Abrams' return a boon for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Johnathan Abrams' return from injury in 2020 will be akin to the Raiders getting yet another first-round pick this year. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-reinforcements-for-2020-include-abrams/2224483/

If defense wins titles, 49ers will be crowned

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Defense is the 49ers' strong suit. Historically, strong defensive teams beat strong offensive teams in Super Bowls. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/super-bowl-54-49ers-have-defensive-edge-vs-chiefs/2224464/

Garoppolo is underrated as a passer

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers don't usually lean on Jimmy Garoppolo to beat teams with his arm, but when they do ... he's successful. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/super-bowl-49ers-garoppolo-is-dangerous-deep-ball-passer/2223555/

Brady is Nevada-bound ... in at least one way

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tom Brady has bought property in Nevada. Does that increase his chances of playing with the Raiders?https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/has-tom-brady-just-signaled-a-move-to-the-raiders/2223567/

Niners used bye week to great advantage

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: By earning a first-round bye, the 49ers paved their way to the Super Bowl. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-reloaded-during-playoff-bye-week/2222689/

For value, Raiders' Renfrow was a bargain

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Fifth-round pick Hunter Renfrow became a starting wide receiver as a rookie and ranks as one of 2019's highest-value draft choices. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/renfrow-was-one-of-nfls-best-value-draft-picks/2222722/

Release of Foster a "turning point" for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Niners CEO Jed York says the release of linebacker Reuben Foster in 2018 set the stage for rebuilding the culture of the team. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-york-says-lynch-shanahan-built-winning-culture/2222073/

Mayock aims to improve WR speed

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders GM Mike Mayock says the team must get faster "outside," at the receiver positions. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/mayock-says-raiders-have-a-need-for-speed/2222078/

Sherman: Garoppolo critics sound like "idiots"

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Cornerback Richard Sherman says those who are taking shots at Jimmy Garoppolo -- because he only threw eight passes in the NFC title game -- don't know what they're talking about. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-sherman-waves-off-critics-of-garoppolo/2221473/

Will Raiders re-sign Karl Joseph?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Safety Karl Joseph may be headed for free agency. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-joseph-could-be-headed-for-free-agency/2221490/

49ers know Chiefs have scary speed

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers defense has been terrific, but it hasn't faced a team with as much speed as the Chiefs. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-defense-will-be-tested-by-chiefs-great-speed/2220382/

Carr: Please stop the Brady talk

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB Derek Carr says enough, already. He no longer wants to hear speculation that Tom Brady is coming or that he is going. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-derek-carr-is-tired-of-the-brady-talk/2219781/

The son also rises for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Niners' offense is a throwback to an earlier Shanahan era. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-running-attack-is-from-a-different-era/2219797/

Will Raiders spend bucks for Clowney?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: If Jadeveon Clowney hits the free-agent market, the Raiders -- with plenty of money under the salary cap -- could be a candidate to pursue his services. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/with-plenty-of-money-available-will-raiders-pursue-clowney/2219182/

Wide receiver a boost to run game, too

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie WR Deebo Samuel has become not only a go-to receiver, but a high-impact ball carrier and blocker. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-samuel-has-become-big-part-of-running-game/2219169/

Ford excited to face former team

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Dee Ford says the Super Bowl is extra special because he gets to play his "brothers" on the Chiefs, his former team. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-ford-excited-to-face-brothers-in-super-bowl/2218540/

Mayock: Crosby deserves special credit

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders GM Mike Mayock says Maxx Crosby deserves special credit for the work he put in to be good in his rookie season. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-mayock-wont-take-credit-for-crosbys-success/2218559/

Buckner out, Marinelli in as Raiders D-line coach

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: There's been a switch on Jon Gruden's staff, with popular defensive line coach Brentson Buckner out in favor of Rod Marinelli. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/buckner-is-out-as-raiders-defensive-line-coach/2215673/

Mostert has evolved into unlikely star

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raheem Mostert's huge game in the NFC Championship Game victory over Green Bay was just one more step forward for a former NFL castoff who is now a leading man. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/niners-mostert-has-evolved-into-unlikely-star/2218069/

49ers' D-line investments paying off

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Year after year, the 49ers spent big on defensive linemen. It's paying off. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/first-round-investments-paying-off-for-49ers/2216889/

Staley again playing at a high level

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tackle Joe Staley, since returning from injury, is again playing at an elite level. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-staley-playing-at-a-high-level-once-more/2216309/

