Rookie Hurst gives Raiders hope for D-line in 2019

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie defensive tackle Maurice Hurst played very well in his first season, a good sign for the future. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Maurice-Hurst-Gave-Raiders-a-Glimpse-of-His-Talent-504106731.html

49ers' Celek played with a broken thumb

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tight end Garrett Celek had just eight passes thrown his way in 2018. One reason: He played with a broken thumb for most of the year. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Celek-Played-With-Broken-Thumb-for-Most-of-Season-504105401.html

49ers say Sherman was a hit in 2018

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Richard Sherman wasn't voted to the Pro Bowl, but the 49ers are very happy with what he brought to the team in multiple areas in 2018. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Happy-With-Shermans-First-Year-With-Team-504050441.html

Mayock says Gruden will have 'final say'

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: There are no gray areas between new GM Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden. Gruden is the boss. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/New-Raiders-GM-Jons-Got-Final-Say-504052931.html

Randy Sherman was too big, too immobile, too unhealthy. So, he joined TOPS and dropped more than 140 pounds to get healthy again

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) is a national organization that's been around 70 years, but gets little attention. Randy Sherman -- who once was more than 400 pounds -- credits TOPS with being his route to shedding weight and saving his quality of life. My story on Sherman and TOPS for the San Diego Union-Tribune Health section: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-randy-sherman-20190107-story.html

Bears' success further sours trade of Mack

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Trading away Khalil Mack didn't look good in early September, and it looks even worse now. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Trade-of-Mack-Looks-Even-Worse-Now-503999281.html

It seems 49ers scored with McGlinchey

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: No. 1 pick offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey was very, very good as a rookie. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Scored-a-Winner-With-Draft-of-McGllnchey-504000981.html

Conley growing into an elite cornerback

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Because of injuries in his rookie season, cornerback Gareon Conley played his first real season in 2018. And the more he played, the better he got. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Conleys-Growth-in-2018-has-Raiders-Believing-He-Could-be-a-Star-503902251.html

George Kittle is getting the star treatment

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers second-year tight end suddenly finds himself getting all kinds of accolades. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Kittles-Getting-the-Star-Treatment-Now-503904111.html

Andrew Stout is always on the move, across continents or just across town

Andrew Stout is an adventurous soul and the product of his adventurous parents. He's always on the move. My story about him for the San Diego Union-Tribune's Active San Diego series: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-active-stout-20190102-story.html

Raiders' No. 1 pick Miller finally gets to the finish line

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kolton Miller's rookie year is over, and the young tackle is in need of a long rest. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Kolton-Millers-Rookie-Season-Was-Painful-503850191.html

Does Antonio Brown really want to be a 49er?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Star WR Antonio Brown of the Steelers keeps dropping hints he wants to play for the 49ers. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Antonio-Brown-Keeps-Hinting-He-Wants-to-be-a-49er-503848671.html

Laken Tomlinson should be OK for 2019

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: An injury to left guard Laken Tomlinson wasn't as serious as first believed. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Tomlinson-Should-be-Fine-for-2019-Season-503797171.html

Will Mayock be a fan of Derek Carr?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: New GM Mike Mayock says he needs to study Derek Carr's performances to make any evaluations on him. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/New-Raiders-GM-Wants-Time-to-Study-Derek-Carr-503800271.html

Shanahan won't make staff changes

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Embattled defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, and every other assistant coach, will stay with the 49ers. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Kyle-Shanahan-Wants-to-Keep-His-Staff-in-Place-503764301.html

Mayock says Raiders give him a golden opportunity

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: What's not to like about this situation, says new Raiders GM Mike Mayock. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Mayock-Says-Raiders-GM-Job-is-a-Golden-Opportunity-503765071.html

Wanted: Defensive playmakers for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers were historically awful at creating turnovers in 2018. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Need-Some-Playmakers-on-Defense-503717201.html

Raiders select Mike Mayock as new GM

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock, a former NFL player, is hired to be Raiders' new general manager. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Will-Bring-in-NFL-Analyst-as-new-General-Manager-503715651.html

Kittle sets record, but 49ers lose to finish season

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners turn the ball over four times to lose to Rams and finish the season 4-12, but tight end George Kittle sets an NFL record. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Lose-Finale-but-Kittle-Sets-an-NFL-Record-503692881.html

Raiders crushed by Chiefs in season finale

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders lose again to finish 4-12 in 2018. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Crushed-by-Chiefs-to-Close-Out-Horrible-Season-503691971.html