Austin Howard is once again proving worth to Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Austin Howard didn't win the right tackle job in either of the past two training camps, yet has stepped in to be an invaluable performer. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Howard-Once-Again-is-a-Saving-Grace-for-Raiders-400550561.html

Kelly not interested in playing the blame game for D

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Chip Kelly says it's not Jim O'Neil's fault the defense has been so bad for the 49ers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Kelly-Not-Putting-Blame-on-ONeil-for-Defensive-Woes-400431581.html

Mack continues to play better and better each week

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders defense has been much better of late, and that may be due in part to the play of Khalil Mack. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Mack-is-Leading-Revived-Raiders-Defense-400400931.html

Morning, noon or night? Is there a best time to exercise to get the most benefits?

Some athletes are morning exercisers. Some get their workouts in at night. Does it make a difference? My story for the San Diego Union-Tribune Health section: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-exercise-time-of-day-20161107-story.html

The Raiders' dominant O-Line was too much for Broncos

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders once again showed that their investment in physical blockers up front is paying huge dividends. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Offensive-Line-Has-Become-a-Force-400267281.html

Quinton Patton may finally be catching on with 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Quinton Patton had his biggest day as a pro in 49ers' game vs. Saints. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Patton-Helps-49ers-Offense-Come-to-Life-400259411.html

Raiders are super in win over Super Bowl champs

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders put together a complete game to beat Denver, 30-20, to take over the top spot in the AFC West. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Look-Super-in-Beating-Super-Bowl-Champs-400206251.html

Drew Brees-led Saints are too much for 49ers defense

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Saints offense overpowered the weak 49ers defense. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Defense-Picked-Apart-by-Saints-and-Drew-Brees-400192401.html

It's Raiders' lightning vs. Broncos' thunder this Sunday

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Sunday's AFC West clash will feature Oakland's dynamic passing attack vs. Denver's outstanding defense. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/AFC-West-Clash-Its-Raiders-Offense-vs-Broncos-Defense-400014151.html

49ers defense could be picked apart by Brees & Co.

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: What chance to the 49ers have of stopping Saints QB Drew Brees? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Brees-Powered-Saints-Will-be-Tough-for-49ers-to-Contain-400006841.html

Smith committed to 49ers after trade deadline passes

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Receiver Torrey Smith wasn't traded, which is fine with him. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Torrey-Smith-Still-a-49er-Getting-Ready-for-Saints-399839441.html

Raiders' Mack is starting to heat up as a pass rusher

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The last time Khalil Mack faced the Broncos, he had five sacks. Now, here come the Broncos again. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Khalil-Mack-is-Starting-to-Roll-399844061.html

Popularity and success of rugby in the United States is on the horizon thanks to Olympics, sevens and women's programs

There's no way the United States is ready to compete with the world's rugby superpowers. New Zealand, Australia, France, Fiji and Great Britain have nothing to fear from Team USA's Eagles now or in the near future. But because of the inclusion of the game in the Olympics and the growth and success of U.S. teams in rugby sevens and the women's games, the growth and exposure of the game right now is rapid. My story for ESPN.com: http://www.espn.co.uk/espn/story/_/id/17853300/why-rugby-verge-big-united-states

At 41, four-time Olympian and Boston and New York marathon champion Meb Keflezighi is starting his transition into athletic retirement

Running great Meb Keflezighi says he'll do just two more marathons in his career, to end with 26 -- the distance in miles of the event. The four-time Olympian and winner at Boston and New York is 41 now, and starting to transition to a post-marathon world. My story for ESPN.com: http://www.espn.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/17938105/meb-keflezighi-2009-nyc-marathon-champion-ponders-life-running

Riding the waves and staying positive has kept former police officer fight cancer and stay healthy

For years, Janet Chelburg-Burgess has been an avid boogie boarder, cyclist and walker. All those things proved to be a great help to her health and wellness when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her story for the Union-Tribune's Active San Diego series. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-active-burgess-20161101-story.html

Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen has "zero expectations" for her debut in the marathon at New York City

Gwen Jorgensen, two-time world champion and this year's Olympic champion in the triathlon, has stayed away from running a marathon because of her dedication to put all her efforts into winning gold at Rio. But with the Olympics over, she's going to run her first 26.2 miler this Sunday, and she says she has "zero expectations," which is a nice change for someone expected to win almost every triathlon. My story on her for Competitor.com: http://running.competitor.com/2016/11/news/olympic-triathlon-champ-gwen-jorgensen-eager-run-nyc-marathon_158131

SDSU program is helping student-athletes succeed in school while becoming better prepared for the working world

The SDSU athletic department has introduced a new program, Aztecs Going Pro, to help student-athletes succeed in school while also being better prepared for the post-school working world. My story for SDSU's 360 Magazine for the fall edition of 2016: https://issuu.com/sdsu360mag/docs/360fall2016?e=1330685/39776462

At 73, retired music teacher Dave Obelkevich is showing no signs of stopping as he gets ready to run his 40th consecutive New York City Marathon

Dave Obelkevich ran his first New York City Marathon when it was just four-plus laps around Central Park. He's seen the race and crowds grow leaps and bounds since the mid 1970s. But one thing has changed: He runs the race every day. This year will be his 41st overall and 40th consecutive NYC Marathon. My story for ESPN.com: http://www.espn.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/17853079/dave-obelkevich-73-completed-record-39-consecutive-nyc-marathons-finished

Niners may have NFL's worst group of WRs

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: There's something wrong when a team's No. 1 receiver is Jeremy Kerley. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Receiving-Corps-Ranks-Among-NFLs-Worst-399493991.html

Del Rio not overly concerned about penalty problems

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio says he's not going to overreact to Oakland's flurry of penalties. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Del-Rio-Isnt-Too-Concerned-With-Raiders-Penalties-399488941.html