49ers' Thomas, after waiting a year, finally gets to play

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Guard Brandon Thomas was a gamble pick by the 49ers in 2014 and now the team is eager for him to pay off. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Brandon-Thomas-Ready-to-Play-320282861.html

Cooper quietly confident on eve of first Raiders camp

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Amari Cooper says he's ready for his first pro season. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Amari-Cooper-Quietly-Confident-Heading-Into-Raiders-Training-Camp-320276591.html

Training camp will be bigger test for 49ers' Simpson and White

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Receivers Jerome Simpson and DeAndre White shined in spring workouts, when contact wasn't allowed. What will happen to them in training camp? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Jerome-Simpson-DeAndrew-White-Training-Camp-Will-Test-Speedy-Receivers-320043611.html

Will Nate Allen pay off for Raiders in 2015?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Yes, Oakland likely paid way too much to get safety Nate Allen. But will he help the team? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Nate-Allen-Raiders-Hope-to-Get-Their-Moneys-Worth-320023941.html

Fueled by junk food and a competitive personality, 52-year-old Kurt Searvogel is cycling toward a world record

Kurt Searvogel admits he might be the most competitive person he knows. The software entrepreneur is more than halfway through his year-long attempt to break the 76-year-old world record for miles pedaled in a year, which is 75,000. He daily consumes Pop-Tarts, fast-food burgers, Little Debbie snacks and whole pizzas while also recovering from crashes, bee stings and broken bikes. My story on Searvogel for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/13336817/endurance-sports-kurt-searvogel-attempting-cycle-more-75000-miles-year

Vernon Davis no longer seems to be a "cut" candidate in camp

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: One national writer this week listed tight end Vernon Davis among his potential surprise candidates to be cut in training camp, but it now appears that's unlikely. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Vernon-Davis-Future-Again-Seems-Bright-With-49ers-319465921.html

Long shot Seth Roberts hoping to make Raiders as a wide receiver

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Seth Roberts, who spent 2014 on Oakland's practice squad, gets another shot this summer at making the team. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Roberts-Among-the-Long-Shots-Aiming-at-Raiders-Roster-319451861.html

Bethea is a pillar of 49ers' revamped defense

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Veteran safety Antoine Bethea is an often overlooked yet vital key to 49ers defense for 2015. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Bethea-Should-Again-be-Smart-Solid-Element-of-49ers-Defense-318878101.html

Gabe Jackson in Pro Bowl? It could happen this season

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: As soon as this season, Raiders guard Gabe Jackson could transform into a Pro Bowler. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Jackson-Could-be-Destined-for-Pro-Bowl-318865191.html

Can Kaepernick regain his winning touch in the fourth quarter?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Colin Kaepernick worked to fix his mechanics and approach this offseason. Will that help his performance late in games?http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Kaepernick-Will-Need-to-be-Effective-in-the-Fourth-Quarter-318658381.html

Del Rio makes bold prediction about 2015 Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland has been an also-ran for more than a decade, yet new head coach Jack Del Rio says he sees no reason the Raiders can't win the AFC West title. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Del-Rio-Not-Shy-About-Optimism-318651361.html

Britney Henry has gone to great lengths -- and through many jobs -- to pursue her dream to make an Olympic team as a hammer thrower

Britney Henry is a former All-America hammer thrower at Oregon who ranks among the best in her sport in the United States. Like many female athletes, she has to juggle work and training while trying to be an elite performer. My story on her for ESPNW, the first in a series of stories for the website on working women athletes: http://espn.go.com/espnw/athletes-life/article/13308570/why-britney-henry-willing-go-debt-dream

Professional caddie at Pebble Beach carries bags for a living while also bagging top finishes at some of the toughest ultra marathon races

Michael Jimenez had gotten away from his love of running as a boy. But after rediscovering running through his daughter, the professional caddie at Pebble Beach can't get enough of it. The winner of a rugged, 100-mile ultra marathon around Big Bear in California will now tackle the ultra-tough Badwater 135-mile race in Death Valley next week. My story for ESPN.com's Endurance Sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/13307728/endurance-sports-pebble-beach-caddie-michael-jimenez-taking-badwater-135

49ers' Staley is no ordinary Joe

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Offensive tackle Joe Staley remains one of the NFL's most fierce and skilled run blockers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Joe-Staley-Still-Packs-Punch-For-Solid-Running-Attack-318435001.html

Six key position battles for Raiders in training camp

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: A new coaching staff and plenty of new players on the roster should lead to increased competition in Oakland's Napa training camp this summer. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Competition-Should-be-Fierce-at-Six-Key-Positions-318429111.html

Workout regimen should lead to more "explosiveness" for Murray

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Running back Latavius Murray, after going through extensive workout program with a friend, promises to be more explosive in 2015. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Latavius-Murray-Up-for-The-Challenge-318290261.html

Marcus Martin says he'll take a big step up in 2015

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Second-year offensive lineman Marcus Martin says he's ready to dominate in 2015. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Marcus-Martin-Worked-Hard-is-Eager-to-Dominate-in-2015-318294591.html

49ers' owner says Tomsula can do what Kerr did with Warriors

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: 49ers CEO Jed York says criticism of new head coach Jim Tomsula is off base, and Tomsula will change culture and produce a winner, just as Steve Kerr did with NBA's Warriors. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/49ers-Jed-York-Compares-Tomsula-to-Warriors-Kerr-318133621.html

NFL panelists believe Carr will shine with a better cast

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: A panel of NFL coaches, scouts and execs believe Raiders QB Derek Carr did well as a rookie, despite an "awful" supporting cast. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/NFL-Coaches-Execs-Believe-Derek-Carr-Will-Make-Big-Leap-in-2015-With-Better-Cast-318138641.html

Bank of America executive Erwin Castillo discovered running as a route to better health and happiness

Erwin Castillo was going through a divorce and handling mountains of stress when he discovered running. Since then, his life is still hectic, but he's much happier. My story on Castillo for the Active San Diego series in the Union-Tribune Health section: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/jul/21/castillo-banker-goal-races/