Kevin Mitchell, the former linebacker who was a member of the 49ers’ last Super Bowl-winning team, died in his sleep at his Ashburn, Va., home. "I was blown away when I heard of Kevin’s death," Niners defensive tackle Bryant Young said. "We were in the same draft class and we always roomed together in training camp and on the road. You take for granted that people will be here forever and I feel bad that we can never have the chance to catch back up with each other. My heart goes out to his wife and family during this devastating time." Read More

The Raiders got the quarterback they need, JaMarcus Russell. Now, they should start him. Immediately. What choice do they have? Their other quarterbacks are stiffs. Andrew Walter is a less talented Jeff George. Josh McCown, obtained in a weekend trade, is with his third team — for a good reason. He couldn’t beat out Jon Kitna in Detroit last year.Russell has enormous talent. He’s played in top-level collegiate competition and had some big games there, most notably in this year’s Sugar Bowl. Read More

I hate Notre Dame. Got no use for the Fighting Irish whatsoever. Overhyped, overexposed and usually overrated. But I’ll tell you this: I wouldn’t wish the private hell that Brady Quinn went through Saturday on a public stage on my worst enemy. Four laborious hours of torture that would have made Jack Bauer cry, all under the white hot glare of a national audience just waiting to watch him break. Go back to Saturday afternoon withme. Close your eyes and imagine ... that it was you ... Read More

I was having trouble sleeping, blaming my waking suddenly on bad dreams after the night after disappointing night of sports in the Bay Area. Ask my wife. I’d become downright grumpy. Mention Pedro Feliz and I’d snap. Baron Davis, and I’d mutter and grumble. Until the other night, that is, when I fell off into a deep slumber filled with dreams I hadn’t had in years. Read More