Mario Williams, now a free agent, may get a bid from Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Elite NFL pass rusher Mario Williams, cut loose by the Bills this week to save salary-cap space, is a possible target in free agency for the Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Might-be-a-Nice-Fit-for-Defensive-End-Mario-Williams-370796611.html

Report indicates 49ers' Baalke is zeroing in on Michigan State QB Cook

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: A report following the NFL Combine says 49ers GM Trent Baalke would love to draft former Michigan State QB Connor Cook, possibly in the second round. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Report-49ers-Baalke-Sees-Connor-Cook-as-Best-QB-in-the-Draft-370802071.html

Kelly says coordinator O'Neil has what it takes to turn around defense

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Chip Kelly says Jim O'Neil comes from the "Rex Ryan coaching tree" and is a top defensive coach. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Kelly-Has-Faith-in-ONeil-to-Produce-a-Strong-Defensive-Unit-370661311.html

Raiders sign punter King to five-year deal

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Marquette King was once a raw talent with a strong leg. Now he's one of the most skilled punters in the NFL, and the Raiders have rewarded him with a five-year deal. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Invest-in-Future-With-Punter-Marquette-King-370656741.html

Ellington appears to have a fan in his new head coach

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Chip Kelly says he sees a lot to like in speedy receiver Bruce Ellington, who has received little playing time at wide receiver with the 49ershttp://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Kelly-Sees-Big-Potential-in-Little-Bruce-Ellington-370509401.html

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Del Rio indicates he'd love to see Donald Penn return

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders coach notes he'd love to have Donald Penn and indicates the two sides are still working on a new deal. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Penns-Departure-from-Raiders-May-Not-be-a-Sure-Thing-370513061.html

Sue Ring-Jarvi opened doors (and skated through them) as a pioneer of women's hockey in Minnesota

Sue Ring-Jarvi fell in love with hockey as a post-graduate student at the University of Minnesota and helped establish a women's club team in the late 1970s. Eventually, that morphed into a highly successful national varsity program. She went on to become a coach and hockey official and is credited with being a pioneer of the female game in her state at every level. Plus, she's still a die-hard player on a serious club team. My story on her for ESPNW's Weekend Warriors series: http://espn.go.com/espnw/life-style/article/14831342/weekend-warriors-pioneer-women-hockey-minnesota

Niners' dysfunction still visible for all to see

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Colin Kaepernick situation this week revealed that the Niners' leadership may still be sailing in foggy seas. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Dysfunction-Hasnt-Yet-Disappeared-370271631.html

Raiders ability to overpay free agents will be key

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Normally, overpaying for something isn't good. But in the NFL, having so much salary cap space that must be spent can be a good thing for a team in search of impact free agents such as cornerback Sean Smith. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Cap-Space-Will-Allow-Team-to-Overpay-for-Impact-Talent-370266291.html

Baalke: 49ers can't have too many pass rushers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: GM Trent Baalke knows he needs to add pass rushers to the 49ers this offseason. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Baalke-Says-49ers-Need-More-Defenders-Who-Can-Rush-the-Passer-370124081.html

Raiders can add pieces to aid Carr's continued development

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Is receiver a priority need for the Raiders in the draft? No. But would adding yet another speedy pass catcher aid Derek Carr's ability to throw deep? Of course. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Another-Deep-Threat-Receiver-Would-Aid-Carrs-Development-370116401.html

U.S. national team linemates Cameranesi and Skarupa have their Minnesota and Boston College teams headed toward the Frozen Four

Forwards Dani Cameranesi of Minnesota and Haley Skarupa of Boston College are former U.S. World Championship linemates who rank among the best scorers in women's college hockey this season. My story for USA Hockey's Kaz Watch series: http://www.pattykaz.com/news_article/show/615917?referrer_id=718465

Former Eagle Mathis not high on Chip Kelly as a head coach

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Chip Kelly has his supporters and his detractors. Count guard Evan Mathis, who was cut by Kelly during his time in Philadelphia, among ex-Eagles with a low opinion of the new 49ers head coach. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Another-Kelly-Critic-Surfaces-Among-Former-Eagles-Players-369974791.html

Cornerbacks will be in Raiders' spotlight at the Combine

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Cornerback Eli Apple may be the prime target of Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie at this week's NFL Combine. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/McKenzie-May-Focus-on-Cornerbacks-at-Combine-This-Week-369970621.html

49ers will meet with Kaepernick's reps at NFL Combine

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area: Colin Kaepernick's representatives will meet with the 49ers' brass this week at the NFL Combine in a gathering that will shine more light on his future with the team. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Will-Have-a-QB-on-Their-Radar-at-Combine-369822661.html

Is an Eric Wedde-Raiders marriage likely?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Chargers Eric Weddle seems like a perfect fit for Oakland ... or is he? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Would-Weddle-be-a-Nice-Fit-at-Safety-for-the-Raiders-369828921.html

Young Marine wife was devastated after her husband was killed in Afghanistan, and turned to drinking. Through running, she's regained her life...

Brittney Hogan was only 21 when she learned her husband of 18 months was killed in Afghanistan. Soon, she was drinking all day, not working, had no energy and was lost. When a friend suggested she run with her, it opened her world again. Soon, she gave up drinking and started training. Now she's built her world around fitness and has started a fitness-clothing line. My story on her for DiscoverSD, the Union-Tribune publication: http://www.discoversd.com/news/recreation-health/

Kelechi Osemele may be Penn replacement

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Ravens lineman Kelechi Osemele may wind up to be replacement for Donald Penn on Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/With-Penn-Seemingly-Out-Raiders-Will-Look-Elsewhere-369667211.html

Which tight end will emerge from 49ers pack?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners have several tight ends, but will any emerge as an elite pass catcher?http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Which-Tight-End-Will-Emerge-in-Kellys-49ers-Offense-369429601.html

Low-round pick Trent Brown has high upside for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Guard-tackle Trent Brown may turn out to be bonanza as a seventh-round pick in 2015. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/In-Second-Season-Trent-Brown-May-Find-a-Home-on-49ers-Line-369672101.html