'Muscle Hamster' leads the Bucs over Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Little rookie running back Doug Martin runs wild on the Oakland defense, rushing for 251 yards and four TDs in the Tampa Bay Bucs' 42-32 victory. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Get-Run-Over-by-Bucs-Muscle-Hamster-177188491.html

Raiders have won two in a row, but Bucs loom as tough foe

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: After beating the Jaguars and Chiefs, the 3-4 Raiders will face a more offensively dangerous team in the Bucs this Sunday. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Bucs-Provide-Bigger-Test-for-Raiders-Than-Jags-and-Chiefs-176970411.html

49ers will be well rested for second-half push

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners will have played just one game in 23 days when they come off their bye week to play the Rams on Nov. 11. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Well-Rested-49ers-Will-Start-Second-Half-Push--176963881.html

Bicycle shop owners in Santee are enjoying the ride together

Pete Balzereit and Sylvia Knust met each other because of bicycles, married and now run A&B Cycle in Santee. Together, they enjoy running their shop together and believe in what they do. My story on their experience for the "On the Job" in Santee series for the Santee Patch website: http://santee.patch.com/articles/bike-shop-owners-enjoying-the-ride-together#photo-11914489

49ers' Vernon Davis has become the Invisible Man

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Where did Vernon Davis go? Over the past two games, the San Francisco tight end has vanished. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Vernon-Davis-Has-Vanished-From-49ers-Passing-Game-176796751.html

Huff has turned the corner at new position

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Safety-turned-cornerback Michael Huff admits his first two games at his new position were rough. Since then, however, he's been coming on fast. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/After-Rough-Beginning-Raiders-Huff-has-Turned-the-Corner-176789201.html

Seth Jones, son of former NBA player Popeye Jones, could be the No. 1 pick in the next NHL draft

True, a lot of Seth Jones' athletic ability comes from his dad, Ronald "Popeye" Jones, who played more than 10 years in the NBA. But to Seth, a lot of the credit for his success goes to his mom, Amy, who told him that if he wanted to play hockey, he'd have to take skating lessons first. Now, the defenseman is a skilled skater and multidimensional player who could be the top overall pick in next June's NHL Draft. My story for USA Hockey: http://usahockey.com/TeamUSA/Mens/Features/Jones.aspx

Even when he wins, 49ers' Alex Smith is knocked by critics

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Alex Smith was almost perfect in a win over Arizona, completing 18-of-19 passes for 232 yards and three TDs. Yet the folks who say he's a "game manager" won't go away. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Even-After-Smiths-Near-Perfect-Game-49ers-QB-is-Knocked-176596961.html

Moss making 49ers a more dangerous offense

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Randy Moss may only have 13 catches this season, but his impact on team's passing game goes beyond those stats. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Moss-Making-a-Positive-Impact-on-49ers-Offense-176432291.html

A healthy Denarius Moore shows Raiders he's an impact player

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Denarius Moore had a tough start to the season after injuries slowed him in training camp and he was sidelined for the season opener. But now Moore is showing his talents at wide receiver, with TD catches in past three games. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Healthy-Again-Raiders-Denarius-Moore-is-Showing-His-Talent-176426101.html

Alex Smith nearly perfect as 49ers whip Cardinals

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Alex Smith completes 18-of-19 throws and connects for three TD passes as San Francisco tops Arizona 24-3 in an NFC West showdown. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Smith-Almost-Perfect-in-49ers-Victory-Over-Cardinals-176364921.html

Improvement of defense a big factor in Raiders' resurgence

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: After giving up 30 or more points in three straight games, Oakland's defense has improved significantly and has been a big reason the Raiders are now 3-4 after a 1-3 start. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Defense-Has-Improved-Significantly-176272541.html

Raiders win second straight, get back into AFC West race

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With a second straight win, this one over the Chiefs, 26-16, Oakland at 3-4 is suddenly alive in a weak AFC West. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Win-Second-Straight-Get-Back-Into-AFC-West-Race-176190771.html

The secluded coves and coastline of Laguna Beach are a special draw to visitors and a beautiful place for a weekend getaway

I've been up and down California, from Crescent City at the Oregon border to Imperial Beach next to Mexico, but somehow I'd never been to Laguna Beach. But on a weekend trip to the little Orange County coastal city, we discovered a beautiful spot with a character all its own and secluded beaches and coves unlike other areas in Southern California. My travel story for U-T San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/oct/26/coves-and-coastal-bluffs-set-laguna-beach-apart/

Vonn ready to make history for U.S. ski team on the World Cup circuit this season

Lindsey Vonn has dominated alpine skiing the past few years and begins her quest for a fifth straight overall World Cup title in 2012-13 this weekend in the season's first event in Austria. But Vonn isn't the only story line. Julia Mancuso and a young American phenom also should make news, and veterans and Olympic gold medalists Ted Ligety and Bode Miller return, also. A season preview of the World Cup season for TeamUSA.org: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Know-Monday-Night-Matchup-with-Cards-Will-be-Physical-175977661.html

Niners expect bruising game with Cardinals

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco, just off a physical victory over Seattle, expects another fight with defensive-minded Arizona this Monday night: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Know-Monday-Night-Matchup-with-Cards-Will-be-Physical-175977661.html

In crazy (weak) AFC West, another win makes Raiders contenders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: At 2-4, the Raiders haven't been impressive. But with a win over the Chiefs Sunday, they will put themselves back into the division race. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/With-a-Win-Over-Chiefs-Raiders-Would-be-AFC-West-Contenders-175972691.html

Niners' offensive line is the team's overlooked strength

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: San Francisco's offensive line might be the most overlooked aspect of the 49ers' success. One analysis says the team has the No. 1 line in football, particularly in the running game. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Offensive-Line-is-the-Cutting-Edge-to-49ers-Offense-175805161.html

Lamarr Houston adding impact to Raiders defense

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Defensive end Lamarr Houston, the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week, is a high-energy player who keeps getting better and better, says head coach Dennis Allen. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Getting-Revved-Up-by-Houstons-Energy-175799851.html

Jeff Blatnick, who opened doors to Greco-Roman wrestling with his emotional victory in 1984 Olympics, is dead at age 55

Jeff Blatnick overcame cancer to win a gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, then continued to be involved in wrestling for the rest of his life, contributing as a TV commentator, coach and administrator, as well as working with the U.S. Olympic Committee. He died at age 55 Wednesday of complications following heart surgery. My story on Blatnick for the U.S. Olympic website, TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/October/24/Jeff-Blatnick-Dies-At-The-Age-Of-55.aspx