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Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers gave in to the NFLs ultimatum that they cooperate with the leagues investigation into their alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs for one reason:We werent willing to fall on the knife for something we didnt do, Matthews told reporters in Kansas City following the Green Bay Packers preseason game Thursday night against the Chiefs, a 17-7 loss.Both maintained their innocence from the start when they were linked to PEDs by an Al-Jazeera America report in December, but they (along with Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison) werent cleared until Wednesday?-- a week after they finally agreed to sit down with league investigators.They agreed to talk after the NFL said the players could face a suspension if they didnt cooperate by Aug. 25.Peppers said he wouldve liked the situation to have been resolved sooner.I feel like we all couldve handled the situation a little differently to get better results, [but] Im pleased with how it turned out, Peppers said. Thats pretty much it.Matthews said he was never worried about being suspended until the league gave them a deadline to talk, but he is still bothered that he had to answer to what he called ridiculous allegations.Whos to say that somebody can just come out and say anything and next thing you know youre sitting down for something thats absolutely ridiculous, as it was in this case, Matthews said. Like I said, I maintained my innocence. I really had nothing to worry about until those ultimatums were put in place, and at that point, we sat down for the interviews and were ultimately cleared.When asked whether he made the decision to be interviewed by the league on his own or if the NFL Players Association told him to do it, Peppers said: It was a process.There was a lot of back-and-forth for months, Peppers said. We communicated with the PA back and forth about how to best handle it, so I think last week we came to a decision that we needed to just go ahead and do it and hopefully get it resolved, and thats what happened. LeVeon Bell Jersey . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Wayne Chrebet Jersey . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Robby-Anderson-Jersey/ .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. Quinnen Williams Jets Jersey . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Wayne Chrebet Youth Jersey . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. Kristaps Porzingis has become a matchup problem in just his second season with the New York Knicks.The 7-3 Porzingis is listed as a power forward, but with his ability to hit mid to long-range jumpers, score on tip-ins and dunks and run the floor like a gazelle, he has created headaches for opposing coaches and their players.The Atlanta Hawks (9-3) will attempt to slow down Porzingis and the Knicks (5-7) Sunday at Madison Square Garden.Porzingis is averaging 20.8 points and 6.8 rebounds. Hes shooting 49 percent from the field, including 40 percent from 3-point range. In a 105-102 win over Detroit on Wednesday, Porzingis scored a career-high 35 points.Porzingis, who finished second to Karl-Anthony Towns for Rookie of the Year last season, is earning praise from coaches around the league.Hes (Porzingis) definitely going to be one of the best players in the league very soon, Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks told the New York Post. He can score (from) so many spots on the floor. For a guy whos 7-3, puts it on the floor, left, right, mid-range game, step back 3s, gets lobs, offensive rebounds.Hes a great player now. Hes definitely on his way to being an All-Star. Its pretty remarkable to improve so quickly, he said. Hes got point-guard moves. Hes even got a crossover (dribble).On Friday, Porzingis announced he will donate $500 for each of his blocked shots for the rest of the season to the RENS, a New York-area, not-for-profit youth basketball program. Hes averaging 1.2 blocks.The Hawks are one of the early season surprises. Led by power forward Paul Millsap (17.3 ppg, 8 rpg), Atlanta is second in the Eastern Conference annd leads the league in turnovers forced (17.dddddddddddd6 per game) and ranks second in field-goal percentage (48.0), assists (26.2) and steals (10.2).Dwight Howard has resurrected his career in Atlanta after several pedestrian seasons with the Houston Rockets and one year with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 31-year-old center is fourth in the league in field-goal percentage (.606) and third in rebounding (12.9).The Hawks could be without guard Thabo Sefolosha, who has missed the last two games with a knee sprain. The pesky Sefolosha is third in the league in steals (2.60). Former Knick Tim Hardaway Jr. should get most of those minutes if Sefolosha is a no-go.Center Tiago Splitters return from a Grade 2 hamstring strain that has forced him to miss the start of the season is uncertain.Atlanta is coming off a 100-96 loss to Charlotte on Friday in which they squandered a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. Charlotte took control of the game after Howard was ejected for a flagrant 2 foul with 5:38 remaining and the Hawks leading 89-86. He landed a hard elbow to the jaw of Cody Zeller as the two were battling for rebound position. From there, the Hornets scored nine straight points.That was a momentum shift right there, Millsap said. It just completely turned the game around. They took that and fueled it to the fire, the crowd gets into it and theyre at home. What can you say?Howard insisted the foul was not intentional. Thats basketball, he said.Atlanta plays six of its next seven games on the road. ' ' '