It's a new look for U.S. biathlon teams

With new head coaches for both the men's and women's teams, the retirement of two veteran standouts and the addition of some younger prospects, the U.S. biathlon teams are ready for the start of a new season. My story for TeamUSA.org: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/November/29/Excitement-Beckons-As-Biathlon-Season-Begins-With-New-US-Coaches-New-Look-On-Teams

Finally healthy, Dante Pettis is producing for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: WR Dante Pettis is finally getting a chance to show what he can do. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Pettis-Coming-on-Strong-Now-That-Hes-Healthy-Again-501550411.html

Cooper: Raiders didn't know how to use me

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: WR Amari Cooper is playing like a star since being traded by Oakland to Dallas. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Cooper-Believes-Raiders-Didnt-Know-How-to-Use-Him-501553931.html

Derek Carr is winning over Gruden

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland head coach Jon Gruden says QB Derek Carr is "a heck of a quarterback" who will be part of the team's future plans. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Gruden-Says-Carr-is-a-Heck-of-a-Quarterback-501354291.html

Despite rocky game, Mullens will start at QB

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Nick Mullens will get another start vs. Seattle, despite poor performance vs. Bucs. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Despite-Rough-Game-Mullens-Will-Start-Again-501349871.html

Rookie tackles struggling to protect Carr

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie tackle Brandon Parker allows three sacks of Derek Carr. Fellow rookie Kolton Miller has had similar problems. How will the Raiders fix this problem? https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Couldnt-Protect-Carr-in-Loss-to-Ravens-501257761.html

Niners lose Jimmie Ward ... yet again

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Jimmie Ward, who broke a forearm vs. the Bucs, may have played his last game as a 49er. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Another-Injury-May-Have-Ended-Wards-Time-With-49ers-501255011.html

Formula is the same for another Raiders loss

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: If you've seen one Raiders loss, you've seen them all, even this one vs. the Ravens. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Stick-to-Same-Losing-Script-in-Baltimore-501207821.html

49ers lose a game, relase Rueben Foster

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: It's a no-good, very bad day for the 49ers. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Its-a-Bad-Sunday-in-Every-Way-for-the-49ers-501207191.html

Lamar Jackson will be a dual threat vs. Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Lamar Jackson's ability to run as a quarterback will test a shaky Raiders run defense. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Ravens-Jackson-Could-Test-Raiders-Run-Defense-501136221.html

Mullens taking his act on the road

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB Nick Mullens gets his first road start Sunday in Tampa, Fla. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Mullens-Takes-His-Act-on-the-Road-501134111.html

Witherspoon critiqued in Year 2

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Some analysts see second-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon as a weak link right now. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Some-See-Witherspoon-as-a-Weak-Link-in-Secondary-501083172.html

Carr wants to spoil draft forecasts

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland QB Derek Carr wants nothing to do with getting the No. 1 pick next year. He wants wins, now. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Carr-Wants-Wins-Not-the-No-1-Pick-in-Next-Years-Draft-501084452.html

Raiders' Carlson shining with second chance

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Cut by the Vikings in Week 2 for missing all three field goals in a game, kicker Daniel Carlson is rebounding nicely with the Raiders. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Kicker-Carlson-Making-Most-of-Raiders-Opportunity-500931601.html

49ers' Garnett sidelined by broken thumb

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Yet another injury hurdle faces former first-round pick Joshua Garnett. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Yet-Another-Injury-Will-Sideline-Joshua-Garnett-500928331.html

49ers tied in race to the bottom of the NFL

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: At 2-8, the 49ers are tied with two others in the race for the No. 1 draft pick in 2019. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Still-in-Running-for-No-1-Draft-Pick-500837331.html

Marcell Ateman catches on fast for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: WR Marcell Ateman helps Oakland win in his NFL debut. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Marcell-Ateman-Catches-on-Fast-for-Raiders--500834391.html

Raiders drive for late FG to beat Cardinals

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders drive for game-winning field goal at end of game to beat Cardinals. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Late-Drive-Produces-a-Rare-Victory-500788991.html

Former West Virginia soccer standout continues to play, juggling optometry studies and Army commitment for a team in national semipro league

When Kailey Utley graduated from West Virginia, she wasn't sure if she'd ever play soccer again. But the optometry student at Missouri-St. Louis -- who will go into the Army as an officer when she graduates -- has found a way to keep playing as a standout on the semipro Fire and Ice in the Women's Premier Soccer League. My story on Utley for ESPNW.com's Women Going Places series: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/25285073/semipro-soccer-player-kailey-utley-balances-sport-optometry-school

49ers' Warner is a good linebacker and leader

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie Fred Warner has been durable, productive and smart this season, exceeding all expectations. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Warner-Showing-49ers-He-Has-the-Right-Stuff-500694261.html