Little receiver Ellington has big-time speed

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Bruce Ellington has shown great quickness in 49ers workouts since being drafted, and Colin Kaepernick loves his deep-route potential. But on this roster, how much of an opportunity will he get to play? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Little-Ellington-Has-Big-Impact-Potential-267019601.html

After offseason work, Baalke excited to see 49ers develop

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Niners GM Trent Baalke is eager to see the new players mesh with the old when training camp opens in two weeks, after what he calls a very good offseason. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Baalke-Eager-for-Training-Camp-266754611.html

Did 49ers really have a "Grade C" offseason?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In grading NFL teams' offseason moves, Sports Illustrated this week gave the 49ers a C grade.http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Conservative-Offseason-Might-Have-Been-Best-Course-266597901.html

Niners can Dial up some D-Line help this season

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Quinton Dial is poised for a breakout year on the defensive line in San Francisco. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Quinton-Dial-Could-Blossom-in-Second-Season-266443061.html

Wisniewski remains Raiders' man in the middle

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Center Stefen Wisniewski likely will be the lone remnant of last year's offensive line in Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Stefen-Wisniewski-Leads-Remade-Offensive-LIne-266435621.html

Raiders offense may be a run-run-run attack

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Left tackle Donald Penn gave a hint about what Oakland's philosophy on offense will be in 2014. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Offense-May-Have-Some-Legs-266220501.html

Was Kaepernick dissed as only 14th among NFL QBs?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Are there 13 starting QBs better than Colin Kaepernick in the NFL? Apparently. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Kaepernick-Not-Yet-Ranked-Among-NFLs-Best-Quarterbacks-266231951.html

Raiders' Mack reveals the things that motivate him

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie linebacker Khalil Mack writes a story for Sports Illustrated's Monday Morning Quarterback that shows how motivated he is to make a big splash for Oakland in 2014. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Mack-Motivated-to-be-Among-NFLs-Best-266045361.html

"Neil Armstrong: A Life of Flight": New biography, written by longtime friend Jay Barbree, reveals the very private side of first man to walk on the moon

By walking on the moon in 1969, Neil Armstrong became one of the most famous men in the world. Yet fame was something he never sought or enjoyed. A new biography, written by NBC correspondent and friend Jay Barbree, tells Armstrong's story. My book review for U-T San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jul/06/tp-armstrong-beyond-the-moon/

Speedy Morris may have bigger future with 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Cornerback Darryl Morris, a special teams standout in 2013 and the fastest 49ers player, is in the mix for winning a cornerback job. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Speedy-Determined-Morris-Hoping-to-Win-49ers-Job-265823551.html

For San Diego's professional dog walkers, every day is a stroll in the park with a pack of furry friends

There are some downsides to being a pro dog walker, and there's not a whole lot of money in it, but for those who've done it for many years in San Diego it's mostly a pleasant, happy experience away from offices and bosses. My story for U-T San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/Jul/03/dog-care-happy-business/?#article-copy

U.S. women's sitting volleyball team just misses gold medal at World Championships, says it's ready to shed the runner-up label at Rio in 2016

Heather Erickson says now that she's "over silver" after coming away with silver medals at the past four Paralympics or World Championships in sitting volleyball. The question is, how does Team USA get past China at Rio de Janeiro in 2016? My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2014/July/03/Over-silver-US-women-ready-for-sitting-volleyball-gold

49ers' Wilhoite, Borland on a collision course

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie Chris Borland knows Michael Wilhoite is the front-runner to start in place of injured linebacker NaVorro Bowman, but it should make for a spirited duel in training camp. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Battle-to-Replace-Bowman-Should-be-Interesting-Competition-265704131.html

Raiders' Schaub has legion of disbelievers

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Matt Schaub this week has twice been ranked among the worst starting QBs in the NFL. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Its-Schaub-vs-the-World-265698901.html

Whitewater kayaker Michal Smolen having a breakthrough year on his route toward Rio in 2016

This year, Michal Smolen is having unprecedented success, winning the U-23 world championship and also a bronze medal on the World Cup circuit in whitewater kayaking. Still only 20, Smolen likely is America's best hope for a medal in the 2016 Olympics at Rio de Janeiro. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/July/02/Smokin-Smolens-Breakthrough-Year

Justin Tuck wants to be a leader with Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Ex-Giant defensive end Justin Tuck was brought in by Oakland not only for his skills as a player, but for his leadership qualities, and Tuck says he's eager to utilize both with the Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Tuck-Hoping-to-be-a-Leader-in-Oakland-265543621.html

One former Dolphin: Foes will be out to get 49ers' Martin

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder says new 49ers lineman Jonathan Martin could be in for a rough season on the field, with opponents targeting him for his conduct in Miami. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Ex-Teammate-Says-Martin-Will-Get-Everybodys-Best-Shot-in-2014-265548551.html

No worries, Vernon; Davis unlikely to hold out

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Vernon Davis held out during minicamp, but his words now indicate he's unlikely to hold out during training camp. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Davis-Indicating-His-Holdout-is-Over-265392661.html

Jones-Drew ready to flash old form in new uniform

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Maurice Jones-Drew, who said he was ready to retire last season, now is fit and energized to play in Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Jones-Drew-Ready-to-Show-Old-Form-With-New-Team-265385461.html

Eight-time Winter Olympic medalist Apolo Ohno is transitioning from quick-burst short-track speedskating to becoming an Ironman triathlete

Apolo Ohno, who retired from short-track speedskating after the 2010 Olympics, is now on a much different path, training for the Ironman World Championship at Kona in October. After making his half-Ironman debut recently, it appears he's on the right track. My story for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/11156662/endurance-sports-former-olympian-apolo-ohno-now-taking-triathlon-challenge