With 12 draft picks, can 49ers' GM Baalke strike gold?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The good news is, the 49ers go into the draft with more picks than any other team. The bad news: In recent seasons, GM Trent Baalke hasn't drafted well. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/With-Most-Picks-in-Draft-49ers-Baalke-is-Positioned-to-Score-371986542.html

Has free-agency flurry changed Raiders' draft focus?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Because the Raiders signed three top free agents, does that mean they will change what they want from their No. 1 pick? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Has-Raiders-Draft-Focus-Changed-Because-of-Free-Agency-371991292.html

Much-traveled QB Thad Lewis added to 49ers mix

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Thad Lewis liked Chip Kelly's system with the Eagles, so he's followed his head coach to the 49ers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/While-Kaepernick-Situation-Unfolds-49ers-Add-Another-Quarterback-371800672.html

Raiders now appear to be AFC West contenders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: A free-agent flurry of spending suddenly makes the Raiders look much stronger for 2016. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Suddenly-Look-Like-AFC-West-Contenders-371797822.html

Already weak O-line of 49ers now loses Alex Boone

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Alex Boone will leave the 49ers to sign with the Vikings. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Now-Without-Boone-49ers-Offensive-Line-Needs-More-Work-371670901.html

Raiders corner the market by landing Sean Smith

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders have agreed to terms with possibly the best cornerback on the free-agent market, Sean Smith of Kansas City. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Strengthen-Secondary-With-Sean-Smith-371665181.html

Raiders' McKenzie scores again, lands Seattle's Irvin

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland GM gets Seahawks linebacker-pass rusher Bruce Irvin in Day 2 of free agency. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-McKenzie-is-Working-Quickly-in-Free-Agency-371530281.html

Niners take care of nose tackle Ian Williams

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Re-signing nose tackle Ian Williams was the 49ers' first priority in free agency. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Take-Care-of-Ian-Williams-to-Start-Free-Agent-Season-371526641.html

Alex Carpenter's brilliant career at Boston College still missing one achievement

Alex Carpenter has been terrific at Boston College, where she was honored last season as the best player in women's college hockey. But one thing is missing: an NCAA title. My story for USA Hockey: http://www.pattykaz.com/news_article/show/622565?referrer_id=718465

Seahawks' Sweezy among guards 49ers will target

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: It's possible that the 49ers will add a starting guard from archrival Seahawks. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Have-Eyes-on-Seahawks-Guard-JR-Sweezy-371400551.html

Raiders reportedly have landed the best offensive lineman available

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kelechi Osemele, a versatile and physical guard-tackle for the Baltimore Ravens who was ranked No. 1 among all free-agent linemen, is reported to have reached a deal with the Oakland Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Report-Raiders-Have-Agreed-to-Terms-With-Top-Free-Agent-Lineman-371395621.html

Sarah Piampiano's route to ranks of elite Ironman athlete had some side trips through the New York financial world, some unhealthy habits

Sarah Piampiano had a breakthrough year as an Ironman triathlete in 2015, and hopes to build on that momentum in 2016. Just a few years ago, she was an out-of-shape workaholic who took up smoking, just so she could get outside once in a while. Her story, for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/14893343/endurance-sports-sarah-piampiano-unusual-career-trajectory-atop-triathlon-world

Dr. Bryon Solberg hasn't let a physical disability stop him from walking and "shuffling" through more than 50 marathons

Dr. Bryon Solberg was an active cyclist and runner when he began feeling the effects of a congenital spinal problem that robbed him of his strength and coordination. After going through depression and losing his ability to practice medicine, he made the decision to get active again. Now he feels blessed to be able to have completed more than 50 marathons. He also hikes more than 200 miles per year. My story on Solberg for the Active San Diego series in the Union-Tribune Health section: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/mar/07/man-on-the-move/

Would RG3 try to resurrect career with 49ers?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Now that the Redskins have released Robert Griffin III, might the QB try to get his career back on track with 49ers? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-May-be-Among-Suitors-for-Robert-Griffin-III-371280961.html

After a year out, DeBose could help Raiders' return game

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: 2015 seventh-round pick Andre DeBose, who had to sit out a year because of injury, could spark Raiders return game. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/If-Healthy-2015-Draft-Pick-DeBose-Could-Help-Raiders-Return-Game-371275211.html

Are the 49ers the NFL's worst franchise right now?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: One NFL analyst argues that the Niners now rank below the Browns, Jaguars and Titans as the worst franchise in the league. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Have-the-49ers-Fallen-Into-the-NFLs-Basement-371059681.html

Raiders' Jackson ranked as one of 2015's NFL breakout stars

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: One position where the Raiders won't have to upgrade in 2016 is at left guard, where Gabe Jackson is a rising star. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Like-Carr-Raiders-Jackson-Took-Big-Step-up-in-2015-371055541.html

U.S. wrestlers face big weekend event, hoping to qualify country for 13 weight classes in next Olympics

Top U.S. wrestlers must finish in the top two spots in 13 weight classes across three disciplines to earn the right to send American wrestlers at those weights to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this year. My story for TeamUSA.org, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic website: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2016/March/03/This-Weekend-US-Wrestlers-Take-The-Mat-For-Their-Country-Not-Themselves

49ers may have more of a committee approach to RBs in 2016

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Carlos Hyde will be the No. 1 back for the 49ers in 2016, but the history of Chip Kelley and offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins suggests he'll get a lot of help and rest. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Likely-to-Use-Multiple-Running-Backs-370931781.html

Minnesota forward Hannah Brandt has been a Kazmaier Award finalist for four straight seasons

The college career is coming to a close for Minnesota forward Hannah Brandt, a four-time Kazmaier Award finalist. It's been a charmed run with the Gophers, with two NCAA titles so far and a third still a possibility. My story for USA Hockey's Kaz Watch series: http://www.pattykaz.com/news_article/show/619036?referrer_id=718465