Brian McNally

Redskins wide receiver Josh Morgan rebounds from benching

It was a comeback performance lost in another galling defeat. Redskins wide receiver Josh Morgan rebounded from being benched last week against the Philadelphia Eagles with a season-high five receptions for 45 yards. But it was tough to enjoy it after a humbling 27-6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night at FedEx Field.

November 26, 2013

A tough assignment, a difficult night for Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson

There was nowhere for Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson to hide. Assigned for much of the night to cover San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who has four inches and 30 pounds on him, Wilson was beaten on consecutive plays in the first quarter, the second a 19-yard touchdown pass to Boldin. Early in the second quarter, tight end Vernon Davis also beat Wilson for a 40-yard catch. That play led to a field goal and a 10-0 lead for the 49ers. They were well on the way to an easy 27-6 victory over Washington at FedEx Field.

November 26, 2013

Beat the Mets: Caps’ new division an early disappointment

Almost a quarter of the way through the 2013-14 season, things haven't worked out as expected. Most of the teams in the new eight-team Metropolitan Division have spent the first seven weeks of the season floundering.

November 21, 2013

Caps with an early letdown against Pittsburgh

Division rivals again for the first time in 20 years, the Penguins dominated the Capitals to retain first place in the new Metropolitan Division. Sidney Crosby and James Neal score for Pittsburgh, which allowed just 18 shots on goal.

November 20, 2013

RG3’s leadership the talk of Redskins locker room

"You don't say anything to the guys when it comes to that [leadership]," Griffin said. "The second you start changing and letting what outside people say affect what you do is the time that guys start to not believe in you. So you don't do that. You go out to practice every day ready to work."

November 20, 2013

Caps-Penguins set to renew their acquaintances as division rivals again

Washington and Pittsburgh resume their rivalry on Wednesday night at Verizon Center with first place on the line in the new Metropolitan Division. With the NHL moving back to a four-division setup, the two teams find themselves in the same division for the first time since the 1992-93 season.

November 19, 2013

Mike Shanahan: Redskins must maintain self-belief

At 3-7 after a 24-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and in danger of missing the playoffs for the third time in four seasons, Shanahan and his staff are tasked with keeping their players in a positive frame of mind while negativity swirls around them.

November 18, 2013

Redskins mount a comeback that ends in a turnover, more frustration

Once again the Washington Redskins dug themselves a hole that they could not escape. They came close on Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. But a fourth-quarter rally ended in the arms of Eagles cornerback Brandon Boykin in the Philadelphia end zone.

November 17, 2013

Redskins notes: Trent Williams claims umpire cursed at him during game

The Washington Redskins were only whistled for four penalties in Sunday's crippling 24-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. But offensive lineman Trent Williams accused umpire Roy Ellison of cursing him late in the first half.

November 17, 2013

Redskins will see different Nick Foles than last year’s model

The first drive of his professional career, as a fill-in last Nov. 28 at FedEx Field against the Redskins, ended with an interception. His second was another interception thrown into double coverage. But the quarterback the Redskins saw then and the one they will see this weekend in Philadelphia no longer resemble each other.

November 14, 2013

Rookies in the dugout: Experience no longer mandatory for MLB managers

When the Washington Nationals tabbed Matt Williams as their new manager earlier this month, the club joined a growing trend among Major League Baseball teams: Hiring someone with extremely limited or no managerial experience at any level to run a team.

November 12, 2013

Redskins RB Alfred Morris has best game of year in loss

For the second time in three weeks, the Washington Redskins' offense was cruising with running back Alfred Morris doing much of the heavy lifting. Morris topped 100 rushing yards for the third time this season, but it wasn't enough in a crushing 34-27 loss at woeful Minnesota, which had won just one game entering Thursday's contest.

November 8, 2013

Redskins notes: The fake punt that wasn’t

Niles Paul never saw the signal. Or maybe he just didn't believe it. It was tough to tell who knew what in the chaos of a fake punt that failed late in the third quarter of a 34-27 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

November 8, 2013

Tom Wilson rewards Caps’ patience with first NHL points

The Caps could have returned Wilson to the Plymouth Whalers, his junior hockey team, after nine games. But despite zero production they stuck with him and almost certainly will for the duration of the season.

November 6, 2013

After a brief injury hiatus, Alex Ovechkin returns to lift Caps to win

Alex Ovechkin's teammates did just fine without their star right wing. But after sitting out for two games with a shoulder injury, he wanted in on the fun, too. Ovechkin scored two goals on Tuesday night against the New York Islanders and the Capitals cruised to a 6-2 victory at Verizon Center.

November 5, 2013

Redskins’ running game finally gets rolling behind Alfred Morris, Darrel Young

"We know the type of offense that we are. We haven't been showing it all year, but we are a high-powered offense like we were last year," Morris said. "Sometimes, we don't get it done the way we should get it done. Whether it's penalties, whether it's mistakes, whether it's a lack of execution — whatever it is, that's the type of offense we are."

November 4, 2013

Nationals’ players will know exactly where they stand with Matt Williams

The new manager of the Washington Nationals, hired just last week, was a third-base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks when Wilson Ramos, now Williams' catcher, took his time trotting around the bases after a home run in a game in Phoenix more than two years ago. The fiery side of Williams erupted.

November 3, 2013

Garcon has his hands all over Redskins’ victory

One week after expressing frustration about his team's struggles in the passing game, Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon had a career day in a victory over the San Diego Chargers.

November 3, 2013

Redskins notes: Fullback Young enjoys the game of his life with three touchdowns

It was the game of Darrel Young's life. The genial fullback doesn't get much attention. The Redskins have so many other options at the skill positions, after all. But on Sunday afternoon against the San Diego Chargers, Young made a difference in a 30-24 overtime victory at FedEx Field.

November 3, 2013

Matt Williams brings intensity to his new job as Nationals manager

Matt Williams was a player for 17 years with three different teams and reached a World Series with all of them, winning one. He was a high draft pick, No. 3 overall in 1986. He has served as a broadcaster and, for the past four seasons, as a coach with the Arizona Diamondbacks. What he has not actually done is managed, a qualification that didn't deter Washington general manager Mike Rizzo from hiring him.

October 31, 2013