Porter's a playmaker again in first year with Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Veteran cornerback Tracy Porter is doing what he's always done ... make plays. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Porter-Jenkins-Have-Been-Upgrades-at-Cornerback-231587361.html

Winter Vinecki, 14, completes quest, becomes youngest ever to complete seven marathons on seven continents

When her father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, Winter Vinecki, then 9, started a nonprofit to raise money and awareness to fight the disease. On Sunday in Athens, Greece, she completed her quest to finish seven marathons on seven continents, becoming at 14 years old the youngest ever to accomplish the feat -- which she did to bring attention to her cause. My followup to her final marathon, after my original story on her this past May on ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section. http://espn.go.com/blog/endurance/post/_/id/1772/vinecki-completes-seven-continent-quest

Bad trend: 49ers aren't playing well vs. NFL's top teams

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Against the Seahawks, Colts and Panthers -- three teams in the NFL's top tier in 2013 -- the 49ers have come up short. Does this mean the Niners don't have what it takes this season? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Falling-Short-Against-NFLs-Best-Teams-231444371.html

Is Pryor the Raiders' QB of 2014 and beyond?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Terrelle Pryor seems to have taken several steps back after putting together some strong performances at the start of the season. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Pryor-Needs-to-Improve-Quickly-for-2013-and-Beyond-231437361.html

Panthers put an end to 49ers' winning streak

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: A physical Carolina defense shuts down the 49ers, limiting San Francisco to just three field goals in a 10-9 victory. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Panthers-Knock-49ers-Off-Track-231371301.html

Raiders' Offense Disappears vs. Giants

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Last week vs. the Eagles, it was the Oakland defense that was the culprit. This week vs. the Giants, the defense showed up, but the offense didn't in a 24-20 loss to New York. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/This-Time-Raiders-Offense-Falls-Flat-231361411.html

49ers vs. Panthers is a clash of two streaking teams

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Panthers players are eager to come up big in San Francisco on Sunday to prove Carolina is in the top echelon of NFL teams. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Going-for-Sixth-Straight-Victory-231160111.html

Raiders have to go a long way to rebound this week

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders need to fix their defense, find a way to score more consistently and win in the Eastern time zone ... a tall task this week. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/After-Going-South-Raiders-Now-go-East-231153441.html

Former Olympic aerial skier Tracy Evans now focusing on charity work in war-torn Rwanda and Cambodia

Tracy Evans just returned from a trip to Cambodia, where she's hoping to soon expand her work with her charity, Kids Play International. Already, the former Olympic aerial skier has made a big impact with her work with KPI in Rwanda, which still feels the pains of a horrible civil war in the 1990s. My story for TeamUSA.org, the U.S. Olympic website: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2013/November/07/Olympian-Tracy-Evans-Looks-To-Expand-Charity-To-Cambodia

Where would 49ers be without Boldin?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers had no idea in March, when they acquired Anquan Boldin, how important he would prove to be in 2013. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Boldin-Has-Been-a-Blessing-for-49ers-at-Wide-Receiver-230999741.html

Allen trying to get Raiders to shake off Eagles loss

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: A 49-20 loss to the Eagles is "just one loss" says Raiders head coach Dennis Allen, and it's time to focus on the Giants Sunday. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Allen-Raiders-Try-to-Shake-Off-Loss-to-Eagles-230992971.html

Former Wisconsin star Brianna Decker is having the time of her life with the U.S. Olympic women's hockey team

Brianna Decker is known for her work ethic. The former Wisconsin All-America and Patty Kazmaeier Award winner as the best player in women's collegiate hockey has made herself a better player the past few years by putting in extra effort. But now that she's on the U.S. Olympic team as it practices and plays to get prepared for the Games in Sochi this February, she's also enjoying every minute of the ride. My story on Decker for USA Hockey. http://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/306763?referrer_id=752796

San Francisco D-Line getting rest and reinforcements

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Heading into season's second half, the 49ers defensive line is better rested than a year ago and getting an influx of young talent. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Defensive-Line-is-Getting-Rest-and-Reinforcements-230670091.html

Can Raiders' cornerback D.J. Hayden rebound vs. Giants?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie cornerback D.J. Hayden, who repeatedly gave up big plays in loss to Eagles this past week, now will have to rebound vs. savvy Giants QB Eli Manning. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/No-Rest-for-Raiders-DBs-with-Eli-Manning-up-Next-230663891.html

Nnamdi Asomugha may be in final days as a 49er

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With plenty of roster moves to be made this week, including the activation of cornerback Eric Wright, the 49ers' experiment with Nnamdi Asomugha may have reached its limit. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Asomugha-May-be-Odd-Man-Out-in-49ers-Roster-Reshuffle-230508891.html

Raiders' second-rounder Watson finally sees the field

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Offensive tackle Menelik Watson, finally healthy, makes his NFL debut in wipeout loss to Eagles. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/After-Making-Debut-Raiders-Watson-Ready-to-Tackle-Challenges-230503281.html

Raiders take a giant step back in loss to Eagles

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Eagles have a field day against Raiders, just when Oakland was ready to get back to .500. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/This-Time-Raiders-Are-Awful-in-Both-Halves-230432241.html

Technical director for California Center for the arts loves juggling his many roles behind the stage

Rob Collier loved theater when he was young, but the part he fell in love with most was making things work behind the scenes. Today, the technical director for the California Center for the Arts in Escondido stays immersed in his job, finding enjoyment in his many roles. My story on Collier for the On the Job series in U-T San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/nov/03/tp-arts-centers-technical-director-juggles-many/

Niners getting big boost from grade-A draft class

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Halfway through the 2013 season, it's apparent that the rookie class of 2013 is paying big dividends for the 49ers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Rookies-Playing-Key-Roles-230214831.html

Eagles' up-tempo offense will be test for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland's defense has been solid, but how will it do against the up-tempo, no-huddle, spread offense of the Eagles under new coach Chip Kelly? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Face-Challenge-in-Eagles-Up-Tempo-Offense-230209491.html