Todd Bowles emerges as Raiders coaching candidate

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: New GM Reggie McKenzie has a lot on his plate, including selecting a new head coach to replace Hue Jackson. Todd Bowles of the Dolphins has emerged as the first name on McKenzie's short list of possibilities. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Bowles-Emerges-as-First-Candidate-to-Coach-Raiders-137188228.html

Raiders won't be feudal or futile in Mark Davis era

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Mark Davis acted quickly once the season was over, hiring Reggie McKenzie as GM, who ousted head coach Hue Jackson. My ceding control of the franchise to a "football man," Al Davis' son signaled the start to a new -- and better -- era for the silver and black. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Signal-They-no-Longer-will-be-Feudal-or-Futile-137116148.html

49ers confident they can deal with Saints' blitz

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In August, the Saints' blitzing defense overwhelmed the 49ers in an exhibition game. But that was months ago, and the 49ers now say they will be able to deal with New Orleans' pressure when they meet Saturday in an NFC playoff game. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Confident-They-Can-Beat-Saints-Blitz-137098363.html

With time to rest, Gore is now good to go vs. Saints

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Running back Frank Gore took a beating this season, rushing for more than 1,200 yards. But by taking much of the season finale off, and earning a bye week, the 49ers veteran feels recharged and ready to go for the first playoff game of his career Saturday vs. the Saints. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/With-Time-to-Rest-Gore-is-now-Ready-to-Go-vs-Saints-137018953.html

Is "Marty Ball" about to make a comeback?

There are a few reasons the Tampa Bay Bucs would want Marty Schottenheimer, at 68, to be head coach. My piece for ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7443169

Can 49ers find a way to slow down the Saints?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website. Yes, the Saints are hot. They brushed aside the Lions in the NFC wild-card matchup Saturday, and now come to San Francisco with an offense that's running at full speed. But the Saints can be stopped; they were beaten three times this season and are a different team on the road than at home. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Saints-Are-Hot-but-They-Have-Been-Stopped-136942193.html

Jeopardy for Jan. 6 on ESPN.com's Page 2

Where else can you find information about Cubans and Bassmaster anglers? My Jeopardy for Jan. 6 on ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7431549

Niners found gold in 2011 NFL draft

Daily blog for NBC Bay Area website: Pass rush star Aldon Smith, fullback Bruce Miller and running back Kendall Hunter were just three of many impact rookies taken by the 49ers in the April draft. The rookies helped the team to a 13-3 record and an NFC West title. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Struck-Gold-With-Rookie-Class-136817128.html

McKenzie would bring Packers philosophy to Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Reggie McKenzie, known as an expert talent evaluator, might be just the fit for the Raiders, who are looking for a new GM. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McKenzie-Would-Bring-Packers-Philosophy-to-Raiders-136744078.html

Owner-GM-coach combination set up Niners for success

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers owner Jed York knew what to do: pick the right football people and get out of the way. Now, under Trent Baalke and Jim Harbaugh, the Niners are back in the playoffs after a long drought. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Foundation-for-49ers-Success-Started-at-Top-136740628.html

Hue Jackson isn't blameless in Raiders collapse

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: While Hue Jackson is spreading blame on others in the organization for the team's collapse late this season, some say the Raiders head coach might want to look in the mirror and see the true culprit. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Jackson-Not-Blameless-in-Raiders-Collapse-136668123.html

Twin curlers are chips off the old rock

Sarah and Taylor Anderson, 16-year-old twins from Pennsylvania, will be competing for the U.S. this month in the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck in the sport of curling. The fact they've chosen curling as their athletic obsession is no coincidence, because it's the passion of their father, Wayne, who had them on the ice when they were toddlers ... chasing after their older sisters. Their story for the U.S. Olympic website: http://www.teamusa.org/news/2012/01/04/twin-curlers-have-double-the-fun/46001?ngb_id=3

49ers hope red-zone improvement helps offense

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: For much of the season, the 49ers were woeful in the red zone. But over the final three weeks of the schedule, San Francisco made some improvements that paid off with TDs in six of eight red-zone chances. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Have-Hope-With-Improved-Red-zone-Offense-136664953.html

Jackson, confident of job, says he's part of Raiders' solution

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: A day after ranting about his players and his defense, Hue Jackson -- apparently confident in his position as head coach -- says he knows what needs to be done to make the team better and wants to have input into the selection of a new GM. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Jackson-Confident-Hes-Part-of-Raiders-Solution-136599803.html

They may not be flashy, but 49ers can be formidable

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: If the 49ers want to get to the Super Bowl, chances are they're going to have to beat the Saints and Packers, two teams that light up the scoreboard and make San Francisco look pedestrian. But the Niners believe what they do -- defense, special teams and taking care of the football  -- can translate into a winning playoff formula. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Believe-They-Can-Find-a-Way-to-Win-Against-Anybody-136596533.html

All signs pointed to overcoming his obstacles

John Morley was stricken with polio as a child, but never let it hold him back. He took his mother's words to heart and tried everything that he wanted to do and that other children were doing, including climbing trees. That attitude has helped him succeed in life, and today the Santee signmaker and Chamber of Commerce president is doing just fine. His profile for the "On the Job" series for Santee Patch: http://santee.patch.com/articles/for-him-all-the-signs-pointed-up#c

Niners, in workmanlike fashion, now focus on playoffs

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jim Harbaugh was relieved his team was able to hold off the Rams Sunday and secure a first-round playoff bye. The 49ers, who efficiently focused on improving themselves all season, now know they have two weeks to get ready to win their first playoff game since the 2002 postseason. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Serious-Workmanlike-Niners-Now-Focus-on-Playoffs--136531863.html

Jackson, "pissed" at his Raiders, vows to make changes

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Hue Jackson, angry that his team missed the playoffs, calls out his team and vows to make changes. The first casualty may be defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan, whose defense was consistently awful in 2011. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Angry-Jackson-Rips-Team-Vows-to-Make-Significant-Changes-136533223.html

Niners beat Rams, clinch No. 2 playoff seed

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jim Harbaugh's team concludes its first regular-season schedule by beating the Rams to finish 13-3 to lock up the NFC's No. 2 playoff seed and a first-round bye. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Hang-on-to-Beat-Rams-Clinch-No-2-seed-136507468.html

Volunteering has put her in the driver's seat

Cheryl Roberts used to think about volunteering, but with a fulltime job and kids to raise, she just didn't have the time. Now Roberts has retired and for three years has been a volunteer driver for the Rides4Neighbors program, giving rides around the county to the elderly and disabled. It has been an enriching experience, she says. Her story for La Mesa Patch: http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/story-for-january-about-good-deeds#c