Mike Harris

HARRIS: Brandon Meriweather about to hit his limit

A suspension seems like the only way to get the message across, though frankly one has to wonder if the message will ever get across at this point.

October 20, 2013

Capitals don’t try to hide from the truth after shutout at the hands of the Rangers

Say one thing for the Capitals as they continue to struggle at the start of the season: They are a perceptive bunch. They know the product they're putting on the ice right now is substandard.

October 16, 2013

HARRIS: By raising Redskins’ standards, Mike Shanahan has earned a measure of patience

Oddly, the angst over the Redskins' current situation provides one small supporting argument for why the team should stick with Shanahan. For most of the seasons between the end of the first Joe Gibbs regime and Shanahan's arrival, something like 1-4 would be the norm.

October 16, 2013

Capitals newcomer Nate Schmidt soaks up Steve Oleksy’s lessons

When Schmidt signed with the Capitals last season and was sent to Hershey of the AHL, Oleksy provided something that really helped Schmidt out. When Schmidt was recalled by the Caps last week, Oleksy was there to help again.

October 15, 2013

HARRIS: Cal Ripken Jr. would bring buzz as manager, but Nats need substance

As incredibly cool as it would be to have an icon like Ripken as the manager of the Nats, it is not a good idea. Not now anyway.

October 13, 2013

HARRIS: Capitals have some problems, but Tom Wilson isn’t one

One thing the Caps don't have to do is wonder if they made the right decision to keep 19-year-old Tom Wilson on their roster. A small sample size to be sure with only four games, but Wilson is giving them their money's worth so far.

October 11, 2013

HARRIS: Wizards overdue to break Curse of the Mailman

In 1985, Washington had the 12th pick in the draft. A kid out of Louisiana Tech was drawing a lot of attention. His name was Karl Malone, soon to become Karl "the Mailman" Malone. He was seen as a perfect fit for the Bullets. So their turn came and the Bullets stepped up — and drafted Kenny Green out of Wake Forest.

October 9, 2013

Capitals have candidates for breakout year in Fehr, Brouwer, Johansson

No matter how you define them, every team needs a few players to have breakout years if it is to reach or exceed whatever expections it has. To burst through that ceiling, several Caps need to burst through theirs. Candidates are many. One on each of the top three forward lines stands out.

October 8, 2013

Stellar relief: Michal Neuvirth stands out as Capitals rally past Flames in home opener

The Caps would be heading to Dallas with an 0-2 mark if not for the work Michal Neuvirth did after coach Adam Oates decided to pull Braden Holtby 16:22 into the game with the Caps already down 3-0.

October 3, 2013

HARRIS: In a Cup ceremony that runneth over, motivation for the Caps

Let's hope every player, coach, trainer, executive, equipment manager and anyone else associated with the Caps thought over and over and over again, "How cool would it be to do this at Verizon Center next year? We have to make this happen." Yes, they do.

October 2, 2013

For better or worse, Mikhail Grabovski brings emotional game to Caps

The Capitals are banking on the newcomer being a sparkplug as they open the 2013-14 season Tuesday night in Chicago against the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks. Grabovski will anchor a line that will include wingers Troy Brouwer and Brooks Laich.

September 30, 2013

HARRIS: More and more, I’m liking Randy Knorr as Nats’ next manager

The Nats figure to be a contender again next season. The right manager can lead them back to the playoffs. The wrong manager? He can make a mess out of a team that needs to come back strong from this disappointing season. This team can win and it needs to do it next year.

September 25, 2013

After forgettable season, Caps’ Jason Chimera feeling young again

"I'd like to throw the regular season out and think of it as scoring 20 goals last year," Chimera said with a smile. "I've played pretty consistent over my career. Guys have down years, so hopefully that was my down year and it's out of the way."

September 24, 2013

HARRIS: Keep whistling, Redskins fans — it could be worse

So what if RG3 didn't hold onto the ball as he face-planted at the end of a long run in the fourth quarter in the 27-20 loss to the Lions on Sunday? That he went down, on his own, is encouraging.

September 23, 2013

HARRIS: After early highlights, Redskins’ defense falls apart again

In three games, Washington has given up 1,464 total yards and 1,068 passing yards. Ouch. The defense is far from the Redskins' only problem, but fixing it probably belongs atop the to-do list.

September 22, 2013

Tom Wilson continues to force the Capitals into a difficult decision

Sometime over the next 10 days, before they open their season against the Blackhawks in Chicago, the Caps have some things to figure out in regard to Tom Wilson.

September 20, 2013

HARRIS: Games won’t solve problems, but they have their place after tragedies

Sports can't fix anything. They won't bring back those we've lost. They won't keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people. It would be marvelous if they could prevent another tragedy. They can't. But sports can help us feel better.

September 17, 2013

Nationals players wear Navy hats for game against Atlanta Braves

The Washington Nationals got back to baseball on Tuesday, with a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves scheduled after Monday's game was postponed.

September 17, 2013

‘Fun game’ has disappointing result for Nationals

Earlier in the season, the 5-4 loss to the Phillies could have been chalked up as a competitive, interesting game that just happened to go the other team's way. It happens a lot over the course of a long season. But now? There's no room for such games, even as well as the Nats have been playing lately

September 15, 2013

As Capitals camp begins, Brooks Laich deals with another injury

Laich is dealing with a problem in his left hip that first flared up a week ago when he skated at Kettler Iceplex after returning from his offseason home in Saskatchewan. He calls himself day-to-day.

September 12, 2013