Caps

For all the hysteria generated by climate-change deniers over how reducing greenhouse gas emissions would be disastrous for consumers and the economy, Maryland and the other eight states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative are demonstrating that it isn't. The decision announced today to lower the cap on carbon dioxide by nearly 45 percent in those states should send a clear message to Washington that cap-and-trade can work. Since 2009, Maryland has been part of the RGGI coalition that limits greenhouse gas emissions by coal-fired power plants.

A consortium of Northeastern states including Maryland has agreed to reset a power plant emissions cap to current levels and to tighten it annually starting in 2015, an action officials said would increase investment in energy efficiency and slightly raise electricity prices, besides cutting pollution. The change amounts to a 45 percent reduction in the cap's ceiling, which has far exceeded actual pollution levels because of improved energy efficiency, increased renewable power generation, mild weather and the slumping economy.

The Ravens might not have won Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday night without Jacoby Jones. The return specialist-wide receiver made the critical move on a last-minute 70-yard touchdown pass against the Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round that tied the game. And Sunday night, he accounted for two touchdowns, including a 108-yard kickoff return on the first play of the second half as the Ravens pulled out a 34-31 victory against the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedez-Benz Superdome to capture the franchise's second Super Bowl title.

It took until the fifth try and the eighth day of the season, but the Washington Capitals finally managed to put together a complete game under the guidance of first-year coach Adam Oates and come away with a victory. Fueled by contributions from every corner of the lineup, from Alex Ovechkin through to Joel Ward and John Erskine, Washington played a smart and aggressive brand of hockey to defeat the Buffalo Sabres, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at Verizon Center . It was the only reward the Capitals wanted after days of making gradual progress in getting up to speed with their new coach and new system.

The first game full of errors, poor defensive coverage and careless penalties could easily be shrugged off as growing pains for a team with a new coach and new system. Maybe even the second, too. But as the Washington Capitals foundered for a third straight game, stricken with a familiar brand of self-inflicted calamity, the question became not when they would put everything together but if. Undone once more by a plethora of untimely penalties, inept special teams play and a downright lack of cohesion, the Capitals lost, 4-1, to the Montreal Canadiens at Verizon Center on Thursday night, dropping to 0-3 on the year.

Outside linebacker Paul Kruger emerged as a dangerous pass rusher this season. Inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe tapped into his potential as a versatile three-down defender, proving capable of chasing down running backs or blitzing quarterbacks. Cornerback Cary Williams played well while guarding opponents' top receivers after Lardarius Webb tore his anterior cruciate ligament. Although all three young defenders are in their prime and pivotal to the Ravens' bid to win the Super Bowl heading into Sunday's AFC championship game against the New England Patriots, this could be their final game playing for the AFC North champions.

The applause echoed through the rafters and the sound of stomping feet rumbled across the aluminum bleachers as members of the Washington Capitals stepped onto the ice Sunday morning. As the players warmed up, the rows of fans who packed the seats and lined up three-deep behind the glass began a familiar serenade: "C-A-P-S! Caps! Caps! Caps!" Amid the celebration, Adam Oates smiled as he took to the ice to run his first official practice as a head coach. After waiting more than four months because of the NHL lockout and spending the past week watching his players work out without being able to instruct them, he was more than ready for the moment.

Capitals Report: Laich probably out for season opener Saturday     Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich missed the first formal practice under coach Adam Oates on Sunday, and it's likely he will miss the start of the start of the season as well, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie . Laich has been nursing an apparent groin injury, which he is believed to have suffered while playing in Switzerland during the lockout....

NHL Free-agent right wing Fehr returns to Caps     Eric Fehr is coming back to Washington. The Capitals have invited Fehr to training camp with the intention of signing him to a prorated one-year, $600,000 contract once he passes a physical, according to a team source. Fehr, 27, recorded 13 goals and 25 points in 21 games with HPK Hameenlinna in Finland's SM-Liiga during the lockout. The 6-foot-4, 212-pound right wing was a first-round draft pick by the Capitals in 2003 and played 230 games with Washington, recording 46 goals and 93 points, but was often sidelined by injuries to both shoulders.

In a playoff upset for the ages, the Ravens thrilled fans who had embraced their underdog status by defeating the Denver Broncos in double overtime Saturday on a lengthy field goal by their rookie kicker. The Ravens will move on to either Houston or Foxboro, Mass., for the AFC Championship Game next Sunday evening. And linebacker Ray Lewis, who plans to retire at the end of the season, will continue his 17-year career for at least another week. Ravens cornerback Corey Graham intercepted Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning late in the first overtime to set up the game-winning 47-yard field goal by Justin Tucker.