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Jags seek several starters in draft, just not a QB

By WTOP Staff

MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The rebuilding Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping to get several instant starters in the NFL draft.

They could be at just about any position — except quarterback.

Although owner Shad Khan said the team would draft as many as two signal callers, general manager Dave Caldwell made it clear that none of the quarterbacks in this year’s draft is ready to step in and play right away. Not even for Jacksonville, which already has made Chad Henne the starter for 2014.

“I think the majority of this (quarterback) class has a ways to go,” Caldwell said.

The Jaguars have the third overall pick in Thursday night’s first round — selecting in the top 10 for the seventh consecutive year — and 10 choices thereafter. With a roster still being overhauled after winning just six games over the last two seasons, Jacksonville would prefer to trade down from No. 3 and garner even more picks.

If not, the team likely will address an area of need, possibly selecting versatile Buffalo linebacker/defensive end Khalil Mack or dynamic Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins.

Jacksonville signed Seattle defensive ends Chris Clemons and Red Bryant in free agency, and re-signed defensive end Jason Babin, but all of them are at least 30 years old. Mack would fit perfectly in Jacksonville’s hybrid Leo position and give second-year head coach Gus Bradley a young pass rusher to potentially become the centerpiece of his defense.

Watkins would provide one of the league’s worst offenses a big-time playmaker and help offset the loss of suspended receiver Justin Blackmon. Caldwell said last week he would be surprised if Blackmon, suspended indefinitely for repeated violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy, played next season.

The Jaguars are likely to address the quarterback position in later rounds, possibly 39th overall.

Caldwell, Bradley and offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch had a private workout with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, opting to take a second look at Louisville’s star after his oft-criticized pro day.

“We just wanted to make sure on what we were seeing and compare that to tape,” Caldwell said. “His (pro day) was a very strict workout and wasn’t tailored to what our offense would be, so we did a workout similar to our offense.

“I don’t know many years where there’s a lot that come out and are definitely ready,” Caldwell said of the QBs. “Andrew Luck came out and he was ready. Matt Ryan, when Matt came up, he was truly ready and he proved he was. But to say we’re going to get this guy in and he’s going to be ready to go doesn’t happen that often.”

Aside from the quarterback quandary, here are five things to know about Jacksonville’s draft:

TRADE TALK: Caldwell said two teams have called to talk about potentially trading for the No. 3 pick. He declined to identify the teams, but said he’s more likely to find a trade partner if Houston and St. Louis pick from the top two spots. He didn’t rule out Jacksonville moving up, even in the first round. “If somebody we really want is there, we will go after him,” Caldwell said.

DRAFTING NEEDS: If any team could preach drafting “best player available” in every round, it would be Jacksonville, which has numerous holes. But Bradley acknowledges the draft is more about filling needs. “Is it really best available?” he said. “We say ‘best available,’ but is it? No, need obviously plays into it. I think it’s best available if someone’s there and it’s like, ‘Are you kidding me? He’s here?’ Then you have those conversations of, ‘We’ve got to take this guy.'”

OBVIOUS HOLES: There are at least two offensive positions the Jaguars are sure to draft, aside from quarterback: center and receiver. Veteran center Brad Meester retired after 14 years in Jacksonville, and the team doesn’t anticipate having Blackmon next season. Jacksonville signed Pro Bowl center Alex Mack to an offer sheet, but Cleveland matched the five-year, $42 million deal.

ANOTHER OT? After drafting Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel with the No. 2 overall pick last year, could Jacksonville go in the same direction? With Auburn’s Greg Robinson, Michigan’s Taylor Lewan and Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews all projected as top 10 picks, the Jaguars are at least trying to make it appear they are interested in adding another offensive tackle at No. 3. “That would be a big step for us in getting better on the offensive line,” Bradley said.

OFF THE BOARD: The Jaguars have taken 36 players off their draft board because of injury or character concerns.

___

Online:

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Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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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