Niners' wideouts are no longer forgotten

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Last season, there were many games the Niners receiving corps was a forgotten group. Now, it looks central to the team's offense. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Wide-Receivers-a-Key-Part-of-49ers-Offense-Again-169315686.html

Raiders' once-vertical game goes horizontal in opener

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: In Oakland's season-opening loss to Chargers, the team's passing game was mostly focused on short passes, a departure from the past. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/In-Opening-Act-Raiders-Offense-Takes-the-Short-Route-With-Passing-Attack-169321316.html

Raiders' loss is an instant replay of 2011 performances

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Too many penalties, a key fumble and mistakes on special teams are too much to overcome in Oakland's season-opening 22-14 loss to the Chargers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Mistakes-Costly-in-Loss-to-Chargers-169274106.html

49ers' QB Alex Smith appears even better in 2012

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In 2011, much-maligned quarterback Alex Smith became an effective NFL player for the first time in his career. Now, it appears Smith has taken another huge step forward, following the 49ers' 30-22 victory over Green Bay in the season opener. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/In-49ers-Opening-Win-Alex-Smith-Looks-Even-Better-169171906.html

Raiders cloaked in mystery heading into 2012 opener

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: What kind of team will the Raiders be in the 2012 season? It's almost impossible to know. Almost half the roster is turned over, the organization is new from top to bottom and several key injuries on offense leave the team with a giant question mark over it as it gets set to kick off the season against AFC rival San Diego ... a team also with many questions. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Opener-a-Matchup-of-Two-Mysterious-Teams-168924596.html

49ers open season with big win over the Packers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Was 2011 a fluke? Apparently not. The 49ers open the 2012 season with a convincing win over the Packers in Green Bay. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Use-Familiar-Formula-to-Beat-Packers-in-2012-Opener-169116526.html

Opening 49ers-Packers clash is a severe test for both

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers and Packers, two of the NFC's strongest teams, meet in the season opener, a huge test for both right out of the gate. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Packers-Will-Give-49ers-a-Great-Test-in-Season-Opener-168916156.html

Sometimes, it's a long road home from the Olympics

U.S. sprinter Carmelita Jeter, who won a gold, silver and bronze in London, is finally back home, able to relax and reflect. But it's been an exhausting route for Jeter -- and many other American Olympians -- who stayed in Europe to compete in several races after the London Games before heading back to the States. My story for the U.S. Olympic website: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/September/07/Taking-the-long-road-home-September-7-2012.aspx

First act in 49ers' Moss experiment is Sunday

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Randy Moss says he's pumped up for the season opener Sunday against the Packers, and the Niners are excited about Moss. They believe the 35-year-old can still be an impact player. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Moss-Excited-About-Opener-and-49ers-Excited-About-Moss-168769086.html

Raiders hoping Palmer again can be an elite QB

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Quarterback Carson Palmer's performance has dipped a bit in recent years, but the Raiders are betting Palmer, 32, is still the guy to lead an effective offense. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Believe-Palmer-is-an-Elite-NFL-Quarterback-168774166.html

John Elway was one of the best QBs in NFL history, but 30 years ago he showed as a minor leaguer that he could have starred in baseball

Thirty years after watching John Elway play for the Oneonta Yankees in the New York-Penn League, his manager and former teammates still rave about the raw talent he showed and the qualities of leadership that he showed. All believe Elway could have been a fine major league outfielder and a good hitter, with power and speed. And that throwing arm? As you might expect, it was sensational. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/10608/remembering-john-elways-summer-of-baseball

Forbes report shows 49ers are up, Raiders are down

Daily report for NBC Bay Area website on 49ers and Raiders: Forbes Magazine shows 49ers' franchise worth is rising, after a turnaround and a new stadium deal. The Raiders? Not so much. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Forbes-Report-49ers-Worth-Up-but-Raiders-Worth-Among-NFLs-Lowest-168658586.html

Harbaugh's new baby arrives on a 4-9er day

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Is this an omen? Little Jack Harbaugh was born on Sept. 4, the fourth day of the ninth month, making him a 49er through and through. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Oh-baby-Harbaugh-Blessed-With-New-Son-and-a-Good-Omen-168651806.html

Raiders' receiving corps thin going into opener

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore are still hobbling and even rookie Juron Criner tweaked his ankle this week, so going into the 2012 season opener vs. the Chargers, the receiving corps of the Oakland Raiders is thin. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Receiving-Corps-May-be-Thin-for-Season-Opener-168612106.html

Raiders' roster still being tweaked before opener

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Just days before the 2012 opener, the Raiders continue to make roster changes; in the latest move, DeMarcus Van Dyke has been released in favor of veteran corner Joselio Hanson, formerly of the Eagles. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Van-Dykes-Release-is-Latest-Move-in-Raiders-Makeover-168468686.html

NFC West may be tougher for 49ers this season

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The NFC West may have evolved from a group of pushovers to three teams harder to push over this season. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Path-in-NFC-West-May-be-Tougher-in-2012-168463766.html

Just maybe, this is the season Rolando McClain comes of age

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: As the No. 8 overall pick of the draft in 2010, Rolando McClain had great expectations thrust upon him. Now, perhaps, he's ready to fulfill them. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Hoping-This-is-McClains-Breakout-Season-168371706.html

49ers' Dobbs deserves four cheers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: When this season kicks off Demarcus Dobbs will play defensive end, tight end, special teams ... and now outside linebacker. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Counting-on-Dobbs-to-contribute-at-three-positions-in-2012-168368356.html

Little dogs provide big boost for patients at hospital

Harper, a 29-pound Bichon Frise, just loves to be around people, and for the past 4 1/2 years, the little guy and his person, owner Billie English, have been part of the pet therapy program at a San Diego hospital. The dogs' presence gives patients -- some who are in great distress -- some time to relax with a visitor who just wants to cuddle. My story for the San Diego Union-Tribune's pet page: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/01/lending-a-healing-paw/

Q&A with U.S. Paralympic soccer captain Josh McKinney

Josh McKinney has scored more goals and played more games for the U.S. Paralympic soccer team than any player in history. Now 33, he's played for the team since he was 16. Now in London, he hopes to help the U.S. win its first Paralympic medal. http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2012/August/31/QA-Josh-McKinney.aspx