He's got that bolt of optimism

Larry Bruce, as a lifelong Chargers fan, knows about disappointment. But he also knows about optimism and looking forward to finding the next good thing right around the corner. So after being laid off from three jobs in five years, Bruce went into business for himself, opening the Santee Party Zone store. It's been a roller-coaster ride, but he's enjoyed it. My profile of him for the "On the Job in Santee" series: http://santee.patch.com/articles/he-s-got-that-bolt-of-optimism#c

Niners make their case for being an elite team

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: A day after clinching the NFC West title, a couple of key 49ers make their case why San Francisco should be considered a top-notch NFL team. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Bowman-Niners-Should-be-Considered-Elite-135099863.html

Are Raiders too undisciplined to win AFC West?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: At least one longtime Bay Area observer, columnist Glenn Dickey, believes the Raiders won't go to the playoffs because they're too undisciplined, as evidenced by the large number of penalties and the treatment of Rolando McClain incident by Hue Jackson. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Discipline-Issues-a-Concern-135096993.html

49ers hoping Willis injury isn't serious

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Linebacker Patrick Willis is the "heart and soul" of the Niners defense, says one teammate, and the team is hoping his hamstring injury suffered Sunday vs. the Rams isn't serious. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Hoping-Willis-Injury-Isnt-Serious-135031413.html

Raiders running game has hit a wall

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The run-oriented Raiders have hit a rough patch, with first the Bears and then the Dolphins tackling their rushing attack. Can they get it back up to speed? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Running-Game-Has-Hit-a-Wall-135028573.html

49ers win NFC West title with rout of Rams

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco's long playoff drought, dating to 2002, is finally over after first-year coach Jim Harbaugh leads his team to its 10th win, a rout of the Rams, that clinches the NFC West with four games to go. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Officially-Niners-Are-the-Best-in-the-West-135001068.html

Up-and-down Raiders go down in Miami

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland is clobbered by the Dolphins and also loses its sole possession of first place in the AFC West. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Lose-a-Stinker-in-Miami-134996193.html

She's inspired to help the homeless

Skyler Proffit looks around the world and can't understand why people wouldn't want to help others less fortunate. So the Helix High student is doing a senior project that involves raising money and goods to give to San Diego's homeless. The story on her good works for La Mesa Patch: http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/a-good-person-story#c

McClain arrest adds another Raiders distraction

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Linebacker Rolando McClain is expected to play Sunday vs. the Dolphins, but what about his long-term status? His arrest in Alabama Thursday puts a question mark over him for the future. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/McClains-Arrest-Adds-Another-Hurdle-for-Raiders-134907753.html

Jeopardy for Dec. 2 for ESPN.com

Want to fork over big money to eat with a big star? My Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Page 2: http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7306246

Niners venturing into uncharted waters

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The San Francisco 49ers can clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2002 if they beat the Rams Sunday. For most of the Niners, the playoffs are a never-before-visited destination. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Venturing-into-134905728.html

Jackson says Raiders will benefit from close games

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Hue Jackson acknowledges the Raiders do things the hard way, with all seven of their wins this season coming by 10 points or less. But he says winning close games is a great learning experience. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Jackson-Raiders-Will-Benefit-From-Tough-Times-134831558.html

Rams game is perfect opportunity for Niners

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: After being stuffed on Thanksgiving night by the Ravens, St. Louis' trip to Candlestick Park Sunday may be the perfect tonic. The Rams have the worst rushing defense in the league, which plays into the hands of Frank Gore & Co. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Rams-Defense-May-Be-Perfect-Tonic-for-49ers-134829298.html

McGlockton was a changed man after retirement

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Raiders Pro Bowl defensive lineman Chester McGlockton was a changed man after he retired from football. As a player he often was described as moody and negative; later, he found he loved coaching and helping others. His death at age 42, after coaching at Stanford for two years, came as a shock to those who knew him. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/McGlockton-Was-a-Changed-Man-After-NFL-Career-134786568.html

She scrapped her career for ... scrapping?

Eva Smith spent more than 30 years in the financial world, wearing business suits and dealing with big-money deals and transactions. But a few years ago, she decided to get out -- before the house of cards collapsed, as she knew it would -- and do something she enjoyed. Three years ago she bought the Scrappin' Attack store in Santee with her daughter, and she's loved the transition. My profile of her for the On the Job in Santee series: http://santee.patch.com/articles/she-scrapped-her-career-and-leaped-into-a-new-life#c

Jackson says Raiders are getting better

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Head coach Hue Jackson said improvements in the passing game and committing fewer penalties show that his Oakland team, already 7-4, is getting better as season progresses. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Jackson-Sees-Raiders-Improving-as-Season-Rolls-On-134677293.html

49ers' Edwards hopes to be ready for postseason

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Receiver Braylon Edwards has just 14 catches in 11 games this season, and knows he hasn't met expectations. Now, he says, he's focusing on getting healthy so he can contribute in the playoffs. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Frustrated-Edwards-Hopes-to-be-Healthy-for-Playoffs-134676638.html

Will 49ers earn NFC playoffs' No. 2 seed?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco appears to have the inside track on claiming the NFC's No. 2 playoff seed and a first-round bye. But do the 49ers have what it takes to beat the Packers, if they should meet? Some people doubt it. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Could-be-NFCs-No-2-seed-134610443.html

Raiders' Murphy happy to contribute again

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland receiver Louis Murphy, who hasn't been able to contribute much this season after an injury, is happy to make a 47-yard catch against the Bears that sets up clinching TD moments later. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Murphy-Happy-to-Contribute-Again-134607613.html

Raiders use a different formula to top Bears

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Sebastian Janikowski's six field goals and the Raiders defense -- which intercepted Caleb Hanie three times -- helped Oakland to a 25-20 victory over the Bears to keep them atop the AFC West. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Win-Third-Straight-Maintain-AFC-West-Lead-134569678.html