Raiders' Cooper may be eclipsed in race to Rookie of Year honors

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Amari Cooper's great rookie year may not be enough to top that of Todd Gurley, the Rams' running back. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Late-Season-Injury-May-Cost-Cooper-Rookie-of-the-Year-Award-364857411.html

San Diego Backyard Fruit Exchange has been a fruitful way for urban gardeners to make certain their produce finds a home, while bringing something else in return

As one San Diego gardener says, "Who needs 50 zucchinis?" So three years ago, several gardeners started a bartering site on Facebook called the San Diego Backyard Fruit Exchange. It now has almost 500 members, and each can trade excess corn, oranges, tomatoes or eggs for the surplus homegrown products of other members. My story on the Exchange for the Homes section of the San Diego Union-Tribune: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/jan/08/group-has-fruitful-exchange/

A year after crash that left him partially paralyzed, ski jumper Nick Fairall is making "inch by inch" progress and staying positive about his future

For a year after losing the use of his legs following a crash in Austria, American ski jumper Nick Fairall stayed away from the media. But this week, he spoke about the crash, his progress in rehabilitation and his future for the first time in a year. My story for TeamUSA.org, the U.S. Olympic website: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2016/January/08/One-Year-After-Horrific-Crash-Ski-Jumper-Nick-Fairall-Determined-To-Move-Forward

Will 49ers re-sign nose tackle Ian Williams?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers were bad in 2015, but nose tackle Ian Williams was superior. Now that he's a free agent, will he be re-signed? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/After-Strong-Season-Will-Ian-Williams-Stay-With-49ers-364655441.html

Give McKenzie an "A" grade for 2015 draft group

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Now that the 2015 season is over, it's clear to see that the Raiders' group of rookies was exceptional. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McKenzie-Deserves-an-A-for-Raiders-Rookie-Class-364649051.html

Followup story: Kurt Searvogel breaks "unbreakable" record for miles cycled in a year

Kurt Searvogel set out in January of 2015 to cycle more than 75,000 miles in a year and break a record set in 1939. He broke it with five days to spare and is now piling on some more. My story for ESPN.com, following up on a profile of Searvogel from August of 2015. http://espn.go.com/blog/endurance/post/_/id/2985/kurt-searvogel-cycles-more-than-75k-miles-to-surpass-unbreakable-record

49ers' running game is in good hands with Carlos Hyde

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Carlos Hyde lost the second half of his season to injury, but he left little doubt over the first seven games that he can be a fine NFL running back. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Hydes-Return-in-2016-Will-Give-49ers-Offense-a-Huge-Boost-364523421.html

Heeney now looks like Raiders' No. 1 middle linebacker for 2016

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Ben Heeney, a fifth-round pick, came on strong at the end of the season and now appears headed toward being team's starting middle linebacker next season. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Heeneys-Growth-Projects-to-Big-Role-for-Raiders-in-2016-364518781.html

Bowman acknowledges weaknesses and vows to be better in 2016

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: NaVorro Bowman led the NFL in tackles, yet thinks more about the plays he missed. Now he says he'll have a "rigorous" offseason fitness program to be even better in 2016. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Bowman-Vows-to-be-Even-Better-After-Rigorous-Offseason-364388561.html

Though offense "sputtered" late in season Del Rio is bullish on future

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: At the midway point of the season, Oakland had one of the NFL's most explosive offenses. But a slump in the second half was cause for concern to many. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Del-Rio-Confident-That-Offense-Can-Regain-Explosiveness-364385931.html

McKenzie found a gem in cornerback David Amerson

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay area website: The Redskins released David Amerson after the second week of the season, but then he was signed by Oakland and resurrected his NFL career. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Amerson-Emerged-as-Key-Piece-for-Raiders-in-2016-364251431.html

Anthony Davis indicates that he may return to 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Right tackle Anthony Davis quit football in 2015, but now he indicates he'll return to the 49ers for 2016. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Line-May-Get-a-Boost-Without-Using-a-Draft-Pick-364246511.html

San Diego woman returned to racquetball and a healthy, slimmed-down diet to shed weight and regain energy

Edie Kromer once was a top racquetball player in California. But she gave up the game once she became a mother of two while also juggling a full-time job. Now in her 50s, she's come back to racquetball and found the joy it brought her. My story on Kromer for the Union-Tribune's Active San Diego series in the Health section: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/jan/04/racquetball-paddled-away-extra-weight/

Greco-Roman wrestler Robby Smith ready to throw his weight around as he gathers momentum toward Rio de Janeiro Olympics

Robby Smith is a fun-loving sort who wears bright, American-flag socks when he wrestls and sports a distinctive bushy beard. But the American Greco-Roman heavyweight is all business on the mat, where he's made big strides over the past two years. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2016/January/04/Wrestler-Robby-Smith-Loves-To-Throw-People-And-He-Wants-To-Do-So-In-Rio

Chip Kelly? Sean Payton? Mike Shanahan? Who will 49ers hire?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With Jim Tomsula fired, the speculation has begun about who his replacement will be for the 49ers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Is-There-a-Big-Name-Coach-in-49ers-Future-364130271.html

Questions about Carr vanish after his second season

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: After Derek Carr's solid rookie season, many critics still found fault with him. After his second season, those questions have been answered. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Carr-Has-Erased-Questions-After-Second-Season-364125361.html

49ers win finale in OT, but it's likely Tomsula's farewell

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers top the Rams to finish the 2015 season at 5-11, but it's likely the swan song for head coach Jim Tomsula. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-OT-Victory-May-be-Tomsulas-Farewell-364078441.html

Raiders drop season finale to finish at 7-9 in Del Rio's first year

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Chiefs win their 10th straight, over Oakland, to give the Raiders a 7-9 record in Jack Del Rio's first season as head coach. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Fall-in-Season-Finale-to-Streaking-Chiefs-364076981.html

Can Mike Davis end with a positive effort vs. Rams?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie Mike Davis is hoping to get a chance to carry the ball vs. St. Louis in the season finale Sunday for the 49ers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Rookie-Davis-Hoping-for-a-Chance-Against-Rams-363986401.html

Raiders face red-hot Chiefs in season finale

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: If the Raiders want to finish 8-8, they'll have to win in the hostile environment of Arrowhead Stadium against the streaking Chiefs. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Face-Streaking-Chiefs-and-Hostile-Environment-363987711.html