Torrey Smith brings a lot of pros (and some cons) to 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: New 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith may be the NFL's best deep-threat receiver, but he has some holes in his skill set. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Torrey-Smith-Finally-Gives-49ers-a-Deep-Threat-295922271.html

Big Dan Williams a nice pickup for Raiders defense

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Defensive tackle Dan Williams, signed as a free agent from Arizona, is one of the NFL's best against the run. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Addition-of-Dan-Williams-Would-Benefit-Raiders-Defense-295915961.html

Marie-Philip Poulin of Boston University ranks as one of world's best players

Marie-Philip Poulin already has won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada. Now the creative and all-around Boston University star has the Terriers hoping for an NCAA title. My story on her for USA Hockey: http://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/489011?referrer_id=1093254

For many of America's Olympic speedskating stars -- from Heiden to Jansen to Ohno -- inspiration for greatness came at age 14

When Dan Jansen saw what Eric Heiden did at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, he became more inspired to achieve greatness. Jansen was 14 when he saw Heiden win five gold medals, and it turns out that other future stars also were 14 when they also were inspired by watching excellence on the ice. My story for U.S. Speedskating: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Speedskating/News/Featured-News/2015/March/09/To-become-an-Olympic-Speed-Skater-for-many-the-dream-begins-at-age-14

After striking out on Suh, Raiders can still score in free agency

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders can still spend their money wisely and to good effect with some key free-agent acquisitions. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Can-Still-Make-a-Big-Splash-in-Free-Agency-295758111.html

49ers franchise seems to be unraveling day-by-day since decision to force out head coach Jim Harbaugh after an 8-8 season

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Frank Gore, Patrick Willis, Mike Iupati, Michael Crabtree, Dan Skuta and, perhaps, Justin Smith, Ahmad Brooks, Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox all have left -- or will be leaving -- the 49ers. Now, too, fullback Bruce Miller is in trouble. Are the 49ers in for a total collapse in the post-Jim Harbaugh era? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Talent-is-Fleeing-from-49ers-Ship-295764311.html

Raiders reach deal with free-agent center Hudson

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rodney Hudson, who was ranked as the NFL's No. 3 center by Pro Football Focus, has reached a five-year deal with the Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Hudson-Appears-to-be-an-Upgrade-Over-Wisniewski-295612681.html

Willis' retirement news a surprising development for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Patrick Willis is only 30, and a perennial All-Pro pick. Yet it appears he will announce Tuesday that he's retiring. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Reports-Niners-Patrick-Willis-to-Retire-295617951.html

The 49ers have a logjam at inside linebacker

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman returning, the Niners have a wealth of strong, inside linebackers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Have-a-Logjam-at-Inside-Linebacker-295351921.html

Raiders' GM McKenzie deserves some applause

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders are in a great salary-cap position, thanks to the work of Reggie McKenzie. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Despite-Some-Whiffs-McKenzie-Deserves-Applause-295347091.html

New line coach Tice may be big plus for Raiders offense

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Mike Tice, a longtime assistant in the NFL, will be expected to upgrade Oakland's weak offensive line. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Tice-Has-Key-Role-with-Raiders-in-2015-295190491.html

49ers sign veteran defensive lineman Dockett

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Longtime Cardinals 3-4 defensive end Darnell Dockett, 33, has signed with the 49ers and should be a starter in 2015. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Dockett-Gives-49ers-a-Quality-Starter-295182601.html

Tank may finally get rolling for 49ers in 2015

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Cornellius "Tank" Carradine showed over the final three games of 2014 that he might be ready to break out for the 49ers in 2015. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Carradine-Could-Have-Breakthrough-2015-Season-for-49ers-295006851.html

Andre Johnson to Raiders? Probably not

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Despite what might seem a nice match, receiver Andre Johnson is probably not a good fit in Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Andre-Johnson-May-Not-be-Good-Fit-With-Raiders-295002861.html

Emily Pfalzer, often the smallest player on the ice, ranks as one of top-ranked Boston College's biggest contributors

Defenseman Emily Pfalzer is only 5-foot-2, but she grew up playing against boys and likes the "physicality" of hockey. Now she's an All-American at Boston College. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/485903?referrer_id=1093254

Once overweight and in bad health, Cameron Zolghadri took his doctor's advice and now enjoys a healthy, fit and very active lifestyle

Just a few years ago, Cameron Zolghadri was a hard-working, heavy-eating businessman and father. But when a doctor told him he was on his way to disaster, Zolghadri took the advice to heart. He changed his diet, began exercising and is now more than 75 pounds lighter and running half marathons and triathlons. My story on Zolghadri for the Active San Diego series in U-T San Diego's Health section: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/feb/03/zolghadri-triathlete-runner-healthy/

It now appears Justin Smith will return to 49ers for 2015 season

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: All the recent signs indicate Justin Smith, 35, will play one more season with the Niners. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Justin-Smith-May-be-Leaning-Toward-Another-Season-294845981.html

Lions' Suh may follow the money all the way to Oakland

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Detroit defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, a four-time All-Pro, will hit the free-agent market on March 10, and some see the Raiders as a logical destination for him. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-May-be-Destination-for-Ndamukong-Suh-294840661.html

Figure Lynch will be replacement for Brooks at OLB in 2015

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: High-priced Ahmad Brooks will probably be replaced by second-year player Aaron Lynch at outside linebacker in 2015. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/All-Signs-Point-to-49ers-Parting-with-Ahmad-Brooks-294675811.html

Matt Schaub, Raiders soon likely to part ways

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: There's not much argument for the Raiders to keep Matt Schaub. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Seem-Likely-to-Pass-on-Schaub-294670741.html