian modern pentathlon standout Amro Elgeziry is fulfilling a dream, having become a U.S. citizen

Amro Elgeziry went to three Olympics for Egypt as a modern pentathlete, but now he's a member of the U.S. national team after an interesting four years in which he moved to the U.S., married, became a citizen and joined the United States Army. My story on him for TeamUSA.org: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/October/03/Pentathlete-Amro-Elgeziry-Is-Now-Living-The-American-Dream

Not an athlete? Kristine Entwistle certainly fits the description, no matter what she says

Kristine Entwistle runs, cycles, does yoga and has run marathons and completed triathlons, yet the executive at the Challenged Athletes Foundation doesn't believe she merits being called an athlete. My story on her for the Union-Tribune's Active San Diego series. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-active-entwistle-20181001-story.html

For now, Mullens is 49ers' only backup QB

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Nick Mullens has never thrown a pass in the NFL, but if C.J. Beathard goes down in 2018, Mullens will be the 49ers' QB. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/For-Now-49ers-Are-Going-With-Mullens-as-No-2-Quarterback-494922371.html

Marshawn Lynch is still in "Beast Mode"

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: He may be 32, but running back Marshawn Lynch of the Raiders is still running over defenders the way he did in Seattle. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Marshawn-Lynch-is-Running-Over-and-Around-Defenders-494925681.html

Olympian Alexi Pappas is taking the high road to the Sierra Nevada to her first marathon start

Alexi Pappas has run everything from 1,500 meters to a half marathon, but the 2016 Olympian is now moving on to the marathon, eager for her debut at Chicago this week -- after training in Mammoth. My story for Competitor: https://running.competitor.com/2018/10/chicago-marathon/alexi-pappas-on-chasing-the-marathon_175157