Mr. Smith comes to San Francisco

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Aldon Smith, a quarterback-sacking terror at Missouri, was the seventh overall pick in the 2011 draft by San Francisco, and showed his coaches, teammates and fans what he's capable of in Friday's exhibition loss to New Orleans: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Aldon-Smith-Spreading-His-Wings-for-49ers-127657083.html

Two experienced QBs battle for Raiders backup job

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kyle Boller and Trent Edwards each looked good in opening exhibition game, which may signal that the race for the backup job behind Jason Campbell may be hard to pick: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Whos-No-2-Boller-Edwards-in-a-Battle-127656948.html

She's hoping to make her business bloom

Crystal Redfern is the newest -- and one of the youngest -- store owners in La Mesa's Village, having bought Homeland Florist earlier this year. She's had to take a crash course in just about everything, but believes she can keep the longtime shop going strong. Her profile for the "A Living in La Mesa" column: http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/with-perfect-florist-name-crystal-redfern-pours-herself-into-old-shop#c

49ers blitzed in the Big Easy

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick are chased, sacked and battered in Niners' exhibition opener in New Orleans: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Buried-Under-Saints-Blitz-127642873.html

Raiders have early concerns about cornerbacks

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Exhibition opener shows some weaknesses in the Raiders' secondary: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Cracks-Appear-in-Raiders-Secondary--127591703.html

Jeopardy for Aug. 12 on ESPN.com's Page 2

His father said, "Son, if you don't take extra batting practice, I'm going to make you play the piano." Guess it worked, because the outfielder's an All-Star. Who is he? http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6855884

Nice debut for Raiders rookie Denarius Moore

Daily blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland loses its exhibition opener, but rookie wideout Denarius Moore -- who'd been making waves in training camp -- looked just as good against live competition. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Go-Down-Moores-Stock-Goes-Up-127573133.html

It's time for Kaepernick to show his stuff

Daily 49ers blog for the NBC Bay Area website: Rookie QB Colin Kaepernick should get plenty of playing time in team's preseason opener vs. Saints: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Kaepernick-Ready-For-His-Coming-Out-Party-127523598.html

A witness to history

Elizabeth Ferguson, 98 years young, can remember the days with Naval aviation was new and unusual, and the days when Coronado was just a little beach town with vacant lots in the 1920s. She can also talk about her noted uncle, Admiral Marc Mitscher, a pioneer of Naval aviation and a hero of World War II. My feature about her for the Coronado Patch website: http://coronado.patch.com/articles/witnessing-naval-aviation-from-the-beginning#c

Raiders believe Jason Campbell growing into QB role

Daily blog post on Raiders for NBC Bay Area website: On eve of first preseason game, Jason Campbell appears comfortable and secure at quarterback: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Have-Questions-But-Not-About-Campbell-127458353.html

Niners have a crowd at safety position

Daily blog on 49ers for NBC Bay Area website: There seem to be a whole lot of safeties in Niners camp: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Have-Some-Things-to-Sort-Out-at-Safety-127453848.html

A knight's quest in the modern world

Scott Farrell looks to the past and sees the future. What if chivalry were a part of today's world? The former magazine editor and history buff takes his message all over San Diego, speaking to kids and adults about the days of yore, knights, King Arthur and the code of honor. My profile of Farrell for "On the Job in Santee": http://santee.patch.com/articles/on-the-job-a-knights-tale#c

Braylon Edwards brings his talent to Bay Area

Daily blog post on 49ers for NBC Bay Area website: Braylon Edwards chose to come to San Francisco instead of Arizona because of potential to do big things: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Braylon-Edwards-Getting-Another-Fresh-Start-With-49ers-127309748.html

Raiders rookie is making a splash

Daily blog post on NBC Bay Area website: Fifth-round draft pick Denarius Moore gives Raiders hope they've found a diamond in the rough: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Can-Denarius-Moore-Be-This-Seasons-Raiders-Surprise-127305323.html

49ers put their faith in Harbaugh

Daily post on 49ers for NBC Bay Area website: Jed York believes Jim Harbaugh was most important free-agent pickup: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Yorks-message-In-Harbaugh-we-trust-127229358.html

Raiders rebound with Boss

Daily blog for NBC Bay Area website on Oakland Raiders: Losing Zach Miller was a mistake, but at least Raiders recovered by signing TE Kevin Boss: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/After-bumbling-on-Miller-Raiders-recover-nicely-with-Boss-127230713.html

A surprise career: helping animals

Amanda Pittman was into cars, not cats and dogs. But when she landed a job at the Humane Society -- on a day when she just showed up to volunteer -- her goals changed. My profile of her for the "On the Job" series in the San Diego Union-Tribune's North County section: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/aug/05/job-cars-critters-one-meaningful-job/

Jeopardy for Aug. 5 on ESPN.com's Page 2

If you have a "Tripping Icarus" T-shirt, you'll know this one. My Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Page 2 on Aug. 5th: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=6835866

In Coronado, a day at the beach

His given name is William, but to everyone he's been Pepper. Now, Pepper Lang is an acting sergeant in his 10th year as a lifeguard. As he works at Coronado beach, his days are a constant stream of vigilance and multitasking. My profile of him for the first installment of my "On the Job" series for Coronado Patch: http://coronado.patch.com/articles/its-not-really-a-day-at-the-beach

She's dancing as fast as she can

Sonja Larimore used to watch her mother teach Jazzercise classes when she was a girl. Then, after the former high school athlete graduated from SDSU and began working in a financial firm, she decided she wanted to follow in her mom's dance steps, and opened up a Jazzercise franchise in Santee. Now, she seems to never stop moving. My profile of her for the "On the Job in Santee" series: http://santee.patch.com/articles/on-the-job-dancing-to-her-own-beat