Jenkins is gone, yet casts long shadow over 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The whiff on receiver A.J. Jenkins in the draft haunts 49ers' evaluations of receivers in 2014 draft. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Jenkins-Casts-Shadow-Over-49ers-Receiver-Evaluations-257168551.html

McGloin working to sharpen skills in offseason

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Matt McGloin knows he won't be the Raiders No. 1 QB in 2014, but he's working hard to make himself better. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McGloin-True-to-Form-Continues-to-Sharpen-Skills-257159191.html

Already, 2014 has been a wild (and wonderful) ride for Paralympic snowboarder Mike Shea

Mike Shea won a silver medal at the Sochi Winter Paralympics, after winning the overall World Cup snowboarding title. And those were just two of his highlights from 2014. My story on Shea for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2014/April/28/Mike-Sheas-winter-to-remember

Alex Deibold still riding high, weeks after winning a bronze medal in snowboard cross at Sochi Olympics

At the 2010 Winter Olympics, Alex Deibold was waxing the boards of his U.S. teammates after failing to qualify for the team. Four years later, he was on the medal stand, with a bronze in snowboard cross. He's still riding high, weeks after returning from Sochi. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2014/April/28/Deibolds-Olympic-High-Lasts-Long-Past-Sochi

Report: 49ers interested in Indiana WR Cody Latimer

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Would Indiana wide receiver Cody Latimer give 49ers what they need? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Linked-to-Indiana-Wide-Receiver-256995441.html

Among marathoners, getting the chance to run in the scenic Big Sur Marathon is at the top of the list of desired races, a true "bucket-list" race

When the Big Sur Marathon was started 29 years ago, it was a small, mostly local race. Organizers hoped it would be a classy event and sell itself to the world, because of the fantastic scenery along Highway 1. Now, it's become a destination event for runners from every corner of the globe. My story on the race for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/10834559/endurance-sports-scenery-challenges-put-big-sur-marathon-running-bucket-lists

Will the 49ers extend Crabtree deal to beyond 2014?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Michael Crabtree can walk away from the 49ers after 2014. Will the Niners let that happen? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Crabtrees-Future-With-49ers-is-Cloudy-256709891.html

Some say Raiders should trade down to build up

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: NFL analyst Mel Kiper Jr. says the Raiders can get an impact player with the No. 5 pick, but they'd be better off to trade down and collect more picks. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Kiper-Raiders-Should-Trade-Down-to-Build-Up-256703111.html

Niners catch a break with late-season Seahawks games

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Not meeting the Seahawks until Nov. 27 and Dec. 14 may be an advantage for San Francisco. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Late-Season-Matchups-vs-Seahawks-a-Blessing-for-49ers-256538391.html

Raiders reportedly like Michigan OT Taylor Lewan

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The buzz about the Raiders in the draft has included their possibly taking one of the top two offensive tackles, Jake Matthews and Greg Robinson. But now reports say Oakland prefers Michigan's Taylor Lewan. So what does that mean? http://naturevalleytrailview.com/grand-canyon

Where does Lloyd fit in 49ers' 2014 plans?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Wideout Brandon Lloyd, now with the team in conditioning program, says he's eager to show team what he can do. But how much playing time will he actually get? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Lloyd-Eager-to-Show-49ers-Hes-an-Impact-Player-256368231.html

Raiders' new old guys say they bring winning attitude

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: GM Reggie McKenzie wanted to bring in veteran free agents who would change the culture of the franchise, and those vets now say that's exactly what they'll do. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-New-Old-Guys-Hope-to-Spark-Winning-Attitude-256363401.html

Have 49ers wasted talents of LaMichael James?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: It appears the 49ers are shopping LaMichael James, a running back the team never really utilized. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/James-Talents-Have-Been-Wasted-With-49ers-256189731.html

Some believe Raiders made big strides in free agency

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Some analysts believe the Raiders are a much better team now because of their splurge in free agency. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/For-Short-Term-Raiders-Improved-in-Free-Agency-256182381.html

Reports: Raiders will soon release Terrelle Pryor

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Multiple reports indicate the Raiders will cut ties with QB Terrelle Pryor today. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Reports-Raiders-Pryor-Will-Soon-Part-256026591.html

At 16, Declan Farmer played a big role in helping U.S. sled hockey team win gold at Sochi Paralympics

He's only 16, but Declan Farmer already is one of the best scorers in international sled hockey, and his play was a big part of the U.S. success in repeating as Paralympic champions at the Sochi Paralympics. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2014/April/18/Paralympics-yield-tractor-loads-Of-experience-for-Declan-Farmer

Tyler Andrews: It's a long route from Tufts, to South America to world-record holder (on a treadmill) for the half-marathon to the 2014 Boston Marathon

Tyler Andrews' first marathon will be the 2014 Boston Marathon, the granddaddy of 'em all. It's a dream come true for the kid from Massachusetts. My story for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/10798994/endurance-sports-tyler-andrews-go-treadmill-record-boston-marathon

Little risk to 49ers in signing veteran Brandon Lloyd

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners' commitment to wideout Brandon Lloyd is small, so if he doesn't pan out it's no harm, no foul. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Signing-of-Lloyd-Has-No-Downside-255496341.html

Raiders' reality trumps all those mock drafts

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Seven players are tabbed in a sampling of 17 different mock drafts for Oakland's No. 5 overall pick, indicating ... well, nothing. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Mock-Drafts-for-Raiders-Reveal--Nothing-255490511.html

Oklahoma cornerback could be 49ers' next 'redshirt'

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Sooners cornerback Aaron Colvin, recovering from a torn ACL, could be a solid late-round pick for San Francisco if it wants to wait a season for him to be able to play. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Could-Draft-Another-Redshirt-Player-255325521.html