Niners' woeful pass rush needs a transfusion

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The pass rush was weak in 2015 and should be a priority in draft and free agency. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Woeful-Pass-Rush-Needs-Some-Help-368476541.html

What will the Raiders do with void at both safety spots?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: First Charles Woodson retired, then Nate Allen was released. GM Reggie McKenzie will be shopping for safeties this offseason. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/With-Allen-Gone-Raiders-Need-Safety-Help-368329741.html

Reggie Bush says he isn't ready to retire

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Running back Reggie Bush says he's not quitting yet, at age 31, but with his 49ers deal expired, will he return? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Dont-Seem-Like-a-Good-Fit-for-Bush-368324161.html

This is the era of terrific goaltending in women's college hockey, with standouts everywhere among top teams

Ann-Renee Desbiens, Katie Burt and Sydney Rossman are among the best of the best goaltenders in college women's hockey in 2015-16, and the top candidates to win the Patty Kazmaier Award. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.pattykaz.com/news_article/show/610349?referrer_id=718465

After down year, Torrey Smith may thrive under Kelly

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Chip Kelly's offense might be just the tonic for wide receiver Torrey Smith. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Torrey-Smith-Could-Thrive-in-Kellys-Offense-368173861.html

Will Raiders choose to pay to keep Denico Autry?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Denico Autry was thrust into a bigger role in 2015 and grew into it at defensive end ... but he's now a free agent. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/With-Bigger-Role-Autry-Showed-Raiders-His-Value-in-2015-368048501.html

Odds are, 49ers won't be in 51st Super Bowl, either

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The first post-Super Bowl odds for 2016 have been posted in Las Vegas, and the 49ers' odds to make it rank only above the woeful Cleveland Browns. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Odds-Are-49ers-Wont-be-Playing-in-51st-Super-Bowl-Either-368043101.html

McKenzie has good recent history of signing free-agent linemen

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rodney Hudson and Dan Williams are two reasons Raiders fans can be confident GM Reggie McKenzie can upgrade the Raiders' lines this offseason. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McKenzies-Success-With-LInemen-in-Free-Agency-a-Good-Sign-for-Raiders-367822841.html

Kelly's offense doesn't use a fullback, so where does that leave Miller?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: What will happen to fullback Bruce Miller now that Chip Kelly is running the 49ers offense? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Will-Bruce-Miller-Have-a-Role-in-Kellys-Offense-367816141.html

Years of landscaping, hauling hay bales and rock have helped New Englander Cathy Merrill become one of world's best armwrestlers

Just six years ago, Cathy Merrill of New Hampshire never had tried armwrestling. Then, on a dare from a friend, she won a contest at a fair. Now she's a world champion. My story about her for ESPNW: http://espn.go.com/espnw/life-style/article/14716552/cathy-merrill-51-one-best-armwrestlers-world

Short track speed skater April Shin is making her moove

At age 17, April Shin is getting her first opportunity to skate for the U,S. national team in Europe. Then she'll be off to the Youth Olympic Games. It's the experience she needs to take the next big step in her short-track speed skating career. My story on her for the U.S. Olympic website, TeamUSA.org. http://www.teamusa.org/News/2016/February/04/Speedskater-April-Shin-Steps-Up-Her-Game-In-Preparation-For-Winter-Youth-Olympics

Gabbert says he's eager to get started in new offense

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After resurrecting his career with the 49ers in 2015, quarterback Blaine Gabbert says he's excited to learn Chip Kelly's scheme. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/After-Comeback-Season-49ers-Gabbert-Eager-to-Get-Started-367673491.html

College rivals Sarah Nurse and Sarah Potomak are teammates when they return north of the border

Top Canadian forwards Sarah Nurse of Wisconsin and Sarah Potomak of Minnesota are rivals when they meet on the ice in college hockey but teammates when they return home. My story for USA Hockey's Kaz Watch series: http://www.pattykaz.com/news_article/show/606919?referrer_id=718465

New York paper reports Kaepernick wants to be a Jet

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: It promises to be a topsy-turvy offseason for Colin Kaepernick, whose status with the 49ers prompts plenty of speculation, including a report Tuesday night that the QB wants to play for the Jets. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Report-Kaepernick-Wants-to-Play-for-Jets-367527321.html

Raiders worried about Mario Edwards' neck injury

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. has a neck injury that is still being tested by doctors, so his status for 2016 is uncertain. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Concerned-About-Edwards-Long-Term-Health-367518471.html

Former Navy rescue swimmer Joe Avery found his life's work and direction when he watched a Kevin Costner movie

Joe Avery was bound for a life in science but it took a sharp turn into fitness when he watched a film called "The Guardian." Now he's living a life focused on health and better conditioning. His story for the Union-Tribune's Active San Diego series in the Health section: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/feb/02/tp-ocean-of-enthusiasm-rescue-swimming-became-hi/

Raiders apparently headed toward 2016 season in Oakland

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Mark Davis tells columnist Tim Kawakami that his team is close to finalizing a deal with O.co Coliseum for the 2016 season. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/It-Appears-Raiders-Will-Stay-Put-For-Another-Season-367382791.html

Attention on 49ers during SB week isn't ... positive

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jed York's joke and Colin Kaepernick's career trajectory have become fodder for Super Bowl week media. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Attention-on-49ers-This-Week-Isnt-Necessarily-a-Good-Thing-367377221.html

Baalke says 49ers are committed to giving Hayne a shot

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Jarryd Hayne experiment didn't produce dividends in 2015, but GM Trent Baalke says 49ers will give Hayne another shot in 2016. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Baalke-Says-49ers-are-Committed-to-Giving-Hayne-Another-Chance-367230211.html

McKenzie believes continuity with Del Rio's staff will pay off

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie is excited for the chemistry and continuity he has with Jack Del Rio and his staff. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-McKenzie-Excited-by-Chemistry-With-Del-Rio-367226251.html