een Bay.Harrison said he assumes the meeting will take place in Pittsburgh, but he said he wasnt sure about the date. Harrison a

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. 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Danny Cipriani returns to Wasps intent on helping restore the clubs glory days after falling back in love with rugby at Sale.Cipriani launched his career with European and Aviva Premiership titles when Wasps were the dominant force home and abroad, but then found success far more elusive during spells at Melbourne Rebels and the Sharks.By his own admission winning silverware came easily when surrounded by players of the calibre of Lawrence Dallaglio and Josh Lewsey and his affection for the sport later waned amid the challenges of spending time in the media spotlight.Now back at the club where his career began in 2006 - albeit in the unfamiliar surroundings of Coventrys Ricoh Arena - the 28-year-old Cipriani believes he returns as a more complete and happier player.Everything is different at Wasps now, whether its the training ground or the stadium, but its still exciting to put the Wasps shirt on again and play for the club where I started and that I supported as a kid, Cipriani said.ddddddddddddheres been a big turn-around, but the brand of Wasps, what it stands for and the culture havent changed.That was a big pull for me and Ive been fortunate enough to come back here and represent the club again.Id definitely like to help win titles here. Id like to be part of that and thats one of the main reasons why I came back to Wasps.I felt very fortunate to start my career here and, off the back of that, win a couple of trophies straight away. I felt like it was always going to be like that, but it didnt pan out that way.At Sale Ive been in a team that helped me learn a lot about the game itself and fall back in love with the game again.I will put forward as much of my experience as I can and hopefully as a squad we can build towards that legend of the Wasps of the past. ' ' '