Want to believe in Nats? Permission granted.

(Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post)

OPINION | There are times to be sensible and, once every few generations, times to scream until you pop a vocal cord. Frankly, this situation calls for the latter.

Cooley still has much to prove

Cooley still has much to prove

A year after an injury-riddled season, Redskins tight end Chris Cooley is out to show that he still has what it takes to be a productive veteran.

HANDOUT PHOTO:  
Brad Larson (L) and Daniel Rodriguez (R) on Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistan (the location of the Battle of Kamdesh). 
(Courtesy of Brad Larson)

Overcoming battle scars

Daniel Rodriguez of Stafford, 24, suffered both physical and mental wounds as a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan. Now he’s pointed in a different direction on the Clemson football team.

Struggling United trades Cruz

Struggling United trades Cruz

D.C. United pulls off its second deal in eight days, acquiring Colombian striker Lionard Pajoy from the Union for midfielder Danny Cruz.

D.C. Sports Bog &
The Early Lead

Morning pixels: RGIII could see 30-35 plays

We may see RGIII for an entire half against Chicago. ”

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Mathieu entered rehab after LSU dismissal

Tyrann Mathieu, LSU’s Honey Badger, is in a Houston rehab center and being mentored by John Lucas. Mathieu was kicked off the team last week.”

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 Cindy Boren

Lockers of Redskins who are not RGIII

We can’t show you what RGIII’s locker looks like, so here are the lockers of some defensive linemen.”

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 Dan Steinberg

Wizards’ Ariza wants handshake from Obama

Thanks to an ill-timed trade, Ariza missed out on his White House trip and hopes to make up for it. ”

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Sports photo galleries

Clemson’s Army of one

Brooke Point High alum Daniel Rodriguez is playing football at Clemson after he was decorated while serving for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

PHOTOS | The last time Washington was this good . . .

Nationals have had best record in baseball in August, starting to erase decades of mediocrity.

Olympic Closing Ceremonies

The ceremonies were a mix of the most beloved British pop.

U.S. men win gold in Olympic basketball

In a close game, the Americans beat Spain 107-100 on the final day of the Olympic games

Day 16 of the London Olympics

All the best action from Sunday in London.

Jamaicans win gold, Americans silver in the 4x100 relay

American women win gold in the 4x400 relay

PHOTOS | American Boudia wins diving gold

Platform diver David Boudia upsets the reigning world champion

PHOTOS | U.S. routs Argentina in semis

Advances to gold medal game against Spain on Sunday

Oussama Mellouli wins marathon swim

Tunisian takes gold, American Alex Meyer finishes 10th.

MLB power rankings

Dave Sheinin evaluates the best teams in Major League Baseball.

Olympics 2012: Moments that made history

Michael Phelps, Gabrielle Douglas, Usain Bolt — their stories become those of the London Games.

Sports videos

DeMatha impressive against Friendship

DeMatha impressive against Friendship

VIDEO | In a scrimmage with Friendship Collegiate, DeMatha comes away with a 14-7 victory.
Post Sports Live: RGIII impressions and Chicago game story lines

Post Sports Live: RGIII impressions and Chicago game story lines

The Post Sports Live crew talks about initial impressions from the Redskins’ 7-6 win over Buffalo and look ahead to Saturday night’s game in Chicago, with an eye on the patchwork offensive line and kicking competition.
Post Sports Live: What effect will the Strasburg shutdown have on the Nationals clubhouse?

Post Sports Live: What effect will the Strasburg shutdown have on the Nationals clubhouse?

The Post Sports Live crew talks about the effect Stephen Strasburg’s shutdown could have on the rest of the clubhouse down the stretch.
Post Sports Live: Strasburg nears shutdown, Redskins open strong

Post Sports Live: Strasburg nears shutdown, Redskins open strong

The Washington Post’s LaVar Arrington, Jason Reid, Dan Steinberg and Jonathan Forsythe discuss the Nationals’ recent offensive awakening, the pennant race without ace Stephen Strasburg, early impressions of Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III’s debut and what to watch for in Saturday night’s game in Chicago.
Ping pong center in Maryland trains junior Olympians

Ping pong center in Maryland trains junior Olympians

The Maryland Table Tennis Center is an academy where kids from around the world come to train, some with aspirations of playing in the Olympics.
London Olympics in two minutes

London Olympics in two minutes

VIDEO | The Washington Post looks back at some of the best moments from the 2012 Summer Games.
Good Counsel looks sharp in scrimmage against Eastern Christian Academy

