Perhaps Ahmad Brooks could move to inside linebacker for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With Patrick Willis and Chris Borland gone, perhaps Ahmad Brooks would be a good fit to move to inside linebacker. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Might-Brooks-Be-a-Candidate-to-Play-Inside-Linebacker-297254671.html

Middle linebacker Lofton likely to stabilize Raiders defense

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Veteran Curtis Lofton has been a tackling machine for every team he's been on, from Oklahoma to the Falcons and Saints in the NFL. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Middle-Linebacker-Lofton-Should-Stabilize-Raiders-Defense-297249341.html

Marcel Reece to have new role and perhaps more impact

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Marcel Reece, a Pro Bowl fullback, will likely be used in an H-back role in 2015. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/As-H-back-Reece-May-be-Impact-Player-for-Musgrave-296952671.html

Return of Bowman now crucial for 49ers in 2015

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Now more than ever, the 49ers need NaVorro Bowman to be the linebacker he was before his injury. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Return-of-Bowman-a-Key-Piece-to-49ers-Season-296953651.html

York's recent comments further rile 49ers fan base

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: This week, 49ers CEO Jed York made a comment about former head coach Jim Harbaugh that angered many fans. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Yorks-Recent-Comments-Anger-Many-49ers-Fans-296887901.html

Tough-blocking tight end Lee Smith should help Raiders

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Lee Smith isn't flashy, and he isn't a prolific receiver. But as a blocker, the new Oakland tight end is among the best. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Lunch-Pail-Smith-Should-Add-Muscle-to-Raiders-296882881.html

Is 49ers' offseason the worst by any team ... ever?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The coach was ousted, key players have left or retired, another has been arrested, the new coach is inexperienced and there could be a couple of more bad-news bombs in the next few weeks for the 49ers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Offseason-Just-Keeps-Getting-Worse-296738201.html

Can Trent Richardson help Raiders? It seems unlikely

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders have signed free-agent running back Trent Richardson, who was the No. 3 overall pick of the NFL draft just three seasons ago. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Theres-Little-Reason-to-Believe-in-Richardson-296732541.html

Remembering Patty Kazmaier: The late Princeton star was a tiger on the ice and a "gentle soul" with an adventurous spirit away from the game

Each year, the Patty Kazmaier Award is given to the best player in women's college hockey. But Kazmaier, who died in 1990, was far more than just a rugged defenseman for Princeton. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/492091?referrer_id=1093254

Dietitian for U.S. Paralympic athletes focuses on her own health, too

Liz Broad always has been interested in diet and nutrition, and has worked for the Australian Olympic Committee, several pro teams and now the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement as a nutritionist. Broad also keeps an active lifestyle to stay healthy. My story about her for U-T San Diego's Active San Diego series: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/mar/17/paralympians-dietitian-nutrition-health/

Boland retirement puts extra weight on Baalke's 2015 draft

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Can 49ers GM Trent Baalke pull some rabbits out of his hat to make up for all the losses on the roster? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Losses-of-Borland-Willis-Put-Spotlight-on-Baalke-296581801.html

Helu a nice pickup for Raiders backfield

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Third-down back Roy Helu should provide a nice addition to Oakland's new offense under Bill Musgrave. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Helu-Could-Have-Big-Impact-on-Raiders-Offense-296576771.html

Former Bills starting tackle and guard Pears signed by 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Erik Pears, a starter for the Bills at right tackle and right guard the past four seasons, is now a 49er. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Addition-of-Pears-May-Give-49ers-More-Depth-on-Offensive-Line-296444401.html

Is Ponder an upgrade over McGloin as Raiders' No. 2 Quarterback?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Christian Ponder has been signed, presumably as the No. 2 QB to back up Derek Carr. Is he an upgrade over Matt McGloin? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Bring-in-Ponder-to-Back-Up-Carr-296440891.html

Cortney Jordan has been to two Paralaympics and won eight medals, but the soon-to-be teacher is swimming toward a third Games before she heads to the classroom

Cortney Jordan knows 2015 is a key year for her to gain some momentum toward making the 2016 Paralympic swimming team. The eight-time Paralympic medalist is balancing training, working and grad school, but loves every challenge of her hectic life. My story about Jordan for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2015/March/13/For-Cortney-Jordan-Can-Am-Champs-Are-First-Step-To-Rio

What will 49ers do at cornerback after Culliver and Cox departures?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox, both starters in 2014, will be gone in 2015, so what's the 49ers' plan at cornerback? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Appear-Thin-at-Cornerback-With-Departure-of-Culliver-Cox-296213391.html

Greg Hardy has baggage, but Raiders may sign him anyway

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Greg Hardy has off-the-field issues and is facing a possible suspension for domestic violence, but the Raiders are talking to one of the NFL's best defensive ends about playing in Oakland. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Have-Had-Talks-With-Greg-Hardy-296209671.html

At nearly 40, Meb Keflezighi is content to be living again full time in San Diego, but he's not yet content with his career achievements. There are still a few challenges to conquer.

Meb Keflezighi, the first American to win the Boston Marathon in 31 years, will go back to Boston in April to defend his title. He'll turn 40 in May, but Keflezighi -- who's won at Boston, New York and has an Olympic silver medal and 23 national championships -- has a goal to make a fourth Olympic team in 2016. My story on Keflezighi for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/12469971/endurance-sports-meb-keflezighi-done-yet

Baalke counters rumors that Bowman won't play in 2015

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Earlier this week, some reports cited rumors that linebacker NaVorro Bowman might not play in 2015 because of his injury. But GM Trent Baalke says Bowman is right on track. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Baalke-Counters-Reports-That-Bowman-Wont-Play-296070111.html

Raiders going after young players in free agency

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Unlike in past years, when Oakland has signed players often past their prime, the Raiders are going after free agents still in their 20s. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Magic-Number-is-30-296067101.html