Rookie Sio Moore coming on in a rush for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie linebacker Sio Moore has expectations of Raiders fans skyrocketing after his pro debut, in which he sacked Cowboys QB Tony Romo and looked very good. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Rookie-Moore-Comes-on-in-a-Rush--219263471.html

Young players shine in Raiders' summer opener

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Sio Moore and Brice Butler share the spotlight on a night when other young players also perform well in Oakland's 19-17 win over Dalllas in exhibition game opener. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Young-Players-Stand-out-in-Raiders-Victory-219083481.html

In pro debut, 49ers' Reid is a big hit(ter)

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie safety Eric Reid has six tackles -- including two crushing hits -- in his NFL debut for 49ers in exhibition loss to Broncos. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Reid-is-a-Hit-in-49ers-Debut-218993071.html

Niners lose ragged exhibition opener, dodge injury scare

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners lose their exhibition opener to Denver, 10-6, in a sloppy, turnover-filled game. More importantly, they survive a scare with backup QB Colt McCoy. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Lose-Ragged-Opener-but-Dodge-Major-Injuries-218942731.html

Lamarr Houston is Raiders' underrated defensive standout

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Defensive end Lamarr Houston may be the anchor of team's defensive line in 2013 and the key to its pass rush. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Hoping-Houston-can-Lead-Pass-Rush-218844881.html

The marathon at Crater Lake ranks as one of the most scenic in the world. It can take your breath away with its beauty ... and altitude.

Nobody goes to run the Crater Lake marathon in Oregon to set a personal best or challenge a record. The run around the crater of the ancient volcano is at high altitude, the grades are often steep and the temperatures sometimes soar into the 90s in August, when the race is run. But going into its 38th year, the marathon and rim runs continue to be popular for the scenic beauty of the course and the challenge it presents. My story for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/9532583/endurance-sports-crater-lake-marathon-unique-scenic-course-draw-runners

So far, receiver Austin Collie is looking good for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners signed receiver Austin Collie out of need, but it could turn out to be a very rewarding move for the team. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Addition-of-Collie-Could-Pay-Big-Dividends-for-49ers-218690771.html

Tackle Alex Barron getting another chance with Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Offensive tackle http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/After-Absence-from-NFL-Raiders-Barron-is-Hungry-218684391.html

Alex Barron hasn't played an NFL game since 2010, but he's performing well in Raiders training camp.

Former alpine skier John Teller has flourished in new sport of skicross and ranks as best U.S. hope for a medal in Sochi

John Teller, who grew up skiing on Mammoth Mountain in California, tried for years to make the U.S. alpine ski team. After eventually giving up and going to work fulltime as an auto mechanic, a friend introduced him to skicross ... and Teller was hooked on it. Now, Teller is the best skicross racer in the U.S. and a strong medal contender at the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014. My story on Teller for TeamUSA.org, the U.S. Olympic website: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2013/January/01/Go-For-The-Gold-Home/Go-For-The-Gold-John-Teller

Niners' Reid is ready for his first trial vs. Peyton Manning

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: First-round pick Eric Reid has wowed his coaches and teammates in training camp, but fellow safety Donte Whitner believes it's important for Reid to learn some hard lessons in exhibition games. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Reid-Approaching-a-Challenging-Test-218523131.html

Wilson taking a step back in Raiders camp

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Quarterback Tyler Wilson, who looked so good in the spring, seems to be having a rough time in training camp so far. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Wilson-Experiencing-Growing-Pains-218516711.html

Jenkins returns, puts himself back in receiver hunt

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After a disappointing start to training camp, A.J. Jenkins has returned from some time off to shine in practice and put himself back at the head of the class fighting for a starting spot. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Suddenly-Jenkins-is-Back-in-Wide-Receiver-Picture-218372991.html

Raiders' defensive coordinator excited by what he sees

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Defensive coordinator Jason Tarver believes this mishmash of free-agent veteran pickups, rookies and holdovers has a chemistry that could lead to surprisingly good performances in 2013. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Believe-Defense-Will-Improve-in-2013-218369101.html

New book on Charles Manson by Jeff Guinn, "Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson," provides a much more complete look at the killer's life and ways

How did Charles Manson get his "family" to follow him? How did he evolve from a puny kid in West Virginia to perhaps the most infamous U.S. murderer of the past 50 years? Jeff Guinn's new book, "Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson," is a detailed, well-reported look at Manson's history that includes interviews with family members who never have spoken on the record before about Manson's early years. My book review for U-T San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/aug/04/tp-the-making-of-a-monster/

Cardiff's Dog Days of Summer Festival is back

Nearly 10,000 people (and dogs) are expected to fill the downtown streets of Cardiff next weekend for the annual Dog Days of Summer Festival, where unusual sights are the norm. My story for U-T San Diego's pets page:  http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/aug/02/Cardiff-dog-days-festival/

Jack-of-all-trades Daniels having a good camp with 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Seventh-round draft choice B.J. Daniels is earning praise in training camp for his ability to play multiple positions. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Daniels-Utility-is-Evident-in-49ers-Training-Camp-218104231.html

Rookie Rivera catching attention in Raiders camp

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Mychal Rivera, a tight end from Tennessee taken in the sixth round, is making some nice catches and blocking well in Raiders training camp. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Rookie-Rivera-is-Making-Raiders-Take-Notice-218098901.html

Runner, who has evolved from chubby dad to ultramarathoner in a year, now embarking on 163-mile event to aid worthy causes

Adam Scully-Power a year ago weighed 215 pounds and couldn't run 2 miles. But after seeing some photos of himself, he began shedding pounds. Then a series of events occurred that have brought him to the starting line of the Pan-Mass Challenge bike-a-thon, in which he will become the first person to run the 163-mile event in its long history as both a fund-raiser to fight cancer and to honor the victims of the Boston bombings. My story on Scully-Power for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/9525945/endurance-sports-scully-power-run-163-mile-pan-mass-challenge

'Brilliant' has been word for new Raiders linebacker Roach

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Nick Roach, Oakland's new middle linebacker, has been described by coaches and teammates as "smart" and "brilliant" in his new role as both defender and signal-caller. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Roach-Brilliant-as-Raiders-New-Middle-Linebacker-217932341.html

49ers will use rotation on defensive line in 2013

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: To cut down on the wear and tear on Ray McDonald and Justin Smith and keep the defense fresher, the 49ers plan to rotate more players into the defensive line in 2013. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McDonald-Smith-Welcome-Depth-on-Defensive-Line-217939621.html