Niners believe receiver Quinton Patton has big upside

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Louisiana Tech wideout Quinton Patton, who shined in Senior Bowl, could be the No. 3 receiver 49ers have been looking for. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Patton-May-Give-49ers-a-Receiver-Worth-Saluting-205407751.html

What does draft of Menelik Watson mean for Raiders' Khalif Barnes?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: When the Raiders took offensive tackle Menelik Watson in the second round, it cast doubt on veteran Khalif Barnes' status at right tackle. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Draft-of-Watson-Leaves-Barnes-Status-in-Doubt-205398101.html

Niners' NFC West foes have become even stronger through draft

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Yes, the 49ers liked their draft. But the drafts of the Rams, Cardinals and Seahawks were strong, too, meaning the NFC West race will be a battle in 2013. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Foes-Have-Become-More-Formidable-205242041.html

Raiders know AFC West foes have gotten stronger, too

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders believe they made big strides in improving their roster through the draft, but also can look around and see the Chargers and Chiefs being much improved, too. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Know-Chargers-Chiefs-Made-Big-Strides-205233271.html

"The Last Battle" tells the little-known story of U.S., German soldiers fighting side-by-side in World War II

In the final days of World War II in Austria, German and American forces teamed up to rescue a group of French prisoners from hard-core elements of the Waffen-SS. My review of Stephen Harding's "The Last Battle" for the San Diego Union-Tribune: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/apr/28/tp-after-hitlers-death-an-unlikely-alliance/

Selection of Lattimore could be brilliant move for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers concluded their draft by bringing in more players to compete for jobs in 2013, but the biggest-impact player may be Marcus Lattimore, who may not play until 2014. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Score-for-Now-and-Later-205035731.html

McKenzie wraps up Raiders draft that was 'interesting'

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area: Reggie McKenzie made 10 picks in this 2013 draft, some of which seemed odd or unusual. But, there's no doubt his draft was interesting ... and it could have a high upside if he knows what he's doing. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Give-McKenzies-Raiders-Draft-an-I-for-Interesting-205030521.html

Niners' Baalke is brilliant with second-day picks

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In the first two days of the draft, Niners GM Trent Baalke has already filled three key areas of concern: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Fans-Already-Toasting-Baalkes-Draft-204953871.html

For Raiders, McKenzie does an Al Davis imitation in draft

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Reggie McKenzie's first two picks in the 2013 draft may turn out to be stars, but they looked very much like players Al Davis would have chosen. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McKenzies-Draft-Has-Al-Davis-Like-Flavor-204951151.html

Niners move way up in first round, take safety Eric Floyd

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Niners GM Trent Baalke moves up 13 spots in first round to get safety Eric Floyd of LSU, yet keeps both of his second-round choices. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Bold-Move-Up-is-Surprising-But-Not-Costly-204792511.html

Raider Nation is a house divided about No. 1 pick Hayden

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders fans loved GM Reggie McKenzie's move to trade down in the first round, but were divided about his pick, cornerback D.J. Hayden. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raider-Nation-Divided-on-Pick-of-Hayden-204789121.html

Veteran freeskier Simon Dumont is still flying high and eager to be a part of sport's Olympic debut at Sochi

For years, freeskier Simon Dumont has not only been a trendsetter and medal winner across the globe, but he's lobbied hard and long to see his sport included in the Olympics. Now that it will make its Olympic debut at Sochi in 2014, Dumont wants to do everything he can to be on the U.S. team in Russia. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/Road-to-Sochi-2014/Features/2013/April/24/Simon-Dumont-Flying-High.aspx

Raiders' GM McKenzie getting lots of 'action' for No. 3 pick

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland GM Reggie McKenzie says he's getting many inquiries from other teams about Raiders' No. 3 overall choice. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-McKenzie-Will-Enjoy-This-Draft-More-Than-First-204496321.html

49ers' Baalke does the unexpected, so maybe he'll stay put

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Often, 49ers GM Trent Baalke does the unexpected. So while the buzz is that he'll trade up in the first round, don't be surprised if he stays put with the picks he has. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Expect-49ers-Baalke-to-do-the-Unexpected-204503491.html

Sometimes, even the greatest of golf's pros hack away like amateurs on a single hole

Billy Casper, John Daly, Tom Weiskopf and Gary McCord have all played like weekend hackers on a single hole, racking up scores in double digits on the PGA Tour or in golf's majors. Sometimes, bad things happen to good golfers. My story on the worst single-hole scores ever, for ESPN.com's Playbook section: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/21248/listed-the-10-worst-holes-in-pga-history

Russian-Americans campaign for Sochi

To a group of Russian-Americans, the prospect of Sochi becoming the first Olympic host since Moscow in 1980 is exciting. The group is traveling across the U.S. to marathons and running events to educate Americans about the host city and promote the Winter Games of 2014. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/Road-to-Sochi-2014/Features/2013/April/23/The-Path-To-Sochi-2014.aspx

If McKenzie keeps Pick No. 3, look for a smart, safe choice

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders have gambled and lost with past first-round picks, but if Oakland keeps its No. 3 overall choice, expect Oakland to take a solid, safe player -- likely a lineman. GM Reggie McKenzie can't afford a mistake. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McKenzie-Cant-Afford-to-Gamble-with-Top-Pick-204290641.html

Reports indicate 49ers may make bold move in first round

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: More and more analysts are hearing that the 49ers will package picks to move up much higher in the first round for an immediate-impact player. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Buzz-Getting-Louder-About-49ers-Moving-up-in-First-Round-204300501.html

Yes, Kaepernick is fast ... but he wants to be faster

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Colin Kaepernick has been working hard since the end of the season to improve his game, including working with world-class sprinters to refine his running technique. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Kaepernicks-Fast-But-Wants-to-be-Faster-204105251.html

Each year on Draft Day, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell morphs from Mr. Enforcer to Uncle Huggable

Since taking office, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has taken a hard line on many topics, and has enforced discipline on his subjects. But on Draft Day, the NFL's czar has a hug for everyone. My story for ESPN.com: http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/21119/a-brief-history-of-goodells-nfl-hugfest