NFL NEWS AND NOTES

Kansas City guard Will Shields is retiring after 14 NFL seasons, during which he made a record 12 Pro Bowl appearances and anchored one of the top offensive lines in the league. Shields, who made a team-record 224 starts, made his 12th Pro Bowl appearance last season to tie the record held by Minnesota guard Randall McDaniel. The Chiefs had been waiting for Shields to decide whether he would come back for another season. Making the announcement entirely without warning on his Web site seemed in keeping with the privacy he has closely guarded throughout his stellar career. A team spokesman said Sunday night the club was not aware of Shields' announcement....

LB Al Wilson, who was released from the Broncos on Friday because of a combination of injury and salary cap concerns, said his neck remains a concern. Wilson won't play again until doctors clear him. Wilson claims doctors say his neck is getting better. "If I can get medically cleared, hey, I'm going to go out and play," Wilson said. "I feel like I still can play. It's not about the money. I'll only get out there and play if I'm healthy."....

As the Steelers offensive coordinator the past three years, new Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt developed a reputation for occasionally using gadget plays, so WR Anquan Boldin also could be called upon to throw once in awhile. What Boldin really wants to do, however, is to take a few of those 550 rushing attempts that Whisenhunt would like to have in a season. "I don't have to throw the ball, just put me in the backfield a couple of times and let me run it, I'll be OK," Boldin said following minicamp in the Arizona Republic. Would he be all right with running behind a fullback? "Who me? Running behind a fullback? I wouldn't mind, extra blocker, but just put me in the 'I' by myself and I'll be OK."....

Cardinals RB Edgerrin James went through a full practice Friday and brushed aside any questions about the minor arthroscopic surgery he had on his right knee in the offseason. "A little scratch," he said. "I was in and out the same day and that night was hanging out in clubs and stuff. Everything's normal. I'm just out here doing what I'm supposed to do."