Niners saw need, addressed it with speed

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh believes "self scouting" is an important and often-overlooked aspect of being successful. The team's just-concluded work in the NFL Draft is evidence the Niners did some self-scouting and addressed a weakness. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Saw-Their-Need-and-Addressed-it-With-Speed-149498315.html

Draft just a tiny part of Raiders' rebuilding process

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: GM Reggie McKenzie's first Raiders' draft picks aren't likely to make a huge impact on team this season. But McKenzie's philosophy might. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Draft-Just-a-Tiny-Piece-of-Raiders-Rebuilding-Process-149505485.html

49ers waited, then got the guard they wanted

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area. You have to hand it to HarBaalke, the Jim Harbaugh/Trent Baalke leadership of the 49ers for the way the draft was approached. Waiting to take a guard on Saturday -- a guard they had their eyes on -- was a smart move. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Knew-They-Could-Wait-to-Address-Concerns-at-Guard-149417055.html

Raiders hope for high quality from low picks

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Miles Burris isn't a well-known name, but he's the type of player Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie is looking for these days. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Hope-for-High-Quality-from-Low-Picks-149418895.html

Niners going for impact players in draft

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With his first two picks in the draft, 49ers GM Trent Baalke  is focusing on impact players over trying to find a certain piece to fit his puzzle. LaMichael James could be a very versatile addition. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Adding-Speed-Playmakers-to-Offense-in-Draft-149354915.html

Raiders get their (dull) man

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders had to wait a long time to pick someone in the NFL Draft, and when they did they picked a hard-working, stay-at-home, family-oriented tackle. Just their kind of guy in the post-Al Davis era. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-First-Pick-in-Draft-Represents-New-Direction-149356445.html

Raiders might want to draft players who can tackle

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: When Reggie McKenzie finally gets to pick a player in the draft for the Raiders Friday, he might want to focus on a defensive lineman or linebacker who can stuff the run. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Stopping-the-Run-Might-be-a-Priority-for-Raiders-McKenzie-149244185.html

Was Jenkins a 'reach' for the 49ers?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Critics immediately took shots at the Niners' pick in the first round Thursday, saying that receiver A.J. Jenkins of Illinois wasn't worth taking so early. But GM Trent Baalke has earned the trust of Niners fans; he's done OK so far. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Baalke-Has-Earned-Benefit-of-the-Doubt-With-Pick-of-Jenkins-149237945.html

Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Playbook

So what hockey player holds the dubious record for losing the most teeth in games? My Jeopardy for ESPN.com's Playbook page for April 27: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/1323/jeopardy-is-the-quiz-that-eats-like-a-meal

Raiders' McKenzie will be waiting, watching

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Reggie McKenzie doesn't have a first-round pick or a second-round pick in this draft. But he'll be taking notes as he approaches his first choice, No. 95 overall. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-McKenzie-Will-be-Watching-Waiting-and-Preparing-149073135.html

49ers shouldn't draft for "need" in first round

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: the Niners have a rare luxury going into this draft to pick the best player available ... don't worry about a specific need, Trent Baalke. Get the best guy out there. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Dear-49ers-Dont-Draft-for-Need-in-the-First-Round-149064555.html

Dear Rams: Come home. All will be forgiven.

For nearly 50 years, the Los Angeles Rams were a Southern California team, the first major professional sports team to play on the West Coast. But owner Georgia Frontiere yanked them away and deposited them in St. Louis. Now a small group of dedicated fans is working to spread the word that the Rams belong in only one place: Los Angeles. It's a long shot, of course, but they believe their fans will return if the team does... and without the hated Frontiere. My story for ESPN.com's Playbook: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/1238/los-angeles-rams-fans-want-franchise-back

Raiders' new motto? "In Reggie they trust"

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Reggie McKenzie, as first a scout and then a player personnel director, was praised as an uncanny judge of talent for the Green Bay Packers. Now, he gets to show what he can do for the Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-New-Motto-In-Reggie-They-Trust-148890735.html

Niners fans will need to gaze through the hype on draft day

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: What gets more hype and attention than the NFL Draft? Well, hardly anything. So Niners fans might want to remember that all those talking heads know about as much as you do about whether San Francisco's draft picks this week will be able to make an impact in the NFL. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Remember-49ers-fans-Draft-is-More-Art-Than-Science-148883855.html

On draft day, 49ers' Baalke trusts his gut

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: General manager Trent Baalke does his homework before the draft, but when it comes time to making a decision on draft day, he trusts his instincts and first impressions. So far, it's worked. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Baalke-Trusts-Instincts-When-it-Comes-to-the-Draft-148685125.html

Can you guess 49ers' first-round pick? Probably not

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website. It's impossible to guess along with the 49ers going into Thursday night's first round of the NFL Draft. Because the team is stocked, their Round 1 selection is clouded in mystery. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Its-Impossible-to-Guess-49ers-First-round-Draft-Pick-148520235.html

Dynamic pricing is the new trend in professional sports

What's the price of a ticket to a baseball game these days? Well, it depends. The days are gone when a set price is placed on a seat before the season. Now, through what's called "dynamic pricing," the cost of a ticket goes up or down based on the opponent, the day of the week, a pitching matchup, the weather or the history of sales on that particular date. Mostly, the prices go up as a season moves along. But teams know they need to offer bargains, too, so savvy buyers can keep their eyes peeled for cut-rate tickets to some games. My story for ESPN.com's Fandom section of Playbook. http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/845/dynamic-pricing-is-new-trend-in-ticket-sales#more

America's trees tell the history of a nation

Eric Rutkow's first book, "American Canopy," uses the vast forests of the United States and the trees transplanted from Europe to tell the story of our nation's evolution. From exploitation to conservation to preservation, the abundant trees on the continent helped the country in almost every endeavor. My book review of "American Canopy" for the San Diego Union-Tribune: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/apr/21/standing-tall-in-history/

Even the humans get dog tired in this class

Personal fitness trainer Dawn Celapino, after getting her dog Jack several years ago, decided to start physical fitness classes for people and their dogs together. The program, called Leash Your Fitness, has been popular -- though some of the humans leave with their tongues hanging out, just like Fido. My story on Celapino and her course for the San Diego Union-Tribune's Pets Page: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/apr/19/class-doggedly-pursues-fitness/

Kyle Williams' future with 49ers may be tenuous

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners say they like receiver Kyle Williams, and have moved past his mistakes as a punt returner in the NFC Championship Game. Yet as the 2012 season approaches, the roster numbers may be against him -- especially if the team adds another pass catcher in the draft. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/-Addition-of-Receivers-May-Put-Williams-49ers-Future-in-Doubt-148258315.html