Now in comeback mode, Cejudo says 'don't underestimate me'

At 21, Henry Cejudo in 2004 became the youngest American wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal. Now, after almost three years away from competition, the young man from the mean streets of L.A. and Phoenix is back on the mat, getting primed for the next Olympics in London. My story on Cejudo for the U.S. Olympic website. http://www.teamusa.org/news/2011/11/10/cejudos-olympic-comeback-plans-are-on-track/45411?ngb_id=3

Giants see a different, improved Alex Smith

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 6-2 New York Giants, who are preparing to play the 7-1 49ers Sunday, say San Francisco is a solid team with a quarterback who has evolved a great deal this year. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Giants-See-a-Different-Better-Alex-Smith-133614148.html

Chelsea McClammer is rolling toward London

Chelsea McClammer was just 14 when she competed at the Paralympics in Beijing in 2008, the youngest member of Team USA. Now, after 3 1/2 years of high school, recovery from surgery and preparing for college, the wheelchair racer from Washington is on the move toward the Parapan Games in Mexico and next year's London Paralympics. My story on her for the U.S. Olympic Committee website. http://usparalympics.org/news/2011/11/09/mcclammer-has-plenty-of-reasons-to-smile/45395?ngb_id=3

Raiders face Chargers without McFadden

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Top running back Darren McFadden probably won't be ready when Oakland and San Diego, both 4-4, play Thursday night in a national TV game in San Diego. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/McFadden-Likely-Out-for-Raiders-vs-Chargers-133535008.html

Creating beauty with beauty

Cindy Birchard started working in a florist shop when she was 14, then stuck with it through high school and college. After graduating from SDSU with a degree in business, she decided what she really wanted to do was continue to work with flowers. Now the master floral designer, 54, says the career has been creative and rewarding. http://santee.patch.com/articles/creating-beauty-with-beauty

Despite ankle injury, Gore says he'll play for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Frank Gore, who injured his ankle Sunday vs. Redskins, says he'll play against the Giants Sunday. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Despite-Sprained-Ankle-Gore-Says-Hell-Play-133439713.html

Do Raiders need to revert to previous formula?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: ESPN analyst says Raiders need to go back to what was working with Jason Campbell at quarterback, having Carson Palmer focus on being a game manager rather than the focus of the offense. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Perhaps-Raiders-Should-Revert-to-Earlier-Formula-133437648.html

Raiders have no time to waste in solving problems

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With just four days between games, the Raiders have to quickly address areas of concern such as run defense and too many costly penalties. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Need-to-Get-Better-Fast-133360953.html

Niners are just 'blue-collar cats' enjoying winning

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Niners win a sixth straight game and the players say they love their old-fashioned, blue-collar formula of playing basic, no-frills football. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Blue-Collar-Cats-Purring-Along-133357833.html

Raiders collapse in second half, lose to Broncos

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland's defense imploded in the second half, as Denver scored 31 points in a 38-24 victory over the Raiders in Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Stumble-Again-to-AFC-West-Foe-133335033.html

49ers win 6th straight with familiar formula

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco used a solid ground attack, tough defense and a victory in the turnover battle to beat the Redskins. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Use-Familiar-Formula-for-6th-Straight-Win-133330178.html

Bush will carry the load vs. Broncos

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With Darren McFadden injured, Michael Bush will be the featured back agains the Broncos Sunday, who come into the game with quarterback Tim Tebow still trying to establish some consistency. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Bush-Ready-to-Roll-vs-Tebows-Broncos-133237578.html

49ers and Redskins going in opposite directions

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco goes for its sixth straight win Sunday in Washington against the reeling Redskins, who have lost three straight. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Redskins-Going-in-Opposite-Directions-133242403.html

Jeopardy for Nov. 4 for ESPN.com

So who's that former ice princess? My Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7189374

Archer Butch Johnson aiming for 6th Olympics

At age 56, Butch Johnson has done just about everything in the sport of archery but win an individual medal in the Olympics. He's in good position right now to make a sixth consecutive Olympics, sitting in third place after the first US Archery trials. My story on him for the U.S. Olympic Commitee website: http://www.teamusa.org/news/2011/11/03/at-56-butch-johnson-is-aiming-for-history/45335?ngb_id=3

McFadden may miss Broncos game

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Darren McFadden may have to miss the Broncos game this Sunday in order to be ready for the Chargers game next week. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McFadden-Likely-to-Miss-Sundays-Game-133159063.html

Guys up front have turned into 49ers' Fab Five

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After a rough start in the preseason and the first two games, the 49ers' offensive line has turned into a unit that is protecting Alex Smith and helping spring Frank Gore. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Offensive-Line-Has-Become-49ers-Fab-Five-133156898.html

Hands-on principal has come a long way ... from Canada

Andy Johnston says he still misses being in the classroom every day, interacting with kids and watching them learn and grow. So, the principal at Chet F. Harritt School in Santee makes it a point to join teachers in their classrooms at every opportunity and make certain he's "the face of the place." http://santee.patch.com/articles/just-call-this-principal-a-helper#c

Niners building something special on bedrock of 'D'

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: At 6-1, the 49ers have a four-game lead in the NFC West, and some folks already are speculating when the team will clinch a playoff spot. But San Francisco's players and coaches are not looking ahead, saying they need to keep "playing our game." What that means, is playing top-notch defense. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Defense-is-Foundation-for-Success-133003833.html

Without even playing, Raiders move into first place

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Without even playing this week, the Raiders moved into a tie for first place in the AFC West. It should be an interesting week for Oakland as it prepares to enter the second half of its season. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Move-into-First-Without-Playing-133000688.html