Raiders intrigued by BYU's raw but athletic Ezekiel Ansah

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Going for defensive end Ezekiel Ansah with the No. 3 pick in the draft might be considered a reach, but as the draft nears, the BYU standout is climbing the boards -- and the Raiders have shown interest. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Potential-of-BYU-Pass-Rusher-Has-Caught-Raiders-Interest-202530661.html

Even if 49ers wait a bit, they can get a high-impact safety

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: According to several NFL analysts, this crop of safeties is deep and talented, meaning San Francisco can be patient and still get a good player. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/With-Deep-Class-of-Safeties-49ers-Have-Options-202342231.html

Does Raiders' Andre Carter still have something left?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Andre Carter, at 33, has been re-signed by the Raiders for 2013, and Oakland hopes the veteran defensive end can still be a big contributor as a pass-rush specialist. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Believe-Carter-Has-Something-Left-202330931.html

Niners are still in the market for another quarterback

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Even after acquiring Colt McCoy, the 49ers are expected to select a quarterback in the draft with a mid- to low-round pick. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Even-With-McCoy-49ers-are-Expected-to-Draft-a-Quarterback-202142611.html

Cornerback Mike Jenkins seeking redemption with Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Pro Bowl corner Mike Jenkins, just 28, is hoping to kick-start his once-promising career by signing with Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-New-Cornerback-Has-Something-to-Prove-202132871.html

In minor league baseball, bacon on the menu is more important than a power-hitting first baseman

What's the most important thing a minor league baseball team can offer its fans? A great park? A good team? Special promotions? How about ... BACON! From Maine to California, teams draw fans with the lure of newer, bigger, badder items loaded down with bacon. It's a sure winner. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/20692/bacon-takes-minor-league-baseball-by-storm

Bowman not ready to rate Seahawks over 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Seattle has made big strides in the offseason, but 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman isn't ceding the NFC West to the Seahawks just yet. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Bowman-Isnt-Ready-to-Cede-Division-to-Seattle-201940771.html

49ers commitment to Davis is commitment to offensive line

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners' signing of tackle Anthony Davis to a long-term deal reflects a commitment to the team's heart and soul, its offensive line. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Deal-for-Davis-Shows-49ers-Commitment-to-Offensive-Line-201625941.html

Rising marathon star Guor Maker, once a refugee, is determined to make things better in his homeland

Once Guor Maker was a boy without a country. Today, he has two, the United States and South Sudan, where he was born. The rising marathon runner, who went to high school in New Hampshire after escaping a civil war and slavery, is now a U.S. citizen who wants to represent South Sudan on the world stage and bring notice to the people there. My story for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/9112930/marathoner-guor-maker-come-long-way-refugee-roots

The fall of Roman's empire? It's a likely scenario

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Offensive coordinator Greg Roman had done wondrous things for San Francisco's offense, and is already excited about doing more in 2013. But in 2014, don't expect him to be working for the 49ers any longer. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/This-Season-Could-be-Romans-Last-With-49ers-201461191.html

Raiders' future may be brighter ... after 2013 season

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: After two offseasons of roster purges because of salary-cap woes, it appears the Raiders will be in good shape -- after 2013. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Future-May-Look-Brighter-for-Raiders-After-2013-201449671.html

Over 116 years, the Boston Marathon has had some crazy moments, including (of course) Rosie Ruiz, train interruptions and a runaway dog

Rosie Ruiz was perhaps the strangest occurrence ever to hit the Boston Marathon, but in 116 years, the race has had some strange, memorable moments. Heading into the 117th race, we take a look at the 10 craziest episodes of America's oldest marathon for ESPN's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/9076078/boston-marathon-doug-williams-scans-race-116-years-ids-10-most-memorable-moments

Signing of Asomugah opens door to intense competition

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The signing of former Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugah means competition for Carlos Rogers, Tarell Brown and Chris Culliver. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Secondary-May-be-a-Competitive-Place-201264931.html

Tracy Porter needed Raiders as much as they needed him

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland's secondary was short of cornerbacks, and former Saints standout Tracy Porter needed a chance to re-start his career. The marriage of Porter and the Raiders is a plus for both. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Porter-Signing-is-Good-for-Raiders----and-Porter-201255541.html

Bill Singer locked up baseball's first save in 1969 but didn't realize he'd made history until years later

Bill Singer was the most unlikely of pitchers to earn baseball's first save in 1969. He was a starter who would win 20 games that season, and he went on to another 20-win season and a no-hitter. Yet Singer, pitching three scoreless innings in relief of Don Drysdale on opening day that season, notched baseball's first save (a stat adopted that year). Singer didn't realize he'd made history until years later. My story for ESPN.com: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/20460/before-riveras-600-singer-forgot-first-save

U.S. women's hockey team goes into world championships with blend of youth, experience

One is an 18-year old college kid; another is a 32-year-old, three-time Olympian. Together they help make up an all-star roster of youngsters and longtime national team players who have been selected for the U.S. women's hockey team that goes into the World Championships in Canada. Though their taste in music and movies might be far different, the teens, 20somethings and players past 30 have one thing in common: bring back a gold medal. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/Road-to-Sochi-2014/Features/2013/April/02/Young-Talent-Keep-US-Women-Strong-Fresh.aspx

Niners trade for McCoy to battle for backup job

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In his short tenure in Cleveland, Colt McCoy took a beating on the field and to his won-loss record. Now the former Texas star gets a fresh start in San Francisco. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McCoy-Pummeled-in-Cleveland-Gets-Fresh-Start-With-49ers--201073921.html

For Raiders, is Flynn the answer? Or another question?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland traded for Seattle backup QB Matt Flynn, giving him a chance at the starter's job for 2013. Will Flynn be the solution to the team's problems at the position for a decade, or is it just another questionable deal? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Hope-Flynn-is-Answer-to-Quarterback-Question-201063291.html

In 1974, it took a very special North Carolina State team to end UCLA's championship streak

The Wolfpack of North Carolina State had David Thompson (aka Skywalker), 7-foot-2 center Tommy Burleson, 5-foot-7 point guard Monte Towe and exceptional role players. It also had a chip on its shoulder, having been declared ineligible for the postseason the previous season for a recruiting violation. But in 1974, coach Norm Sloan's team put itself into the discussion of the best teams in NCAA history by stopping the Bruins and interrupting UCLA's long string of championships. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/20400/in-1974-n-c-state-stood-atop-hoops-world

With Hunter back, 49ers backfield could be crowded

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Recent reports say running back Kendall Hunter is ahead of schedule in recovery from Achilles' tendon surgery. If he returns, Niners would have talented and crowded backfield with Frank Gore and LaMichael James. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Backfield-May-be-a-Crowded-Place-200883291.html