Watson and Howard to compete for starting RT job

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Del Rio says Menelik Watson & Austin Howard will go mano a mano for starting job at right tackle. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Watson-Howard-Expected-to-Compete-for-Job-at-Right-Tackle-373231621.html

It's better news for Mario Edwards Jr. and Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. making progress with neck injury. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-McKenzie-Del-Rio-Indicate-Edwards-Will-be-OK-373363351.html

Hyde slimming down for Kelly's offense

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Carlos Hyde says he's getting in better shape and losing weight specifically to play for Chip Kelly. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Slimmer-Hyde-Hopes-to-be-Nice-Fit-for-Kellys-Offense-373367011.html

Is Anquan Boldin's time with 49ers now over?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Receiver Anquan Boldin is a free agent, but the 49ers haven't started talking with him yet. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Have-Not-Been-Negotiating-with-Anquan-Boldin-373226991.html

Del Rio says competition will be wide open at right tackle

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The competition at right tackle will be wide open for Menelik Watson and Austin Howard, says Jack Del Rio. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Watson-Howard-Expected-to-Compete-for-Job-at-Right-Tackle-373231621.html

Sources say 49ers' decision on Kaepernick will rest with Kelly

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: If Chip Kelly believes in Colin Kaepernick, 49ers will keep him, according to reports. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Report-Niners-Will-Put-Kaepernick-Decision-in-Kellys-Hands-373087381.html

Raiders still very interested in Aldon Smith

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Although the Raiders have beefed up their defense, they still have interest in suspended free agent Aldon Smith. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McKenzie-Del-Rio-Say-They-Still-Have-Interest-in-Aldon-Smith-373080441.html

Just a couple of teams may have interest in Kaepernick

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Browns say they have no interest in making a deal with 49ers for QB Colin Kaepernick. The market appears to be shrinking for him. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Market-for-Kaepernick-May-Not-be-As-Big-as-Believed-372948871.html

It's doubtful that Raiders will pay high price for Wilkerson

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: One national NFL writer suggests the Raiders should pay up for the services of Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson. Yet Reggie McKenzie's track record as GM seems to shoot down that idea. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Muhammad-Wilkerson-to-Raiders-Dont-Bet-on-It-372954751.html

At some point 49ers will take a QB in this draft

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Be it first round or seventh round, the 49ers are likely to pick a quarterback of the present or future in April's draft. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Are-49ers-Determined-to-Draft-a-Quarterback-With-Top-Pick-372574941.html

Raiders may not yet be done adding to offensive line

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: By all accounts, the Raiders now have one of the best front fives in the NFL, yet they may still add a piece or two. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-May-Still-Have-Some-Moves-Left-on-Offensive-Line-372568151.html

New Raider Irvin says he's just "scratched the surface" of talent

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin was a key player in Seattle's defensive scheme but he says he can be a better playmaker with the Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Irvin-Eager-for-Bigger-Role-as-a-Playmaker-With-Raiders-372407691.html

Is Zane Beadles the answer at left guard for 49ers?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: To fill Alex Boone's slot at left guard, the 49ers have signed Zane Beadles, who has some pluses and minuses. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Add-Former-Pro-Bowl-Guard-Beadles-372394031.html

Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey, back for senior season, is poised to break all of Marshall Faulk's records at San Diego State

Donnel Pumphrey seems too small for the NFL, but so did Marshall Faulk. Now Pumphrey, perhaps the best but least-known running back in college football, is on the brink of breaking Faulk's mighty records at San Diego State for a program that is on the rise. My story on Pumphrey for San Diego State's 360 Magazine: http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news_story.aspx?sid=76076

Speed skating's greatest current (friendly) rivalry, featuring USA's Brittany Bowe and Heather Bergsma, has helped push both to new heights

U.S. speed skaters Brittany Bowe was the best in the world this season, but teammate, rival and friend/training partner Heather Richardson Bergsma was right behind. My story on their World Cup seasons for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2016/March/15/In-One-Of-Team-USAs-Greatest-Rivalries-Speedskaters-Bowe-And-Bergsma-Cap-Season-With-45-Medals

Northeastern's Kendall Coyne is proud to have led her team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance

Kendall Coyne was the top scorer in the nation as a senior at Northeastern, but what gave her the most satisfaction was finally helping the Huskies get to the national tournament. My story about her for the Kaz Watch series for USA Hockey: http://www.pattykaz.com/news_article/show/625547?referrer_id=718465

Niners have eyes on UCLA linebacker Myles Jack

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Myles Jack was injured his final year at UCLA, but he's still a top prospect. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Reported-to-Have-Strong-Interest-in-UCLA-Linebacker-372233412.html

With re-signed Penn, Raiders have one of NFL's top O-lines

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Left tackle Donald Penn has reached a deal to stay with the Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/By-Keeping-Penn-Raiders-Now-Have-One-of-NFLs-Best-Offensive-Lines-372229172.html

Gabbert may fit Kelly's offense better than Kaepernick

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Blaine Gabbert has been lost in the offseason conversation about the QB situation for the 49ers, but his traits might be best for Chip Kelly's offense. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Gabbert-May-be-a-Better-Fit-for-Kellys-Offense-Than-Kaepernick-372121192.html

Raiders would be wise to use Osemele at guard, not tackle

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kelechi Osemele is a versatile player, capable of playing guard or tackle, but the Raiders would benefit from putting him inside rather than outside. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Might-be-Better-Off-With-Osemele-at-Guard-372114142.html