Raiders' signing of Hardy is low-risk, high-reward move

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Why sign a college basketball player who's never played a down of college football? Because Andre Hardy may have some talent ... and it's a low-cost gamble. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McKenzies-Signing-of-Hardy-is-a-Low-Risk-High-Reward-Move-147329385.html

For 49ers, a changing trend with mock drafts

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Those who compile mock drafts are changing their focus on who the 49ers will take with their first-round choice, moving away from wide receivers and toward a couple of linemen. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Mock-Drafts-Trending-to-Guard-or-Defensive-Tackle-as-49ers-Top-Pick-147319045.html

Jeopardy for ESPN.com April 13

So what team is giving away young saplings on "Grow your own bat night"? My Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7808976

Special players may help 49ers' special teams in 2012

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The signings of Rock Cartwright and C.J. Spillman weren't sexy this offseason, but may pay huge dividends in 2012. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Offseason-Signings-Should-Help-49ers-Special-Teams-Stay-Special-147168975.html

History shows 49ers that 30th pick has high value

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: What to Joseph Addai, Dustin Keller, Kenny Britt, Reggie Wayne, Keith Bullock and Heath Miller all have in common? They were taken with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2000. As the 49ers prepare to pick 30th in this draft, they know they can get high value at that position. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/History-Shows-49ers-Can-Get-High-Value-for-30th-Draft-Pick-146989675.html

Death of Olympic diving champ Lenzi mourned

Mark Lenzi, the last American diver to win an Olympic medal, died at the age of 43 Monday in a North Carolina hospital. Lenzi, who was inspired to take up diving in high school while watching Greg Louganis in the 1984 Olympics, was mourned Tuesday by former teammates, coaches and friends as an inspirational and tough athlete. My story for the U.S. Olympic website: http://www2.teamusa.org/News/2012/April/10/Mark-Lenzi-passes-away-1968-2012-April-10-2012.aspx

Could Marcus Allen have been a great NFL quarterback?

Well, no. Though Allen could throw, the Hall of Fame running back said he always preferred hitting people to throwing a football. He didn't have the mentality to be a quarterback. In my Q&A for ESPN.com's Page 2, Allen talks about how he tried to fumble his way out of playing QB in high school, his career as a running back at USC and the NFL, his golf game and whether kids today know him as a former football star ... or just another talking head on TV. http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story/_/id/7713453/marcus-allen-talks-future-raiders-hall-fame-career-playing-quarterback-high-school

Raiders GM is upbeat about Palmer at QB and draft possibilities

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: You'd think Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie would be feeling woeful about his lack of picks in April's NFL Draft, and the fact he has a starting quarterback who may not be to his liking -- but you'd be wrong. Outwardly, at least, McKenzie is fine with both. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-McKenzie-Likes-Palmer-Isnt-Fazed-by-Lack-of-Draft-Picks-146827805.html

Two receivers linked to 49ers spark speculation

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website. Niners fans want to know what player the team will take with its first-round pick in the draft, the 30th overall. But two receivers who have been studied by the Niners -- Notre Dame's Michael Floyd and CSU Fullerton's Andre Hardy -- are sparking interest by observers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Pair-of-Receivers-Linked-to-49ers-Spawns-Speculation-146822525.html

New 49er back Jacobs happy to play backup role

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, who's now signed as a free agent with the 49ers, says he's willing to back up No. 1 back Frank Gore and play whatever role the team deems necessary for him. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Jacobs-Says-Hes-Happy-to-Play-a-Backup-Role-for-49ers-146662975.html

Many 49ers outraged by revelations of 'Bountygate' coach

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: When a tape was made public that caught Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams urging his players to injure key 49ers players before their playoff game last season, several Niners understandably were upset. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Many-49ers-And-Others-in-NFL-Are-Outraged-by-Saints-Tape-146428325.html

Jeopardy for April 6 on ESPN.com

So where was Rory McIlroy going to play college golf in the U.S.? My Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7781879

How long is Tiger's Masters drought? iPhones hadn't been released yet

From 1997-2005, Tiger Woods dominated the Masters, winning four times by the age of 29. But since that time, Woods is 0-for-Augusta. How long has it been? Well, when Tiger last put on a green jacket, nobody had an iPhone, Lindsay Lohan had never been arrested and Facebook was still Thefacebook. My story for ESPN.com: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7778589

Willis says 49ers love their 'crazy' coach

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: What's different about Jim Harbaugh? Well, as linebacker Patrick Willis sees it, the 49ers' head coach is crazy ... and that's a good thing. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Willis-Says-49ers-are-Crazy-for-Their-Crazy-Coach-146273935.html

Niners' offseason moves warrant an 'A' grade so far

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: When ESPN recently rated the offseason moves of all 32 NFL teams, San Francisco got an "A" -- and it's certainly deserved. The 49ers have retained their key players and strengthened some weak areas. But, there's still more work to do. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/San-Francisco-49ers-Get--A-for-Offseason-Moves-146098235.html

Raiders' McFadden says he's healthy, good to go for next season

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Running back Darren McFadden was have a terrific season in 2011 until the seventh game, when he injured his foot. He never played again. Now McFadden, who's been quiet since incurring that injury, says he's healthy again and excited for 2012 season. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-McFadden-Says-Hes-Healthy-Ready-for-Next-Season-146107825.html

Rogers likes addition of Moss, Manningham to 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Is Randy Moss over the hill? Not the way Niners cornerback Carlos Rogers sees it. If Moss is just half of what he used to be, he'll still be dangerous, Rogers says. And Manningham's speed is something defenses will have to contend with. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Rogers-Says-Moss-Manningham-Are-Great-Additions-145931435.html

Who's behind that bearded plane in the sky?

Virgin America airlines has unveiled its newly decorated "Fly Bye Baby" plane, decorated a la the San Francisco Giants -- its promotional partner -- complete with a black beard and mustache under the plane's nose. It's a hairy homage of Giants closer Brian Wilson, who's always been a bit... different. My story for ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7769494

49ers' late trade for right to pick Kilgore in 2011 may pay off this season

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Should the 49ers use the 30th overall pick in the draft this year to pick a guard, the only real hole on the team's starting 22? It's possible, but not probable. Last year, GM Trent Baalke traded up to draft Daniel Kilgore in the fifth-round, and now the 300-pound-plus converted tackle may be ready to compete for that spot. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Baalkes-Trade-to-get-Kilgore-May-Pay-Off-for-49ers-This-Season-145768725.html

Palmer can't wait to learn new playbook

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders QB Carson Palmer says he's eager to start reading and learning the new playbook put together by Dennis Allen and Greg Knapp for the team's West Coast offense. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Palmer-Excited-to-Learn-New-Raiders-Playbook-145776605.html