Raiders' fuzzy coaching picture may soon clear

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: If the Raiders don't go for Tony Sparano or Jack Del Rio this week, then what? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Clarity-on-Raiders-Direction-Should-Come-Quickly-288276111.html

NFL Divisional Round: the Winners & Losers ... including the NFL rulebook for the no-catch ruling on Cowboys' Dez Bryant

The Packers, Seahawks, Patriots and Colts are the clear winners of the NFL divisional round, advancing to the conference championship games. But who were the other winners ... and losers? My story for NBC national: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/NFL-Divisional-Round-Winners-Losers-football-playoffs-288205821.html

Key players (and units) to watch in the NFL playoffs divisional round

Preview of divisional round of NFL playoffs for NBC national websites: the key players or units who could make the biggest impacts. http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/NFL-Playoffs-Divisional-Preview--287965861.html

U.S. Paralympians delighted about U.S. hosting major events in 2015

Snowboarder Mike Shea and cross-country skier Tatyana McFadden are among the U.S. athletes excited about the fact several international Paralympic events will be held in the USA early this year. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2015/January/09/US-Paralympians-ready-to-compete-on-home-snow

Is Raiders' front office too dysfunctional for some coaching candidates?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders owner Mark Davis disputes one report that says some head-coaching candidates are put off by the way front office functions. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Mark-Davis-Disputes-Report-that-Some-Coaching-Candidates-Have-Issues-With-Team-288052621.html

The Shanahans' zone-blocking schemes may not fit 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Mike and Kyle Shanahan have run successful NFL offensive schemes, but the candidates for 49ers' positions rely on zone-blocking schemes that may not fit current personnel. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Shanahans-Zone-Blocking-Schemes-Might-Be-a-Problem-for-49ers-288057061.html

Why are 49ers courting other defensive coordinators?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With Vic Fangio on staff, there's no sense in 49ers' searching elsewhere for a gifted defensive coach. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Should-Not-Overlook-Fangio-287927611.html

MJD wants to return to Raiders; Oakland should just say no

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Maurice Jones-Drew experiment in Oakland didn't work. Time to move on. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Should-Cut-Ties-to-Jones-Drew-287923471.html

Hard-working Kaepernick ready to get better over offseason

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Colin Kaepernick has been one of the hardest-working players on the 49ers since being drafted from Nevada. This offseason will be no different, as he's headed to Arizona to spend seven weeks with former NFL QB Kurt Warner. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Kaepernick-As-Usual-Will-Put-in-Work-to-Get-Better-287793151.html

Brittany Bugalski's roots are in Florida, but even growing up in the Sunshine State she became a hockey standout

Brittany Bugalski now is a standout goaltender for the U.S. Under-18 women's hockey team, an unlikely outcome for a girl who grew up in Florida. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.usawomenshockey.com/news_article/show/463701

Niners may be on the fence about keeping Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Mike Iupati is an unrestricted free agent, and it's hard to know whether the 49ers think it's worth the investment to keep him. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Have-Big-Decision-to-Make-on-Mike-Iupati-287660611.html

What kind of coach are the Raiders seeking? It's hard to tell

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders have looked at old coaches, young coaches, offensive coaches and defensive coaches. What kind of coach do they want? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Coaching-Search-is-Wide-and-Diverse-287657231.html

For Natasha LaBeaud Anzures, running is a lifelong passion, and living healthy is a primary concern

Natasha LaBeaud Anzures is an elite distance runner and a member of the Canadian national cross country team. The San Diego resident is committed not only to a healthy lifestyle for herself, but for children, and has worked to establish an organization to help kids learn about healthy choices. My story on her for the first installment of a new series in U-T San Diego's Health section on being active, fit and healthy. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/jan/06/natasha-marathoner-exercise-kids/

49ers' Roman empire has fallen

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Offensive coordinator Greg Roman went from genius to the whipping boy of 49ers' frustrated fans. Now he's looking for a new job. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Romans-Reign-Has-Come-to-an-End-With-49ers-287525301.html

Can the Raiders keep center Wisniewski?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Center Stefen Wisniewski is now an unrestricted free agent, one of 11 the Raiders must choose to re-sign or let walk. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Keeping-Wisniewski-Among-Raiders-Free-Agent-Priorities--287519711.html

NFL Wild-card Weekend: Winners & Losers

Story for NBC national websites about winners & losers in the first weekend of the NFL playoffs: Terrell Suggs grabs a moment with his knees and Tony Romo shakes off his shaky history. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Romos-Clutch-Performance-Suggs-Clutching-Knees-HIghlight-Wild-Card-Weekend-287467531.html

Hey, 49ers: How about bringing in Chris Ault to help Kaepernick?

Daiy 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Chris Ault, the former Nevada coach and architect of the Pistol offense, might be just the man to get the most out of Colin Kaepernick. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Former-College-Coach-Could-Help-49ers-287334921.html

With 4th pick in draft, will Raiders connect with Cooper?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper seems tailor-made for the Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-New-Coach-Will-Need-to-Add-a-Big-Time-Receiver-287336421.html

What would Adam Gase bring to the 49ers?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco apparently will interview Broncos offensive coordinator for head coaching position. How good is he? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Broncos-Gase-Among-49ers-Coaching-Candidates-287282641.html

Mack gives Raiders' D a great foundation

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Khalil Mack didn't give Oakland a phenom pass rusher in his rookie season. He gave the team a great outside linebacker. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Mack-Gives-Raiders-a-Foundation-for-Future-287282461.html