Former Hawaiian kid is now attacking the frozen slopes on his snowboard

After losing his leg in a traffic accident, Evan Strong -- already a competitive skateboarder -- decided to say "yes" to everything that life offers. After getting used to his prosthesis, he plunged back into skating, then took up cycling, rock climbing, surfing and snowboarding. Now the U.S.'s top para-snowboarder is looking forward to competing in the debut of snowboarding in the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2012/October/10/First-stop-Maui-second-stop-Sochi-for-Evan-Strong.aspx

Olympic swimmer Vanderkaay basking in London afterglow

Peter Vanderkaay has competed in three Olympics and won four medals, including two golds. Now that he's back in his native Michigan, pondering his next move, he can look back at a long Olympic swimming career and feel blessed for the experiences he's had and the people he's met. My story for the U.S. Olympic site, TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/October/10/Swimming-Peter-Vanderkaay.aspx

Raiders hope Carter can give pass rush a jolt

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Andre Carter, elected to the Pro Bowl last year with the Pats, recently was signed by the Raiders as a free agent. They hope he can help their weak pass rush. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Hope-Carter-Can-Improve-Weak-Pass-Rush-173300581.html

Niners' Alex Smith keeps getting better and better

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Two years ago, 49ers fans were showering Alex Smith with boos and calls for his backup. Today, Smith leads the NFL in passer rating and is 17-4 over his last two seasons. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/For-49ers-Alex-Smith-Keeps-Getting-Better-and-Better-173307511.html

Raiders McKenzie doesn't like losing, but is patient

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland GM Reggie McKenzie is frustrated by the Raiders' poor start but is trying to be patient and concentrate on the big picture. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-McKenzie-Doesnt-Like-Losing-but-is-Looking-at-Long-Term-Picture-173128791.html

Niners' offense is run by an 'evil genius'

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Greg Roman had never been an offensive coordinator in the NFL before coming to the 49ers. Now, Roman is the so-called "evil genius" behind a unit that's steamrolling through the NFL. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Evil-Genius-Roman-Has-Breathed-Life-Into-49ers-Offense-173124111.html

49ers' offense clicking on all cylinders in win over Bills

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco sets record for offense with 621 yards in 45-3 blowout of the Buffalo Bills. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Offense-Comes-Alive-in-45-3-Victory-Over-Bills-173051331.html

Can Raiders right their wrongs on third down?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: On defense, the Raiders are last in the league on third-down plays, allowing opponents to convert on more than 52 percent of plays. On offense, the Raiders are nearly as bad, converting third-down plays at about a 23 percent rate. During the bye week, it's an area of focus. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Trying-to-Fix-Problems-on-Third-Down-172829351.html

Niners have their minds right after trip to East

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The wildly inconsistent Buffalo Bills come to Candlestick Park this Sunday to play a Niners team that seems to have regained its mojo and attitude after a 34-0 thrashing of the Jets last Sunday. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Back-at-Home-Face-Wildly-Inconsistent-Bills-172838261.html

Olympic athletes from London Games make smooth transition into coaching

Just a few weeks ago, they were competing against the world's best. Now, U.S. Olympic athletes from London are back in the States, embarking on new careers in coaching. Many are surprised to find themselves channeling their former coaches, parroting phrases and terms they heard for years. My story for the U.S. Olympic website, TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/October/04/Olympians-Grab-Their-Whistles.aspx

Despite awful results, Knapp says Raiders run game is improving

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders are last in the NFL in rushing, yet offensive coordinator Greg Knapp says he saw improvement in 37-6 loss to the Broncos. Really? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Knapp-Insists-Raiders-Running-Game-is-Picking-Up-Speed-172667671.html

Boone has been a boon to 49ers' offensive line

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: New starting guard Alex Boone has been exceptional in his first four games, combining with right offensive tackle Anthony Davis to give the Niners a feisty, aggressive combo. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Alex-Boone-is-Right-Man-for-49ers-at-Right-Guard-172660621.html

Raiders' Heyward-Bey returns to practice

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Darrius Heyward-Bey, who missed the Raiders game in Denver because of a concussion and injured neck, is back at practice and should be good to go for the next game. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Heyward-Bey-Returns-to-Give-Raiders-More-Receiving-Help-172468351.html

Bye week comes just in time for struggling Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: But can anything really help the 1-3 Raiders? Dennis Allen and his staff vow to fix the team's problems, but this team may get worse before it gets better. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Have-a-Bye-Week-to-Address-Numerous-Problems-172301891.html

Aldon Smith on pace to top rookie sack total

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: As a rookie, Aldon Smith had 14 sacks. Now in his second year, Smith is playing fulltime at outside linebacker and has 4 1/2 sacks in four games, far ahead of his pace from 2011. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Aldon-Smith-Ahead-of-Rookie-Sack-Pace-172294291.html

Paralympic snowboard standout Amy Purdy now tackling her latest challenge: "The Amazing Race"

When she was 19, Amy Purdy wanted to spend her life traveling the world, snowboarding and having new adventures. Even after losing both her legs because of bacterial meningitis, Purdy has gone on to do just that, and is one of the best U.S. hopes in snowboarding at the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi. Now, she's again traveling the globe as part of the cast of CBS TV's "The Amazing Race." My story on her for the U.S. Olympic website: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/October/02/Amy-Purdy-embarks-on-an-Amazing-Race.aspx

Kaepernick gives 49ers a wild card to scare opponents

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Colin Kaepernick hasn't played much, but when he's replaced Alex Smith in certain situations, running the 49ers' version of the wildcat offense, he's been effective. Now the 49ers have a wild card that every foe must prepare for. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Kaepernick-Gives-49ers-Foes-Something-to-Think-About-172105051.html

After four games, Raiders' ship has some obvious leaks

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland can't run, can't stop anyone else from running and is getting torched in the secondary. At 1-3, the Raiders appear en route to a horrible season. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/After-Four-Games-Raiders-Weaknesses-Are-Obvious-172112541.html

Raiders show little offense or defense in loss to Broncos

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Peyton Manning shredded the Oakland secondary and the Oakland offense was lifeless in Raiders' 37-6 loss in the Mile High City. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Defense-is-Defenseless-in--172017951.html

49ers rebound with convincing victory over Jets

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After losing their first game of the season, the Niners unleash a punishing ground attack -- with a few wrinkles thrown in -- and stifling defense in lopsided victory over the Jets in New Jersey. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Rebound-by-Running-Over-Jets-in-34-0-victory-172005761.html