Warner's 49ers future looks bright

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Linebacker Fred Warner had a great rookie season, so 49ers are expecting even bigger things ahead for him. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Excited-About-Fred-Warners-Future-505140811.html

Chris Warren is ready for prime time

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: After waiting in the wings for a year, running back Chris Warren could give the Raiders what they need: a young, hard-running, big and inexpensive No. 1 running back. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Chris-Warren-Eager-to-Earn-Job-After-Injury-505138921.html

Let the Raiders mock drafts begin!

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: One thing all the mock drafters agree on is that the Raiders will draft an edge rusher with one of their three first-round picks. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Defense-Will-be-Priority-for-Raiders-in-First-Round-of-Draft-505085531.html

Armstead has proven himself worthy

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers have a decision to make about Arik Armstead. His play in 2018 should make it easy for them. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Its-Almost-Decision-Time-for-49ers-on-Armstead-505082591.html

Niners' Lynch says Garoppolo rehabbing well

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB Jimmy Garoppolo will be able to participate in full offseason program, says GM John Lynch. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Garoppolo-will-be-Ready-for-Spring-Workouts-505024781.html

GM Mayock says Raiders need more speed

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: New GM Mike Mayock says he sees a need for speed on both offense and defense. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-New-GM-Sees-a-Need-for-Speed-505026901.html

Report: Raiders may draft a QB in Round 1

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders have no plans to move Derek Carr, yet may still draft a quarterback in the first round with one of their picks, says one media report. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Will-Raiders-Draft-a-Quarterback-in-the-First-Round-504969981.html

Niners' Lynch vows to re-sign kicker Gould

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: GM John Lynch says he'll do his best to retain "clutch" kicker Robbie Gould. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Lynch-Says-He-Wants-to-Keep-Gould-504971451.html

Former Stanford track runner Sophie Chase, who survived tough times in college, is now a rising triathlon star

Sophie Chase was recruited by USA Triathlon off the Stanford track team. In just about 18 months in her new sport, she's making huge strides. She could be a future triathlon star. My story about her for ESPNW.com: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/25835118/after-turning-triathlon-post-college-sophie-chase-rise-meteoric

Are Raiders just a few pieces away?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB Derek Carr says it won't take much to make Raiders good in 2019. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Carr-We-Have-Some-Foundational-Pieces-504652612.html

Richburg had a challenging season

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Center Weston Richburg played injured in 2018. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Richburg-Had-to-Fight-Through-Injury-504651372.html

Carr: Players around NFL want to join Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB Derek Carr says Jon Gruden was right; plenty of players around the league want to sign with the Raiders. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Carr-Says-Many-NFL-Players-Want-to-Come-to-Raiders-504546291.html

Analytics show Pettis has big upside

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Wide receiver Dante Pettis, when healthy, made a major impact on the efficiency of the passing game in 2018. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Pettis-Could-be-Big-Part-of-49ers-Offense-in-2019-504548681.html?hsf

Richard earns accolades as a receiver

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Third-year running back Jalen Richard had a breakout year as a receiver in Jon Gruden's offense. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Jalen-Richard-Evolves-into-Deluxe-Receiver-504486651.html

Richie James makes some all-rookie teams

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Wide receiver/kick returner Richie James made quite an impression in his first season. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-James-Had-Big-Impact-in-a-Limited-Role-504488661.html?hsf

Deserving Buckner gets late invite to Pro Bowl

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: DeForest Buckner, who had 12 sacks in 2018, gets a delayed invitation to his first Pro Bowl. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/DeForest-Buckner-Gets-Late-Invitation-to-Pro-Bowl-504429651.html

Raiders got lucky with guard Denzelle Good

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: When guard Denzelle Good was released by the Colts in December -- because of a conflict with a coach -- he was signed by the Raiders and started (and played well) over the season's final three games. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Late-Season-Pickup-Denzelle-Good-Made-Strong-Impression-504431901.html

A trend: More grandparents are becoming caregivers for their grandkids because of drug- and health-related issues

In recent years, more grandparents have had to step in to take care of grandchildren. It's a national trend. Because of drug problems and mental health issues, parents are being found to be incapable of caring for their kids, so grandparents are coming to their rescue. But not all grandparents are getting equal aid when they take on these responsibilities. My story for the Union-Tribune Caregiver section: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/caregiver/sd-he-caregiver-grandparents-20181221-story.html

49ers change coaches on the defensive line

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers have fired their defensive line coach and brought in another after a 4-12 year. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Make-Change-With-Defensive-Line-Coach-504375401.html

Raiders let C.J. Anderson get away

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: What were the Raiders thinking, allowing running back C.J. Anderson -- now starring with the Rams -- to get away? https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Fumbled-Chance-With-CJ-Anderson-504377231.html?hsf