New 49ers coach touts Solomon Thomas

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: New defensive line coach for 49ers believes this will be the year former No. 1 pick Solomon Thomas makes a big impact. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-New-Defensive-Line-Coach-Praises-Thomas-510666711.html?shf

Raiders say they have a 'secret weapon' at TE

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: On paper, the Raiders tight end corps hardly looks promising. But Darren Waller has been tabbed as a possible break-through player in 2019. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-May-Have-a-Secret-Weapon-at-Tight-End-510668201.html?sfh

New DB coach hopes to help Witherspoon

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: New DB coach Joe Woods believes cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon can regain his rookie form. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Witherspoon-Working-to-Regain-Form-of-Rookie-Season-510614121.html

Mayock defends signing of controversial lineman

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders GM Mike Mayock says signing troubled guard Richie Incognito is a calculated risk. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-GM-Mayock-Defends-Signing-of-Richie-Incognito-510616021.html?shf

Samuel, Hurd could fit perfectly with 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Their play in college points to success with 49ers for Samuel and Hurd. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Samuel-Hurd-Have-Routes-to-Success-With-49ers-510563051.html

Brown, Carr forging a fast friendship

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Antonio Brown, Derek Carr are forming a solid bond. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Brown-Enjoying-Working-With-Carr-510560701.html

McGlinchey eager to play even better in 2019

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tackle Mike McGlinchey had an outstanding rookie season but is working hard to get better. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-McGlinchey-Working-to-Build-off-Rookie-Season-510508701.html

Raiders sign troubled, talented Incognito

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Pro Bowl guard Richie Incognito, who's been followed by personal problems, has signed with the Raiders. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Reports-Say-Raiders-Have-Signed-Talented-Troubled-Guard--510510491.html

Sherman ready to "move and groove" in 2019

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After coping with injuries since 2017, cornerback Richard Sherman says he's totally healthy and fit again. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Richard-Sherman-is-Fully-Fit-and-Ready-to-Play-510323051.html

Carr finally gets to stay in same system

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB Derek Carr is excited that he can finally stay in the same offensive scheme, a rarity in his NFL career. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Carr-Finally-Has-Luxury-of-Staying-in-Same-System-510322351.html

Nick Bosa injured in first week of OTAs

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie defensive end Nick Bosa strains his hamstring in OTA workouts. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Bosa-Injured-During-Organized-Team-Activities-510269371.html

Raiders are getting a beefier Kolton Miller

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Second-year tackle Kolton Miller has put on almost 20 more pounds of muscle. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Miller-Has-Added-Strength-and-Bulk-to-Prepare-for-Year-2-510270591.html

Battle of the Backups: Mullens vs. Beathard

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Which QB will emerge as the No. 2 behind Garoppolo? https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Battle-of-the-Backups-Enters-a-New-Phase-for-49ers-510216411.html

Raiders will stretch the field with Tyrell Williams

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: WR Tyrell Williams is the deep threat the Raiders offense needs. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Tyrell-Williams-Gets-His-Chance-to-Shine-With-Raiders-510214341.html

Analyst says Raiders have no elite players

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: One grading system says Raiders have no elite players on their roster. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Have-Upgraded-the-Roster-but-is-it-Still-Lacking-510164761.html

In OTAs, 49ers want to see Pettis step up

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners have big hopes for WR Dante Pettis and want to see him step up in this week's start of OTAs.https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Have-Great-Expectations-for-Receiving-Corps-510162831.html

Big Trent Brown is fine on the right or left sides

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tackle Trent Brown was a standout on the left side with the Pats, but in Oakland he'll play on the right side. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Will-Moving-From-the-Left-be-Right-for-Trent-Brown-510070861.html

49ers' fullback gives offense plenty of 'Juice'

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: New additions to the 49ers offense have what fullback Kyle Juszczyk gives it: versatility. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/For-49ers-Offense-Still-Gets-Plenty-of-Juice-510067081.html

Raiders see vast potential in Johnson at CB

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Isaiah Johnson switched to cornerback from wideout just two years ago, so his skills are a bit raw, yet the Raiders drafted him in the fourth round because of what they see as tremendous potential. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Fourth-Round-Pick-Could-be-Sleeper-in-Raiders-Secondary-510015241.html

Pair of tight ends added to 49ers roster

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: George Kittle is the unquestioned starter at tight end, but a veteran NFL starter and a drafted rookie will compete with Garrett Celek to make the 2019 roster. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Have-Added-Tight-End-Depth-Behind-Kittle-509958401.html