Can Garoppolo take over a game?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jimmy Garoppolo remains untested in many ways. If it comes down to a shootout, can he out-pass and outscore an opposing star QB? https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/can-49ers-garoppolo-win-a-shootout/2215724/

Raiders' biggest need is a fast wideout

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With their two first-round picks in this draft, expect the Raiders to take a fast, field-stretching wide receiver. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-need-a-deep-threat-at-wide-receiver/2215098/

Garland has kept O-line humming

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Center Ben Garland has filled in admirably since the injury to Weston Richburg, keeping the 49ers O-line playing at a high level. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/niners-ben-garland-is-an-unsung-hero/2215118/

Packers need new approach vs. 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After losing big to the 49ers in November, the Packers say they'll need a new approach in the NFC Championship Game rematch. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/packers-must-find-new-approach-against-49ers/2214528/

Incognito gives Carr vote of confidence

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Do the Raiders need to change QBs? No way, says Richie Incognito. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/incognito-says-carr-is-the-quarterback-raiders-need/2214544/

Vikings will focus on stopping Kittle

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Vikings have been very good at stopping opposing tight ends, but now will try to stop one of the NFL's best, George Kittle. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/vikings-defense-will-focus-on-stopping-kittle/2213382/

Raiders' O-line was much better in '19

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Perhaps the Raiders' biggest improvement in 2019 came on the offensive line. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-offensive-line-evolved-from-weakness-to-strength/2213422/

Return of Ford should juice 49ers' pass rush

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With Dee Ford, the 49ers' pass rush is among the best in the NFL. Without him, not so much. Now Ford returns for the playoffs. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/fords-return-should-energize-49ers-pass-rush/2212792/

Raiders sacks rose from 13 to 32

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: An influx of rookies helped the Raiders defense go from 13 sacks in 2018 to 32 in 2019. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-pass-rush-improved-significantly-in-2019/2212802/

Raiders' Hurst has strong second season

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Maurice Hurst has grown into a team strength on the defensive line. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-hurst-takes-big-step-in-second-season/2212239/

Moseley or Witherspoon at cornerback?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Ahkello Witherspoon struggled in his last game and was replaced by Emmanuel Moseley. Who will start in the playoff game vs. Vikings? https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/shanahan-waiting-to-name-a-starting-cornerback/2212219/

Soccer always has been in Gerhard Neuendorff's DNA, so he's still playing (and loving it) into his 50s

Everyone's path to fitness, health and activity is different, but there was no question Gerhard Neuendorff's would involve playing soccer into his late 50s. My story on him for the Active San Diego series of the Health section of the Union-Tribune. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/story/2020-01-06/well-into-his-50s-soccer-still-a-kick

Speculation: Brady might put on silver and black

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: If the Patriots don't re-sign Tom Brady, some believe he could come to the Raiders. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/how-would-tom-brady-look-in-silver-and-black/2211638/

Would Raiders' Mayock step down?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: GM Mike Mayock had a strong first season, but some believe it wouldn't be shocking for him to resign. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/is-raiders-gm-mike-mayock-considering-leaving/2211011/

Vikings' front seven is formidable

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: When the 49ers face the Vikings in a divisional round playoff game Saturday, they'll have to block a terrific Minnesota defensive front. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/vikings-defensive-front-can-create-havoc-for-49ers/2211607/

Injured players return for playoffs

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers are getting reinforcements just in time for their playoff opener vs. Vikings. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/niners-are-getting-some-reinforcements/2210993/

Raiders took some big steps in 2019

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders missed the playoffs again, but it can't be denied the team made significant progress, jumping to 7-9 after going 4-12 in 2018. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-came-a-long-way-this-season/2209887/

Rookies helped fuel 49ers' success

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Where would the 49ers be without this rookie class? Certainly, not in the playoffs. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/where-would-49ers-be-without-2019-draft-class/2209867/

Now-healthy Gould regains accuracy

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kicker Robbie Gould, who was erratic early in 2019, is now his excellent self again after missing some games to rest his leg injury. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/niners-can-count-on-gould-once-more/2209271/

Jacobs enters 2020 as a bona fide star

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The only thing that could tackle Josh Jacobs in 2019 was a late-season injury. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/only-injury-stopped-josh-jacobs-in-rookie-year/2209290/

Kittle charging full speed into playoffs

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tight end George Kittle is playing at an elite level entering his first pro playoff game. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-kittle-on-a-roll-heading-into-first-nfl-playoff-game/2208968/

Crosby a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Defensive end Maxx Crosby had 10 sacks, putting him among the candidates for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/raiders-excited-by-maxx-crosbys-future/2208943/