Vikings’ McKinnie says it ain’t always easy being big; he’s ready to advise rookie Loadholt

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Being big has obvious rewards. There are millions of dollars Bryant McKinnie never would have made, had he stopped filling out, oh, 100 pounds ago.

Arizona GM Graves says he looks forward to working with Boldin’s new agent

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals general manager Rod Graves says he looks forward to working with Anquan Boldin’s new agent, Tom Condon.

Retired NFL players lash out at union seeking support during upcoming talks with league

LAS VEGAS — Retired football players angry with the NFL Players Association over disability and pension benefits said Sunday that the executive director of the union may be ahead of himself in seeking their support during upcoming contract talks with the league.

Bettman wants to keep Coyotes in Phoenix, not looking to block Balsillie from NHL

DETROIT — NHL commissioner Gary Bettman insists he is merely trying to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix, not block Jim Balsillie from buying the team and setting up shop in Ontario.

Versatile Harvin: Vikings coaches eagerly insert new pages in playbook for rookie

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — When the Minnesota Vikings made Percy Harvin their first-round draft pick last month, coach Brad Childress immediately asked his offensive coordinator about his plans.

NFLPA is trying to woo support of retired players to strengthen its hand for labor talks

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The NFL Players Association wants the support of various groups of retired players in its upcoming contract talks with the league.

2009 NFL Free Agent Signings List

ARIZONA CARDINALS_Signed Dominque Byrd, TE; Anthony Becht, TE; Mike Leach, LS; Rodney Leisle, DT; Keith Lewis, S; Bryant McFadden, CB; Donovan Raiola, C; Oliver Ross, OT; and Jason Wright, RB. Re-signed Bertrand Berry, DE; Elton Brown, OL; Ben Graham, P; Clark Haggans, LB; Dan Kreider, FB; Brian St. Pierre, QB and Kurt Warner, QB. Agreed to terms with Ralph Brown, CB.

A year older and wider, Crosby and Penguins set sights on Red Wings in Cup rematch

DETROIT — Don’t be fooled by the scraggly semblance of a beard that strains to cover chunks of Sidney Crosby’s 21-year-old face.

Confident Penguins believe ‘08 loss prepared them for rematch with defending champ Red Wings

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins will travel Friday to the city called Hockeytown for their second Stanley Cup finals in as many seasons against Detroit, yet forgive them if they’re convinced they already live there.