New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison says he is retiring

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Two-time Pro Bowl safety Rodney Harrison announced his retirement on Wednesday, saying he is through hitting quarterbacks after a 15-year career for the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers.

Spencer Larsen busiest player at Broncos headquarters as he adapts to 2 new systems

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Spencer “Leatherhead” Larsen is easily the busiest player at Dove Valley.

No hard feelings: S Mark Roman happy to return to Niners after losing job, seeking trade

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — When safety Mark Roman shopped his services around the NFL over the last several weeks, he found nothing more appealing than his sketchy situation with the San Francisco 49ers.

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown skips team workout

PHILADELPHIA — Disgruntled Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown didn’t attend the voluntary team workout on Tuesday.

Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall won’t be suspended over latest domestic dispute

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Brandon Marshall is free to play the entire 2009 season, providing his surgically repaired hip allows it.

Cowboys drop LB Ellis after 11 seasons; ranks 8th on team’s career sack list

IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have released Greg Ellis, ending the linebacker’s career after 11 seasons and the eighth-most sacks in club history.

Dave Checketts, principal owner of Blues, wants to buy the Rams

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts is heading a group seeking to buy the NFL’s Rams and keep the team in St. Louis.

USA Track signs deal with company that helps athletes track supplements

USA Track and Field entered a partnership Tuesday with a company that helps athletes find out if supplements they’re thinking about taking are free of banned substances.

Patriots safety Rodney Harrison expected to announce Wednesday if he will retire

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Here’s a sample, compliments of Patriots linebacker Pierre Woods, of what television viewers can expect when Rodney Harrison goes on the air:

Dawn fire damages NFL players’ union office; no one in building at time

WASHINGTON — A small fire has damaged the office of NFL players’ union head DeMaurice Smith.

Confident Cardinals receiver Steve Breaston soaking up Anquan Boldin’s time in summer workout

TEMPE, Ariz. — As Anquan Boldin stays away in a contract dispute, Steve Breaston has confidently moved up to the No. 2 wide receiver spot for the Arizona Cardinals.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has no timetable for new labor talks, just wants fair agreement

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Headed into contract talks with the players’ union, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says there is no timetable to reach a new agreement.

Former NFL player extradited to face charges in Orange County millionaire’s shooting death

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — A former NFL linebacker has been extradited from Connecticut to Orange County to face a murder charge in the 1994 shooting death of his ex-lover’s millionaire boyfriend.

Chiefs hire Joel Collier as assistang GM, add 3 others to staff

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Longtime NFL executive Joel Collier has been hired by the Kansas City Chiefs as assistant general manager to GM Scott Pioli.

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.