Mike Harris
Articles by Mike Harris
Few questions for Capitals as training camp begins
A year ago, thanks to the lockout-condensed NHL season, the Capitals had played seven regular-season games by the time 18 days had passed from the opening of training camp. Published September 11, 2013
HARRIS: Redskins can absorb opening loss, but Packers game looms large
Since 1990, a total of 190 teams have had 0-2 starts. Of those, 22 went on and qualified for the playoffs. That's only 11.5 percent over almost a quarter century. Published September 10, 2013
HARRIS: Game plan for Redskins defense seemed to involve a lot of guesswork
The Eagles under first-year coach Chip Kelly came into FedEx Field on Monday night and made the Redskins look silly for most of the first half. There's no other way to say it, no way to be nice, no way to soften the blow. The 33-27 final is misleading. The Eagles were up 26-7 and had 322 yards at halftime. Published September 10, 2013
Caps prospect Nathan Walker hopes to put Australia on hockey map
An undrafted free agent, Walker probably has more work to do than most, but Caps coach Adam Oates has taken notice of the 19-year-old from Sydney. Published September 5, 2013
REDSKINS 2013: Will Montgomery proves perseverance still matters
In a career that has taken him from Centreville High to Virginia Tech to a trio of NFL teams, Redskins center Will Montgomery has had a lot of teammates and coaches. All of them, he said, provided him with a chance to learn something. Published September 5, 2013
REDSKINS 2013: HARRIS: Poised to rewrite history in post-Joe Gibbs era
The Redskins' history can be summed up simply: A lot of mediocrity with one pretty good stretch and one really good stretch. Those two stretches were a long time ago. A generation has grown up without being able to remember when the Skins were one of the NFL's dominant teams nearly every year. Are the Redskins moving in that direction again? Published September 5, 2013
REDSKINS 2013: Ryan Kerrigan a mainstay after two NFL seasons
In just two seasons, outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan has become entrenched with the Redskins. He's started every game. He's amassed 16 sacks, intercepted two passes, scored two touchdowns. It took him about no time to become a vital cog. Published September 5, 2013
HARRIS: Can D.C. area give non-Redskins football the old college try?
As has been noted a couple of million times before, this area has changed quite a bit over the years. I grew up here, then left for college in 1974 and didn't return to stay until 2011. Yeah, things have changed. Published September 3, 2013
HARRIS: Nationals inch back toward relevance heading into home stretch
As Jayson Werth told the media after Wednesday's victory, "We've got a heartbeat." Werth, in addition to being an excellent baseball player, is a pretty wise man and a bit of a sage. Yes, the Nats do have a heartbeat. Published August 29, 2013
HARRIS: Debate over Redskins’ No. 3 QB? Real games can’t come soon enough
Seriously? This team must be in great shape if so much energy is being spent debating the merits of the candidates for the No. 3 quarterback slot. No matter which way you lean (and the choice here is Grossman), one thing is certain: It doesn't matter. Published August 27, 2013
Caps’ John Carlson gunning for spot on U.S. Olympic team
Capitals defenseman John Carlson, 23, who scored the game-winner in the gold medal game at the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, is among 48 players working out this week for USA Hockey officials at the Capitals' training complex. Published August 26, 2013
Redskins see Darryl Tapp as stand-up guy to bolster defense
With the season-opener 17 days away, against Tapp's previous team, it is fair to say the transition is going well. Tapp has found being an outside linebacker in a 3-4 is very similar to being an end in a 4-3. Published August 22, 2013
HARRIS: Warm up Hot Stove now for Nationals’ offseason decisions
One bonus to your town's baseball team being in the dumper by the middle of August is there's no need to wait for winter to get the Hot Stove League started. Why wait for those pesky playoffs to end? Let's do it now. Published August 21, 2013
HARRIS: Bacarri Rambo, David Amerson give Redskins’ defense reason to be excited
For the defense to make another step forward, Amerson and Rambo are going to have to play big parts. Maybe not Griffin/Morris-level parts, but not far from that. Published August 15, 2013
As Nationals struggle, Dan Haren, Denard Span wonder: Is it them?
"I've had some discussion about that with Dan," Span said. "I take responsibility for not playing as well as I can play and I think Dan has done the same thing. It's just not a good feeling coming into a new team and you want to impress, and just not being able to do what you know what you're capable of doing." Published August 14, 2013
HARRIS: RG3’s candor appreciated, but Mike Shanahan’s approach is best
Dear RG3, we like it that you say what's on your mind and you do so diplomatically. You aren't a clod about it. Please don't lose that trait. Just cool it for the rest of this preseason. Published August 13, 2013
HARRIS: With playoffs now a pipe dream, Nationals should make some changes
Early in Wednesday's broadcast of the Nationals' latest loss to the Braves, color man F.P. Santangelo made a point. It wasn't about the division or the playoffs anymore. It was about showing a little heart, about not letting a team come in and sweep you at home. Published August 8, 2013
HARRIS: Redskins camp makes Richmond major league, if only for 3 weeks
Having the Redskins training camp in town is a big deal. That makes Richmond a big deal, which is something it has sought to become for a long time. Published July 25, 2013
HARRIS: As RG3 heals, London Fletcher remains model of durability
Fletcher is preparing for his 16th NFL season. The next game he misses will be the first. Think about that — 240 games, at linebacker, where there is contact almost every play. And he's never missed a game. Published July 24, 2013
HARRIS: Is Davey Johnson-Mike Rizzo relationship on rocks?
They're proud, accomplished men. They worked together to build a World Series contender. It isn't working this year. Have they reached some kind of untenable spot in their relationship? Published July 23, 2013