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PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is willing to meet with the NFL to discuss an alleged link to performance-enhancing drugs -- but only five days after a deadline the league has imposed while threatening him and three other players with indefinite suspensions.NFL Players Association attorney Heather McPhee sent a letter to the NFL on Thursday, accusing it of trying to bully and publicly shame Harrison without offering evidence beyond a brief mention in television interview last year that was recanted by the accuser.When it came down to it, (if) I got the suspension, the bigger outcome wasnt really worth it, Harrison said after the Steelers 17-0 home exhibition loss to Philadelphia on Thursday night. I wouldnt be on the team, it would hurt the team, it would hurt my teammates and coaches, so it was easier to do the interview.Green Bays Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, and free-agent Mike Neal also were threatened with suspensions. It was not immediately known if a similar meeting was being proposed by the union.Im just glad the process is moving forward, Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said after the Packers 20-12 home victory over Oakland on Thursday night. As already has been stated, as an organization, we support Clay and Julius. And were looking to get this resolved as soon as possible.The leagues deadline for cooperation from the four players is Aug. 25. McPhees letter says Harrison would meet with the NFL at 5 p.m. on Aug. 30 at the teams facility, and would only discuss the portion of the Al-Jazeera interview that mentioned the 14-year veteran.In the report, Charlie Sly, who worked as an intern at an anti-aging clinic, made claims of PED use against several athletes, including the four linebackers. Sly later recanted his claims.Is the NFL aware of any credible evidence -- other than the recanted remarks by one individual shown by Al-Jazeera -- that indicates that there is any validity to the remarks about Mr. Harrison? McPhee wrote to Adolpho Birch, the NFLs senior vice president for labor policy and league affairs.NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league has yet to respond to the letter.Retired quarterback Peyton Manning also was cited in the report, but the NFL cleared him after a separate investigation in which the former Indianapolis and Denver star granted interviews and provided all records sought by league investigators.Harrison is a longtime leader for the Steelers. Matthews and Peppers are key cogs in the Packers defense, and Neal spent the past six seasons with Green Bay.Harrison said he assumes the meeting will take place in Pittsburgh, but he said he wasnt sure about the date. Harrison added the team didnt approach him about his decision.Theyre asking me about PEDs, so ask away, Harrison said. You can ask me about PEDs. I never took a PED in my life and I never failed a drug test. Its simple. Whatever evidence they think they may have or reasoning for questioning is out of my control.Harrison said he wouldnt have a problem with filming the proceedings.Ive been prosecuted and persecuted publicly in the media by them for something I didnt do, so I dont see why we couldnt have the media there to do a live interview, Harrison said. They can ask me questions and I can answer them and yall can see whatever evidence they say theyve got or dont have.Harrison isnt sure what to expect from the interview.I answered all the questions that were in the Al-Jazeera that were in my affidavit, so I have no clue, Harrison said.The NFL first notified the four players Jan. 11 about the investigation into the Al-Jazeera report.Birchs memo to the union said suspensions would start the day after the Aug. 25 deadline, and would end at the discretion of Commissioner Roger Goodell once interviews had been completed.The four players have steadfastly refused to be interviewed without what they call credible evidence. Earlier this week, Harrison reiterated that he would be willing to meet at his house with Goodell.Affidavits were sent by the NFLPA on behalf of the players to substitute for the interviews, but Birch dismissed them as inadequate.Despite the NFLs embarrassing refusal to thoughtfully consider the fair question and viewpoint of a man who has performed his job in a public arena at the highest level for over fifteen years, Mr. Harrison has decided that he will act as the more professional entity in this situation, McPhee wrote before adding that Harrison would make himself available.Goodells power to punish players has been a contentious issue between the NFL and the union in recent years, highlighted by the Deflategate case against the Patriots that resulted in a four-game suspension of quarterback Tom Brady case and that of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who went to court to fight his suspension over allegations of child abuse.He can do whatever he wants, Harrison said about Goodell. Thats just the collective bargaining agreement that the players signed. Thats why the Steelers voted no.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Authentic Custom Phillies Jersey .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. Custom Phillies Jersey China . Siddikur, whose previous win on the circuit came in Brunei three years ago, finished his bogey-free round with a birdie on the 18th for a total of 17-under 199. Indias Shiv Chowrasia, who has finished runner-up in this tournament twice, was in second place after a 66. http://www.customphilliesjersey.com/ . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. Cheap Phillies Jerseys . White came in fourth place in the event. He was the two-time defending gold medallist. The gold medal went to Swiss snowboarder Iouri Podladtchikov. Custom Phillies Jerseys .5 seconds to play in the game, Kevin Love never stopped believing that they would come out of there with a win. The Los Angeles Angels have exercised their $7 million option on Yunel Escobar, tying the third baseman to the team for the 2017 season.Escobar, 34, batted .304 with five home runs and 39 RBIs in 2016, his first season with the Angels. He had a .355 on-base percentage batting out of the leadoff spot.The Angels exercised their option on Escobar, whom they acquired in a trade with the Washington Nationals last offseason, instead of paying a $1 million buyout.He has a .283 career batting average in 10 major league seasons.Los Angeles also desiignated reliever Cory Rasmus for assignment and activated five pitchers from the 60-day disabled list: right-handed starters Garrett Richards, Matt Shoemaker and Nick Tropeano, left-hander Andrew Heaney, and closer Huston Street.ddddddddddddRasmus repeatedly struggled with injuries while going 0-2 with a 5.84 ERA in 19 games last season, his fourth with the Angels.The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '