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to yall," defensive tackle Darnell Dockett said in a tweet. Keim said "our hope is that this suspension will give Daryl the opportunity to accept t
BOSTON -- After one of the best programs of a career that already includes three national titles, Jeremy Abbott nearly did a pratfall. He would have been entitled following a spotless performance highlighted by three picture-perfect jumps, smooth spins and almost celebratory footwork in a short program victory Friday night at the U.S. Championships. Coming out of his final move, his excitement overtook him and Abbott lost his balance. And when he saw his U.S. record points total, 99.86, a look of amazement dominated the 28-year-old veterans face. "I went through all my history here," Abbott said. "I tried to live all of it but stay in the moment and just enjoy what I was doing, each crossover, each step. I really did that. This is a night Im never going to forget." Abbott has built a reputation as a strong domestic skater, winning nationals in 2009, 2010 and 2012. Yes, he was the top dog from the United States heading into the Vancouver Games, where countryman Evan Lysacek won gold while Abbott finished ninth. That was one of many disappointments on the international stage for Abbott, including an eighth and two 11th-place showings at worlds. He failed to make the U.S. team for worlds last year. With another routine like his short program here, though, hell be Americas No. 1 contender at the Sochi Olympics. "I have a toe maybe over the threshold of the jetway," Abbott said. Hes competing at his final national championships. "I wanted to take in all the energy and all the excitement and just really live in it, because its never happening again," Abbott said. Abbott held the previous U.S. mark for a short program, 90.23 at the 2012 nationals. He shattered that, building a lead of 7.82 points over Richard Dornbush. Jason Brown was third heading into Sundays free skate. Dornbush, 22, has struggled since coming in second at 2011 nationals and didnt even compete in the Grand Prix series this season. But he was spectacular from the get-go Friday night, landing a perfect quad and triple axel that had the fans entranced. By the time his 2 1/2-minute program was done, the crowd was on its feet, Dornbush was on his knees throwing an imaginary punch through the air and celebrating a career best. "Im not sure any thoughts went through my head," he said. "I was pretty excited, pretty pumped." And he was only the second skater of the night. "I always seem to be early, so maybe I was in my comfort zone," he said. So was Brown in a smokin skate to Princes "The Question of U" -- he even wore a black and purple costume embellished with rhinestones around his neck, and down his back and side, plus Princes "love symbol" on the back. He nailed a triple axel and a triple flip-triple toe loop with gorgeous flow to open the program. He added a lutz with both hands above his head, footwork that meshed with every element and with every nuance of the music, and speedy spins that had the crowd roaring. "Everyone has such a good chance to make the team," said Brown, who just turned 19. "It really pushes all of us to work as hard as you can." Defending champion Max Aaron was fourth, one of five skaters to land a clean quad. "Im looking forward to everyone skating well," Aaron said of the free skate, which he won in 2013. "I want to send the best men, and thats what Im here for." Earlier, Meryl Davis and Charlie White danced within range of their sixth straight U.S. title by romping in the short dance. Indeed, the current world champions and 2010 Olympic silver medallists could have danced all night and never been caught. Skating to selections from "My Fair Lady," Davis and White broke their own record with 80.69 points to build more than a seven-point lead on Madison Chock and Evan Bates. Siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani were third; three teams will go to Sochi. "This is the first time we felt comfortable enough to let things happen naturally," Davis said. "This is the fifth time were competing the program. With this program, its all about being comfortable enough to let things happen naturally, and when you reach a point where it can be just fun, thats what we really enjoy about skating." Coach Marina Zoueva had wanted them to skate to this music for several years. "As we have grown with the program, we fell in love with the program and what it means ... that exuberant joy," Davis said. Chock and Bates posted a career-high 73.41. Chock fell in practice Wednesday, crashing hard into the boards, but said she was fine other than a little soreness in her shoulders. She even joked that the boards took the biggest hit. The free dance is Saturday. 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Thats actually rather impossible given the behind-the-scenes access to the Toronto Maple Leafs the network is getting.PHOENIX -- The NFL has suspended Arizona Cardinals standout inside linebacker Daryl Washington for one year for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. The punishment, announced Friday, was for substance abuse and did not mention his recent guilty plea to assaulting his ex-girlfriend. He still could face a later suspension for the criminal conviction. Washington, in a statement released by his agent, said the penalty was for marijuana, and that he takes responsibility for the violation. He said he "is committed to making changes" in his life that will allow him to return to the NFL. Considered among the best in the NFL at his position, Washington was suspended the first four games of last season for violating the substance abuse policy. "It is completely unacceptable that Daryl has once again put us in this position," Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said in a statement released by the team. "We all know what the consequences are and will deal with them." Washington, the team leader in tackles in 2011 and 2012, will lose $2.9 million in salary, plus any prorated signing bonus money, due to the suspension. In March, Arizona exercised a $10 million option to keep him on the roster. Washington received $5 million then and the deals calls for him to get the other $5 million next March. However, the leagues collective bargaining agreement with players has a mechanism that allows the Cardinals to recoup a portion of that option money because of the substance abuse violation. Washington said the NFL "policy is very strict, and I have chosen to take responsibility." "I will work extremely hard to stay in top football shape," he said, "and will work equally hard to ensure that my life off the field meets the high level of maturity and responsibility to which I am committed." With the loss of inside linebacker Karlos Dansby to free agency, the Cardinals find themselves without the dynamic combination that was a big part of their strong defence last season. Second-year player Kevin Minter is slotted to take Dansbys place. Just what the team willl do to try to replace Washington is unclear.dddddddddddd "Our approach is the same as its always been: next man up," Keim said. "We talk a lot about how critical depth is to a team because situations always arise whether by injury or other circumstances such as this one." After leading the team with 111 tackles in his second NFL season, Washington signed a six-year contract, adding four years and $32 million to his existing deal. In 2012, he led the team with career highs of 140 tackles and nine sacks and made the Pro Bowl. But in April of last year, the NFL suspended him four games for violating the substance abuse policy. A month later, he was arrested on accusations of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, the mother of the couples child. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault earlier this year. A suspension for the criminal conviction had been expected. The penalty for substance abuse came as a surprise to some, but apparently not to Washingtons teammates. "Old news to us, new news to yall," defensive tackle Darnell Dockett said in a tweet. Keim said "our hope is that this suspension will give Daryl the opportunity to accept the necessary help and guidance to get his life back on track," Keim said, "and we will certainly support him however we can." When OTAs resumed this week, coach Bruce Arians said he hoped the team could pick up another outside linebacker. The Cardinals signed veteran Larry Foote in the off-season, and outside linebacker Lorenzo Washington also can play inside. Minter, a second-round draft pick, played almost entirely on special teams as a rookie. Another player Arizona has at inside linebacker is Kenny Demens, an undrafted rookie free agent a year ago who spent last season on the Cardinals practice squad. "I sincerely apologize for the effect of my actions on my teammates, coaches and other colleagues at the Cardinals," Washington said. "I also apologize to Cardinals fans for the time I will miss. I will work diligently during this suspension to return as a better man and football player." ' ' '