For Raiders, QB Josh Freeman seems a good fit

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Josh Freeman might be a low-cost, high-upside signing for the Raiders when free agency begins. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/A-Gamble-on-Freeman-Makes-Sense-for-Raiders-249449771.html

Would 49ers sign Michael Vick to be No. 2 quarterback?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: One national writer suggests the 49ers might be a good landing spot for Michael Vick if he can't find a team that will give him a No. 1 job. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Report-Vick-Could-be-Answer-to-49ers-Question-at-Backup-QB--249291801.html

Raiders eyeing backup plan at left tackle

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: If Jared Veldheer signs in free agency, what will Raiders do? GM Reggie McKenzie is doing his homework. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Working-on-Contingency-Plans-at-Left-Tackle-249287051.html

Bobsledder Elana Meyers still on a fast, wild ride after coming home from Sochi with a silver medal

As a bobsledder, Elana Meyers doesn't often get attention, but since winning a silver medal in Sochi, the two-time Olympian has been recognized in public, praised by Georgia politicians and signed thousands of autographs -- and she's loving every second of it. My story on her for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/March/06/Sochis-Hometown-Heroes-Elana-Meyers

Re-signing Boldin works on many levels for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Anquan Boldin, back with the 49ers for two more years, is as strong a leader as he is a pass catcher. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Anquan-Boldin-Brings-More-Than-Receptions-to-49ers-249009031.html

On new path, Raiders need old Woodson

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Charles Woodson is 37, but he showed Raiders last season that he's still a playmaker ... and that he'd be a smart re-signing for 2014. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Need-Veteran-Woodson-249004301.html

Despite a long battle with cancer, Dr. Moses Christian kept up a remarkable streak of marathons; now, however, it appears Sunday's L.A. Marathon could perhaps be his last

In 1993, Dr. Moses Christian took up running. The next year, he did his first marathon -- and also learned he had prostate cancer. Over two decades, he's continued to run while treating his cancer in a holistic manner. Recently, however, the cancer has spread. But Christian is determined to do Sunday's Los Angeles Marathon. My story for ESPN.com: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/10562285/endurance-sports-cancer-keep-81-year-old-runner-los-angeles-marathon

Niners now doing one-on-ones with top prospects

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The latest athlete under the 49ers' microscope is Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Interviewing-Top-Prospects-248835801.html

Raiders seem to be gambling with Jared Veldheer

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area webiste: Why the delay in Raiders' negotiations with tackle Jared Veldheer, who could sign with another team next week? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Veldheer-Coming-Down-to-the-Wire-248807881.html

Sochi-bound Paralympian Alana Nichols is working hard to create paths for future Paralympians

Alana Nichols, the first woman to win Paralympic medals in both summer and winter Games, is on her way to Sochi as a skier. But Nichols, who also has won medals in wheelchair basketball, is also working hard to help young athletes with disabilities follow in her path. My story for TeamUSA.org, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic website. http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/March/05/Alana-Nichols-Sets-A-Path-For-Others-To-Follow

Former San Diego State standout Joe Corona hoping for a chance to be part of U.S. World Cup team in Brazil this summer

Joe Corona played just one season at San Diego State before going on to play professionally in Mexico. But the former high school star in the San Diego area showed coach Lev Kirshner in his brief time with the Aztecs that he has big-time playmaking skills -- which he's demonstrated in recent stints with the U.S. national team. Now Corona, a star with Tijuana's Xolos of the first division, is hoping he gets the chance to play for the U.S. in the World Cup in Brazil this summer. My story for San Diego State's 360 Magazine: http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news.aspx?s=74782

Harbaugh's on the scouting trail for quarterbacks

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Reports that Jim Harbaugh was at a private workout for Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo indicate that the 49ers head coach is taking a personal interest in finding a young, No.2 QB. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Jim-Harbaugh-Involved-in-Scouting-Quarterbacks-248572441.html

Abbey D'Agostino blossomed from 'dime a dozen' high school runner to dominant star at Dartmouth, where she's won five NCAA championships, with more to come

In high school, Abbey D'Agostino had some good races, but wasn't consistent. But once she got to Dartmouth, she discovered a passion for running she'd never had before. Now she's become one of the most dominant distance runners in the nation, having won five NCAA titles in cross country and indoor and outdoor track. My story for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/10549096/endurance-sports-dartmouth-abbey-dagostino-adding-impressive-accomplishments

Taylor Chace excited to help U.S. quest to defend sled hockey gold medal from 2010 Vancouver Paralympics

This will be the third Paralympics for U.S. sled hockey standout Taylor Chace, who now is working to help the Americans become the first nation to win consecutive gold medals in the sport. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2014/March/04/Taylor-Chace-Defending-gold

Rachael Bona has stepped up her game to help No. 1 Minnesota in its quest for three straight NCAA hockey championships

Junior forward Rachael Bona is the No. 3 scorer in the nation, and playing well all over the ice, for top-ranked and defending-champion Gophers. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.pattykaz.com/news_article/show/356370?referrer_id=718465

Boldin re-signing helps 49ers, Kaepernick

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: One of the happiest 49ers Monday was quarterback Colin Kaepernick, overjoyed at getting the chance to play with Anquan Boldin in 2014 and 2015. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Colin-Kaepernick-2014-Looking-Brighter-With-Anquan-Boldin-248384551.html

Raiders' Murray, sidelined in 2013, could play big role

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Running back Latavius Murray, who missed his rookie season because of injury, might be big player for Oakland in 2014. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Eager-to-See-Latavius-Murray-in-Action-248378391.html

Tyler Wagner endured his cancer, and the infections and complications that followed, but now sees every day as a new opportunity

Tyler Wagner was shocked when he was told he had cancer. Then, over the next year and a half, he endured not only the cancer, but the horrific complications that arose because of pneumonia and a fungal infection. All through his ordeal, however, he kept pedaling on his bike. It was one of the few things that helped him keep his sanity. My story on Wagner for the "Courage Through Cancer" series for U-T San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/mar/03/wagner-infections-chemo-tumor/

History: 49ers should (eventually) side with Harbaugh

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: If the 49ers ever had to choose between head coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Trent Baalke, past disputes in the NFL show that the Niners should pick the winning head coach. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/History-Favors-Harbaugh-in-Feud-With-Front-Office-248212231.html

Sources: Raiders prefer Carr over Manziel

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Some reports now indicate the Raiders like former Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr over Heisman winner Johnny Manziel. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Reports-Raiders-Prefer-Carr-Over-Manziel-248206521.html