Sizzling heat, tough climbs and 135 miles through the Death Valley desert? Yeah, it's one man's dream of doing the Badwater ultramarathon -- and a nightmare for anyone else

Army corporal Doug Long has been a long-distance runner for many years and has conquered quite a few ultramarathons. But the one he really wants to add to his achievement list is the Badwater ultra, the toughest in the world. Come next week, the veteran soldier will take off on his long-held quest to conquer the Badwater. My story for ESPN.com's Endurance sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/9472312/endurance-sports-long-prepares-world-toughest-race-death-valley

Well, at least the Raiders' uniforms are still good

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders have fallen on hard times, but at least the team's uniforms remain possibly the best in the NFL. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Are-Still-a-Top-Dog-in-Fashion-at-Least-215078791.html

Young 49ers waiting to step in at center after 2013 season

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: This will be Jonathan Goodwin's final contract year with the 49ers, so at age 34 it also might be his last on the roster, too. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/This-may-be-Farewell-Year-for-49ers-Goodwin-215089151.html

Seahawks ready to pound 49ers' eardrums in September

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: When the 49ers travel to Seattle for Game No. 2 of the 2013 season, the Seahawks' 12th Man may be even louder than usual. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Have-Heard-Seahawks-Message-Loud-and-Clear-214911931.html

Will this be final year for Janikowski with Raiders?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kicker Sebastian Janikowski would like to remain a Raider, but will that be possible? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Janikowski-Heading-Into-Final-Year-of-Raiders-Deal-214904181.html

U.S. women's volleyball team excited about rare series on home soil in USA Volleyball Cup vs. Japan

Ordinarily, the U.S. women's volleyball team is a group of nomads, traveling the globe to play matches in Europe, South America, Asia and Australia. But now players and new coach Karch Kiraly are looking forward to a three-match set vs. Japan in the new USA Volleyball Cup in San Diego, Long Beach and Orange County. My story for TeamUSA.org. http://www.teamusa.org/News/2013/July/10/Home-Sweet-Home

Niners' Dixon again will have to fight for a job

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Every year, it's the same story: running back Anthony Dixon must battle to maintain his spot on the roster. Can he be a winner again? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Dixon-Again-Faces-Fight-for-Job-214745151.html

Undrafted rookie QB Matt McGloin faces long odds

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Matt Flynn is No. 1 and Terrelle Pryor and fourth-round pick Tyler Wilson are right behind him on the Raiders quarterback depth chart. So where does that leave Matt McGloin? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Undrafted-McGloin-Faces-Long-Odds-With-Raiders-214743851.html

USA Hockey Development camps focus on the future

When Kenny Rausch watches the U.S. Olympic team take the ice at the Sochi Games this February, he'll see so many familiar faces he first came to know when they were young teens at the USA Hockey Development Camps. Rausch and so many other coaches at the camps, work to build a foundation for future success that has long paid off for U.S. hockey in the Olympics, World Championships and in the NHL. My story for USA Hockey: http://playerdevelopmentcamps.usahockey.com/news_article/show/269687?referrer_id=803951

Kaepernick motivated by skeptics and critics

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is heading into the 2013 season intent on showing he's not just a one-year wonder. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Kaepernick-Motivated-to-Prove-Hes-Not-a-One-Year-Wonder-214610311.html

Raiders' rookie Watson trying to be 'assignment perfect'

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie offensive lineman Menelik Watson is working hard, trying to be 'assignment perfect' when he's on the field or in the study room. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Like-What-They-See-in-Watson-214605911.html

Crabtree has new look as he starts comeback work

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers wideout Michael Crabtree begins work toward his comeback with a freshly shaved head. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/New-Look-Crabtree-Already-Working-Out-214382431.html

Raiders' returns on Cribbs could be plentiful

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Josh Cribbs is a low-risk, high-reward signing that could pay big dividends for the Raiders this coming season. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Cribbs-May-Bring-Raiders-Many-Happy-Returns-214378061.html

Niners' corner Tarell Brown working to maintain edge

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Starting cornerback Tarell Brown has been overshadowed this offseason, but that doesn't take away from what he brings to the 49ers.http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Brown-Aims-Even-Higher-214282541.html

VA's Paralympic program aiding veterans in new pursuits

Twelve members of the U.S. team going to Lyon, France, for the Paralympic World Championships this month are veterans or active-duty military members who have been able to get into adaptive sports and become elite competitors thanks to a Veterans Affairs program. My story for TeamUSA.org, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic website: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2013/July/03/VA-Program-Fuels-Elite-Athletic-Careers

49ers have linebacking depth if they need it

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The questioning of linebacker Ahmad Brooks about an incident he was alleged to have been a part of prompts the question: How strong is the depth of the linebacking corps? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Linebacking-Corps-Has-Fine-Depth-214151371.html

McKenzie's 2013 draft class praised by analyst

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Greg Cosell of NFL Films says Reggie McKenzie's 2013 draft crop is a good one. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McKenzies-Draft-Class-Earns-Some-Praise-214144441.html

Asomugha believes he's a good fit with Niners

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is feeling like he and the 49ers' defense have made a good fit. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Asomugha-Believes-49ers-are-a-Good-Fit-for-Him-213986181.html

'Contract year' could help spur Raiders' McFadden

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Running back Darren McFadden needs to have a big season if he wants big money in 2014. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McFadden-Needs-to-Run-For-the-Money-in-2013-213980941.html

49ers' Lockette has key connection to Kaepernick

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Ricardo Lockette may have an edge in his battle for a wide receiver spot on the 49ers: his friendship with QB Colin Kaepernick. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Lockette-Has-it-all-Size-speed-and-chemistry-with-Kaepernick-213834891.html