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Belichick vs Shanahan as Patriots visit Redskins

By WTOP Staff

By JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) – As he recharged his batteries during his year off after getting fired by the Denver Broncos, Mike Shanahan made the rounds to watch a few NFL training camp practices, seeing what he could pick up as he waited for his next job.

One destination was definitely on the itinerary: the New England Patriots, coached by old friend and rival Bill Belichick.

“We know what type of people that we try to get on our football team, what’s your makeup going to be, and so I’ve watched him through the years. I know that he’s watched me,” Shanahan said. “It’s been fun to talk about over a couple beers or dinner, something like that.”

Shanahan spent a day-and-a-half with the Patriots during that 2009 camp, taking in three practices.

“It’s certainly nice when you’re not butting heads against each other, it’s a lot easier to have conversations and try to help each other out,” Belichick said. “I mean, I have so much respect for Mike and what he’s done, the way he goes about his job, the way he coaches his team and the accomplishments that he’s had as a coach throughout his exceptional career. He’s one of the people that I respect the most in the NFL.”

Belichick has won three Super Bowls titles, Shanahan has two. They are no-nonsense coaches who have reputations as control freaks with little tolerance for foolishness or dissention, and they face each other Sunday when the Patriots (9-3) visit Shanahan’s latest employer, the Washington Redskins (4-8).

“They both want the best out of their players, and they put you in situations where you can be successful,” said Redskins receiver Jabar Gaffney, who played for Belichick’s Patriots from 2006-08. “Obviously, they’ve both won championships and they both know what they’re talking about.”

That said, they are not coaching clones.

“There’s only one Belichick,” Gaffney said. “There’s definitely only one Bill, and the way he goes about his preparation and getting his team prepared is unparalleled.”

It’s been a while since either coach won the big one. Belichick’s last title came at the end of the 2004 season, while the second of Shanahan’s back-to-back championships came in 1998. But while the Patriots have remained a perennial powerhouse under Belichick – this is their 11th straight winning season – Shanahan sputtered in his later years with the Broncos and is struggling to get the long-suffering Redskins headed in the right direction.

This year has been especially bizarre for both coaches. Belichick is the guru of defense, yet New England is ranked last in the NFL in yards allowed. It’s been the offense led by Tom Brady and the seemingly unstoppable pass-catching duo of Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker that have overwhelmingly carried the Patriots to the brink of another AFC East crown, which they will clinch with a win and a loss by the New York Jets to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Just last week, the Patriots allowed Dan Orlovsky to pass for 353 yards for the winless Indianapolis Colts, whose fourth-quarter comeback made New England’s 31-24 victory closer than expected. Injuries and poor play have forced Belichick into some unusual lineups, including a start at safety last week for wide receiver Matthew Slater.

Shanahan, meanwhile, is supposed to be the offensive genius, but the Redskins ranked 20th in yards gained and 31st in rushing. Injuries and substandard performance have likewise played a part – as well as the coach’s miscalculation of what he had at quarterback – but now he must also deal with the loss of two of his most talented players. Tight end Fred Davis and left tackle Trent Williams were suspended Tuesday for the rest of the regular season after failing multiple drug tests.

Shanahan holds a 5-3 edge in head-to-head meetings against Belichick – all coming in Broncos-Patriots games – but it’s hard to brag when the Redskins have won only four games all season and have dropped seven of their last eight.

“With four wins,” Shanahan said with a smile, “I’m not in a position to talk a whole lot about what we’ve done in the past.”

—
Joseph White can be reached at http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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