New 49er MarQueis Gray making transition from QB to TE

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: At the University of Minnesota, MarQueis Gray was an option QB and wide receiver. Now he's trying to make the 49ers roster as an "athlete," by earning a job as a versatile tight end, halfback and special teams contributor. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Former-College-QB-Gray-Hoping-to-Make-49ers-in-New-Role-207216261.html

Tyler Wilson is darkhorse candidate to be Raiders QB

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tyler Wilson, a fourth-round draft choice, looks good in first minicamp. Some believe he might challenge Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor for Raiders quarterback job. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Tyler-Wilson-Looks-Good-in-Raiders-Rookie-Minicamp-207209021.html

Niners' new Tank eager to get rolling

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Defensive end Cornelius "Tank" Carradine, a second-round pick, will be the team's rookie camp this weekend, though he won't be able to go through drills. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Eager-to-Get-Their--Tank-Rolling-206926011.html

Raiders may bring in punter to challenge Marquette King

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Marquette King, signed last year as an undrafted free agent, may be the No. 1 punting candidate to replace Shane Lechler, but Raiders are likely to bring in a veteran to challenge him. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Seek-Veteran-Punter-to-Push-King-206921591.html

After 31 years, firefighter made the leap into a new career: now he's teaching people to skydive

Rich Grimm runs Tsunami Skydivers out of the Oceanside airport, taking both veterans and first-timers high into the sky above the Pacific and North County for drops. Grimm, a firefighter for 31 years, has himself made thousands of skydives and still makes the leap as often as he can. My profile of Grimm for the "On the Job" series in U-T San Diego's North County edition: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/may/10/tp-taking-the-plunge-proves-to-be-a-good-business/

49ers' Haralson is healthy again. But will he have a job?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Outside linebacker Parys Haralson missed all of 2012 with a torn triceps. Now he's fit again but faces stiff competition for a roster spot. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Haralsons-Healthy-Again-But-Will-Have-to-Fight-for-a-Job-206771131.html

Lockette may have a shot to make 49ers receiving corps

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Ricardo Lockette has been working out with Colin Kaepernick this offseason, and the 49ers think the ex-Seahawk and college track standout might have a place on this year's receiving corps. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Lockette-Eager-to-Fight-For-a-Spot-on-49ers-Receiving-Corps-206601241.html

A healthy Jacoby Ford would be big for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders really haven't had a healthy Jacoby Ford since his rookie year in 2010. His return would be a big lift in 2013. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Fords-Healthy-Return-Would-Give-Raiders-a-Jolt-206593751.html

Colt McCoy is happy in new role with 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Colt McCoy knows he won't the the starter for the 49ers this season, but he's absolutely fine with that. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Colt-McCoy-is-Happy-in-New-Role-Eager-to-Soak-up-Playbook-206435121.html

How good is Raiders' Matt Flynn? There are skeptics

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Matt Flynn is the presumed starter for the Oakland Raiders at quarterback this season. But how good is he? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Many-Still-Question-How-Good-Flynn-Can-be-for-Raiders-206427531.html

To some collectors, beat-up baseball cards are things of beauty; cards are treasured for their character, nostalgia value

If they're folded, spindled and mutilated in any way, old baseball cards are treasures to card collector Anthony Tarantino. He, like a small minority of baseball card collectors, doesn't care about mint-condition cards or collecting cards for their investment value. He loves cards for their nostalgia and character and stories, such as: "Why did someone draw a mustache on Phil Rizzuto?" My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/21560/the-value-of-beat-up-baseball-cards

Trade for Boldin ranks as one of NFL's best deals

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers acquired receiver Anquan Boldin for just a sixth-round pick. That deal is possibly the most lopsided trade this offseason in the NFL, considering that Boldin, at 32, may be as strong a leader as he is a receiver. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Trade-for-Boldin-Ranks-Among-Top-Offseason-Deals-206270381.html

Young football players are flocking to long-snapping camps with hopes of perfecting the skill and earning college scholarships

In an age of football specialization, young football players are flocking to long-snapping camps in order to perfect the skill and earn college scholarships. And, it's working. More and more college coaches are looking for almost made-to-order long snappers to plug into their programs and ensure stability at a key position for four years. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/21533/lines-growing-long-at-long-snapping-camps

Apparently, Niners' eyes were always on McDonald as TE

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Many thought the 49ers would target Zach Ertz of Stanford as a tight end on draft day, but it turns out Rice's Vance McDonald was the guy they wanted. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/New-Tight-End-McDonald-Could-be-Perfect-Fit-for-49ers-205974951.html

Former Duke receiver Vernon could be a catch for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Duke wideout Conner Vernon was bypassed in the draft, but some believe his great hands and precise routes could make him a top-flight NFL receiver. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Crop-of-Undrafted-Free-Agents-Looks-Good-205966531.html

Harbaugh may play quarterback B.J. Daniels all over field

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: When the 49ers took South Florida quarterback B.J. Daniels in the seventh round, they were excited to get a versatile player who might also contribute as a kick returner, running back and receiver. Coach Jim Harbaugh calls him a "Swiss Army knife" of versatility. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Excited-About-Quarterbacks-Versatility-205793541.html

South Africa wins world hockey championship (in Div. III) with help from American coach

Bob Mancini has been shuttling back and forth between the U.S. and South Africa the past couple of years, as USA Hockey has committed to help grow that nation's hockey program. When the South African coach had to suddenly step aside because of health issues, Mancini led South Africa to an IIHF world championship. My story for USA Hockey: http://usahockey.com/Players/Youth/Features/ManciniSouthAfrica.aspx

Raiders didn't want to 'force' a pick for defensive line

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland needed defensive line help going into the draft, but decided to go another direction with its top picks because it didn't like the value that was there. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Didnt-Want-to-Force-a-Pick-for-Defensive-Lineman-205608621.html

49ers see Auburn's Corey Lemonier as outside linebacker

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: At Auburn, Corey Lemonier was a defensive end. Now the recent San Francisco draft pick will be making the transition to outside linebacker, a la Aldon Smith, who made the same transition in 2011. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Hope-Lemonier-Can-Flourish-Like-Aldon-Smith-205618321.html

For Mr. Irrelevant, the NFL's last shall be first during Irrelevant Week in Newport Beach

Not every player has embraced the title of Mr. Irrelevant for being selected last in the annual NFL Draft. But each has loved the gifts, the cheers and the outpouring of love during Irrelevant Week in Newport Beach, Calif. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/21474/irrelevant-week-is-pretty-well-relevant