Sun, surf and sand called to transplanted Midwesterner, who now revels in healthy California lifestyle

When Michael Samer came to California after spending most of his life in New Mexico, Wisconsin and Vermont, he instantly fell in love with the ocean, the sun and the outdoor-recreation vibe. Now the 35-year-old businessman balances his business and work with exercise, play and a focus on healthy eating. My story on Samer for the Union-Tribune's Active San Diego series: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/oct/26/active-san-diego-mike-samer/

Wealth of draft failures is hurting slumping 49ers franchise

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: GM Trent Baalke has had some successes, but his failures in the draft are more pronounced now that the 49ers' cupboard is bare in many areas. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Failure-of-Recent-Drafts-a-Key-to-49ers-Decline-337533431.html

Surprise! Once-maligned DJ Hayden has grown into solid cornerback

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Injuries and a steep learning curve retarded the growth of first-round draft pick DJ Hayden, but now the cornerback has become a playmaker. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Hayden-Growing-Into-a-Solid-Corner

49ers offense will never overcome a bad line

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The success of a football team begins with a solid line on both sides of the ball. The 49ers offense can't overcome what is lacking up front. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Holes-in-49ers-Offensive-Line-Cant-be-Overcome-337130361.html

Raiders' Carr has risen to a higher level in 2015

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Derek Carr had a solid, if not spectacular, rookie season, so some still had doubts about his upside. Not anymore. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Carr-Has-Climbed-to-a-Higher-Level-in-2015-337108151.html

The story has changed: Raiders pound on Chargers

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: For years, the Chargers have dominated the series with the Raiders. But after Oakland came up with a convincing win in San Diego Sunday, there are indications the tables are about to turn. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/A-New-Era-Raiders-Beat-Chargers-in-San-Diego-336950441.html

49ers have become Seahawks' pitiful punching bag

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Nothing demonstrates how flawed the Niners are these days than the way San Francisco is routinely pummeled by the Seattle Seahawks. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Have-Become-Seahawks-Punching-Bag-336297081.html

This time, perhaps the Raiders can ground Chargers' air attack

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders may finally have the personnel to match up with the Chargers ... and beat them. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Have-Resources-in-Matchup-With-Chargers-336309491.html

After losing his father in Afghanistan, 18-year-old Seamus Donahue will run the Marine Corps Marathon in his honor

Seamus and Michael Donahue had a shared passion for running. They ran together whenever they got the chance. But Maj. Michael Donahue of the 82nd Airborne Division was killed in Afghanistan in 2014, and Seamus lost the man he calls his best friend. This Sunday, he'll run the Marine Corps Marathon to honor his father -- and so many others. My story for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/13947854/endurance-sports-seamus-donahue-honoring-fallen-father-marine-corps-marathon

Two 'stubborn old Marines' remain the last of the 'Groundpounders,' the runners who have run every Marine Corps Marathon

Retired Marine colonels Will Brown and Al Richmond have run 39 consecutive Marine Corps Marathons, since its debut in 1976. This Sunday they'll run No. 40. They keep going and going and going .... My story for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/13934285/endurance-sports-last-remaining-groundpoundes-ready-their-40th-marine-corps-marathon

New Olympic/Paralympic partner Dick's Sporting Goods is offering flexible jobs to athletes so they can continue to pursue dreams

It's hard for Olympic and Paralympic athletes to juggle training, travel and competition with holding a job and supporting themselves. So, Dick's Sporting Goods has become a USOC sponsor and is providing jobs with flexible scheduling for those athletes. To date, more than 100 athletes have been hired. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2015/October/23/DICKS-Sporting-Goods-Employs-100-Team-USA-Athletes-In-USOC-ACE-Program

Has 49ers offense finally turned the corner?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After putting up 27 points in a loss to the Giants, can the 49ers offense continue its momentum vs. Baltimore? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Offense-Hopes-to-Continue-Growing-vs-Ravens-333234231.html

Now healthy, Walford is getting to play bigger role for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie tight end Clive Walford showed against the Broncos what he can bring to the Oakland offense. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Walford-Emerging-to-Play-Bigger-Role-for-Raiders-333219281.html

Pinion not as good as Lee, but he's showing upside

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers decided to cast out three-time Pro Bowl punter Andy Lee for rookie Bradley Pinion this season, and Pinion isn't up to Lee's performance ... yet.http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Rookie-Punter-Pinion-Has-Been-Inconsistent-333048591.html

Raiders' Mario Edwards is coming on fast

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Second-round pick Mario Edwards Jr. is playing well on the defensive line. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Edwards-is-Giving-Raiders-More-Than-They-Expected-333053961.html

Offensive line has come together nicely for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area: Five games into the 2015 NFL season the Raiders' offensive line has become a surprising strength. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Offensive-Line-Has-Become-a-Strength-332684751.html

City of Birmingham, Alabama, is eager to raise its profile as host of Olympic and Paralympic events

The 1996 Olympics staged soccer games in Birmingham, Ala. Then came the 2004 Olympic men's marathon trials there, plus NCAA championships in track and field, gymnastics and soccer, along with national-team soccer games and boxing title fights. The city is far from an Olympic hub, but it has big goals. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2015/October/13/Birmingham-Proves-Its-Olympic-Bona-Fides-With-Big-Events-brought-to-you-by-GBCVB

Lifelong lover of the outdoors Derek Loranger had to get back into shape in order to get back to doing long backpacking trips and hikes

When Derek Loranger was a boy, his parents took him hiking and camping, and he loved the adventure. But as a busy adult, he found he couldn't do long treks anymore. He was out of shape. So, he joined a boot camp, got fit and is now happily hiking all the time now. My story for the Union-Tribune's Active San Diego series in the Health section: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/oct/13/restaurateur-hiking-trekking-outdoors/#comments-module

Have 49ers found a fix for their offensive line problems?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In the 49ers' loss to the Giants, the offensive line performed much better, thanks to the insertion of Andrew Tiller at right guard. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-May-Have-Found-a-Fix-on-Offensive-Line-332404772.html

Rookie linebacker Ball shores up Raiders' pass defense

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie linebacker Neiron Ball did something vs. the Broncos that no other Raiders linebacker has done this year: he did a good job covering an opposing tight end. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Rookie-Linebacker-Boosts-Pass-Defense-332382132.html