Surprisingly, Carr is NFL's best deep-ball passer

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The most accurate deep passer in the NFL last season was Derek Carr. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Surprise-Raiders-Derek-Carr-is-NFLs-Most-Accurate-Deep-Passer-509960981.html

Analysts: Raiders among NFL's most-improved teams

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Offseason upgrades by the Raiders have caught the attention of NFL analysts, who see the team as much improved. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Its-Possible-Raiders-Could-be-One-of-NFLs-Most-Improved-Teams-509902191.html

Healthy Verrett could be great Comeback candidate

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: If Jason Verrett is fit again, the cornerback could be a prime candidate for Comeback Player of the Year in the NFL in 2019. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Cornerback-Verrett-Could-be-a-Key-to-49ers-Defense-509851481.html

Raiders' Marquel Lee sheds some weight

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Linebacker Marquel Lee was terrible in pass coverage last season, so has lost weight and gained fitness to get better. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Lighter-Version-of-Marquel-Lee-May-be-Improved-Too-509853651.html

Shanahan eager to use Hurd all over the field

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan sees multiple roles for new wide receiver Jalen Hurd. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Shanahan-Eager-to-Use-Hurd-in-a-Multipurpose-Role-509751711.html?shf

Former college soccer star discovered rugby after graduation and is now a star in the making for Team USA

Kristi Kirshe thought her athletic career might be over after college. After being a four-year starter and All-America soccer player, she was working in an office and playing a rec game per week. Then she discovered rugby. Eighteen months later, she's a star in the making on the U.S. national women's rugby sevens team ... and could be an Olympian next year. My story on her for ESPNW.com: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/26708965/us-rugby-player-kristi-kir-unlikely-path-national-team

Is Carr ready for another marquee year?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: One national analyst predicts Derek Carr will return to his 2016 MVP candidate form in 2019. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Carr-Could-be-Poised-to-Repeat-His-2016-Season-in-2019-509750131.html

Garoppolo eager to get back on the field

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB Jimmy Garoppolo says he's making good progress in his recovery. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Garoppolo-Eager-to-Start-Testing-His-Knee-509694001.html

Raiders' Jacobs among Rookie of the Year favorites

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Running back Josh Jacobs will likely be a workhorse for Jon Gruden, and some see him as one of the league favorites for Rookie of the Year. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Jacobs-Could-Get-Heavy-Workload-as-a-Rookie-509696461.html

Utah coach defends worth of Wishnowsky

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners were knocked by many for drafting a punter in the fourth round, but Utah head football coach says punter Mitch Wishnowsky is worth it. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Utah-Coach-Says-49ers-Were-Wise-to-Select-Punter-509639871.html

Rookie safety Abram billed as a "human torpedo"

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: First-round pick Johnathan Abram is billed as NFL ready by some experts, who cite his force as a hitter and tackler at strong safety. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Abram-Could-be-Instant-Impact-Hit-at-Safety-for-Raiders-509642131.html?sfh

Sherman: Bosa's Twitter posts aren't a big deal

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Veteran corner Richard Sherman says he and his teammates will judge Nick Bosa by whether he's a good teammate and player, not on his political views. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Sherman-Says-Bosas-Twitter-Posts-Arent-a-Big-Deal-509585411.html

Raiders' backfield now appears deep

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders backfield suddenly looks crowded. And that's a good thing. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Backfield-Offers-Interesting-Cast-of-Candidates-509586811.html?hf

Former bodybuilder still pumping iron, eating healthy ... and hoping to live the good life until well beyond 100

Kevin Konczal has multiple interests. He's an actor, entrepreneur and businessman who's an ex-cop and bodybuilder. What's never changed is his dedication to staying fit. My story on him for the Active San Diego series in the Health section of the San Diego Union-Tribune: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/story/2019-05-06/workout-warrior-aims-to-hit-the-century-mark-and-beyond

Niners have faith in cornerback corps

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers didn't draft a cornerback until the sixth round and believed it wasn't a prime area of need. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Mayock-Believes-Ferrell-is-a-Foundation-Player-509534591.html

Mayock says Ferrell can be a "glue" player

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders GM Mike Mayock says there's more to defensive end Clelin Ferrell than what you see on the field. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Mayock-Believes-Ferrell-is-a-Foundation-Player-509534591.html