Raiders' Seymour is back ... but not for long

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Richard Seymour will return after missing five games with an injury, but the final three games of the 2012 are expected to be his last in a Raiders uniform. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Seymours-Raiders-Career-is-Winding-Down-183361491.html

Construction continues, but Sochi is ahead of the curve in preparation for hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics

Most of the venues are complete, yet construction crews are still working around the clock to build roads, a high-speed rail line and more hotels and infrastructure around Sochi, the Russian city on the Black Sea that will host the 2014 Winter Olympics. All in all, those who have visited the region say the Russians will be ready to welcome the world in a little more than a year. My story for the U.S. Olympic site, TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/December/12/So-Far-Sochi-Is-So-Good.aspx

On 12-12-12, a look at the tradition of the "12th Man" in football: at Texas A&M and Seattle, it has special meaning

In 1922, student E. King Gill came out of the stands to suit up for the Texas A&M football team when it had just 11 players available for a big game. Though Gill wasn't needed, he became the Aggies' 12th Man, and the school has celebrated his readiness and spirit ever since. In the decades since, other college and NFL teams have paid homage to their fans, a so-called 12th man that has put them over the top with their support and energy. But nowhere is the 12th Man more celebrated than in College Station, Texas in Aggieland, and in Seattle by Seahawks fans. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/15256/12-12-12-is-ultimate-day-for-am-12th-man

How tweet it wasn't; 49ers suspend Jacobs

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Make no mistake, Jim Harbaugh runs the 49ers. And if you're not onboard with his plan, you're likely to find yourself thrown overboard, as Brandon Jacobs was. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Jacobs-Pays-the-Price-for-Challenging-Harbaugh-183006661.html

Raiders haven't turned corner on cornerback woes

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Can anyone in silver and black play cornerback? With the waiving of Ronald Bartell, the team's turnstile at corner continues to spin. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Turnstile-at-Cornerback-Still-Spinning-182999321.html

LaMichael James Gives 49ers 'fresh legs'

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After standing on the sideline all season, rookie LaMichael James finally gets to show what he can do in a game. He may prove vitally important for the 49ers in December and January. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/James-Gives-49ers-Running-Game-a-Jolt-182838211.html

Draft position on the line in Raiders vs. Chiefs

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: the Raiders and Chiefs are out of the playoff hunt, but not out of the race for the NFL's top overall pick next April. Sunday's game is meaningful because of it. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Draft-Status-on-the-Line-in-Raiders-Chiefs-Game-182831091.html

It's a hoops manager's dream: Sometimes, they get a chance to move from handing out towels to handing out assists

They spend thousands of hours with the team, doing all the little things that are necessary to keep it functioning. College basketball's student managers hand out towels, drive coaches to the airport, edit film and sometimes fill in on the scout team. But, every now and then, a manager gets the chance to fulfill a dream and be activated as a player. Though it's rare, the managers who have gone through the metamorphosis have the experience of a lifetime. My story on their stories, for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/15151/hoops-managers-get-shot-at-playing-time

49ers rebound, easily beat Dolphins

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The San Francisco defense was solid again, and Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore combined to lead the 49ers to their ninth win after last week's disappointing loss to the Rams. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Rebound-With-Victory-Over-Miami-182757271.html

Season's pattern indicates 49ers will beat Dolphins

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After losing to the Rams in overtime last week, the 49ers are likely to get back on the winning track this week. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Hope-to-Rebound-vs-Dolphins-182549241.html

Will Raiders run out of patience with McFadden?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Darren McFadden returned to the Raiders Thursday night ... and then was injured again. Will the Raiders run out of patience with their often-injured star? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/McFaddens-Return-Clouded-by-Injury-182543971.html

Broncos give Raiders a sixth straight loss

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Even though they've already clinched the AFC West title, the Broncos took no mercy on the struggling Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Broncos-Give-Raiders-a-Seventh-Straight-Loss-182481921.html

Dolphins' rookie has big job to tackle

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With Pro Bowl tackle Jake Long out for the season, the Dolphins will put their trust in a rookie from Stanford to try to block Justin and Aldon Smith. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Dolphins-Rookie-Will-Have-to-Stop-49ers-Smiths-182382401.html

Do Raiders have a chance against hot Broncos?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Broncos have won eight in a row; the Raiders have lost five in a row. Thursday night's game looks like a mismatch. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Broncos-Raiders-Game-Looks-Like-a-Mismatch-182199571.html

Raiders' embattled coordinators in spotlight

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With head coach Dennis Allen spending time with his ailing father, coordinators Greg Knapp and Jason Tarver are running the show this week and having to explain the problems their units have had. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/In-Allens-Absence-Raiders-Coordinators-Take-Over-182028001.html

Why won't 49ers use rookies Jenkins and James?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With key injuries now impact the 49ers depth chart, why haven't coaches used rookies A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/With-Injuries-Mounting-49ers-Need-Jenkins-and-James-182021551.html

Kaepernick brings more highs (and lows) to 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: As demonstrated in the loss to the Rams Sunday, the 49ers offense with Colin Kaepernick as QB is a much more high-risk, high-reward scheme. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Offense-is-Different-With-Kaepernick-181852501.html

TE Brandon Myers has been bright spot for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: In a season of downers, tight end Brandon Myers has been a high for struggling Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Myers-Has-Been-One-of-Raiders-Few-Bright-Spots-181845941.html

Raiders can't fix problems, lose fifth straight game

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Even the 3-8 Browns look good vs. the Raiders defense in 20-17 victory over Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Same-Old-Story-for-Raiders-181769691.html

Kaepernick mistakes costly in OT loss to Rams

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Colin Kaepernick was good at times in Sunday's game against the Rams, but he also committed two costly mistakes that helped St. Louis to an overtime victory. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Fall-in-Overtime-to-Rams-181759341.html