Good Counsel looks sharp in scrimmage against Eastern Christian Academy

Defending WCAC champion Good Counsel Falcons looked efficient on both sides of the ball in the first scrimmage of the year.
Carmelita Jeter’s coach: She has a ‘hunger’ to be first

Carmelita Jeter’s coach: She has a ‘hunger’ to be first

Carmelita Jeter’s coach: She has a ‘hunger’ to be first
Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas on nerves and the ‘fierce five’

Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas on nerves and the ‘fierce five’

U.S women’s gymnastics team members Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas talk about being nervous, and their preference for being called “fierce five” instead of the “fab five.”
Carmelita Jeter’s coach: She is ‘confident’ about the 200M

Carmelita Jeter’s coach: She is ‘confident’ about the 200M

Carmelita Jeter’s coach: She is ‘confident’ about the 200M

Thomas Boswell

Thomas Boswell

Want to believe in Nats? Permission granted.

OPINION | There are times to be sensible and, once every few generations, times to scream until you pop a vocal cord. Frankly, this situation calls for the latter.

Thomas Boswell

Thomas Boswell

Debate obscures the real Nats

OPINION | The real story behind the Stephen Strasburg shutdown debate is that the Nationals’ succcess is now defined by their stubborn conviction.

Thomas Boswell

Thomas Boswell

Nats can take a punch

OPINION | The only way to learn to endure injuries, slumps and losses that defy belief is to experience them.

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John Feinstein

John Feinstein

Oates may be just the ticket

OPINION | New coach appears to have the temperament and credentials to revive Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals.

John Feinstein

John Feinstein

Issues to settle after missed opportunity

OPINION | There’s no shame in the way the Capitals ended the season, but there shouldn’t be any satisfaction, either.

John Feinstein

John Feinstein

What were Hokies thinking?

OPINION | AD says he wants a “Beamer in sneakers,” but he may have just given that guy the boot.

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Tracee Hamilton

Tracee Hamilton

Please stifle the Strasburg debates

OPINION | Any fan who feels tricked, lied to or misled by GM Mike Rizzo’s decision to limit the innings of the Nats’ ace isn’t paying attention.

Tracee Hamilton

Tracee Hamilton

The dishonor of the IOC

OPINION | Refusal to honor slain Israeli athletes during Opening Ceremonies is misguided and offensive.

Tracee Hamilton

Tracee Hamilton

NCAA’s surprising muscle

OPINION | Penalties to leave appropriate mark on Penn State’s football program.

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Sally Jenkins

Sally Jenkins

Flood that began as trickle

OPINION | Success of women as Olympians began years ago not with grand gestures but with small acts.

Sally Jenkins

Sally Jenkins

Diving into history

OPINION | American David Boudia pulls one of the most momentous upsets of the Olympics by becoming the first American man to win the 10-meter platform gold since Greg Louganis in 1988.

Sally Jenkins

Sally Jenkins

OPINION | Greatest Olympian? Try Jim Thorpe

OPINION | Usain Bolt is getting a lot of attention for his tremendous feats at the Olympics. But there’s more to greatness than sprinting.

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Jason Reid

Jason Reid

Edsall taking steps to right the ship

OPINION | Maryland football could be in store for another long year, but Coach Randy Edsall seems to have changed his ways for the better.

Jason Reid

Jason Reid

RGIII performs. What about the rest?

OPINION | RGIII enjoys a modestly successful evening, but question marks linger on offense.

Jason Reid

Jason Reid

NFL education about to pick up

OPINION | Don’t expect much from Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III in the preseason opener against Buffalo. It’s all one big learning experience. NFL preseason schedule

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Mike Wise

Mike Wise

An unforgettable Olympics

OPINION | For 17 days, athletes taught us about legacy, humor and courage.

Mike Wise

Mike Wise

Can America enjoy its No. 1 moment?

OPINION | How to celebrate winning the medal count at the Olympics, and how not to.

Mike Wise

Mike Wise

The Cold War, on the court

OPINION | Forty years ago, long before the Dream Team and LeBron, something happened on the Olympic basketball floor that still resonates: USA vs. USSR.

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Editor's Choice

‘Faster, Higher, Stronger.’

A closer examination of the first word in the Olympic motto.

2012 Spring All-Met

Honoring the area’s best in baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, golf, track & field, gymnastics, tennis and rowing.

The Big Story: Robert Griffin III

The man of the moment in D.C. has generated plenty of links in a short time, and you can find them here.