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NFL DRAFT: Patriots, Raiders make QB picks

By WTOP Staff

BARRY WILNER
AP Pro Football Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The only two quarterbacks chosen on the second day of the NFL draft Friday have a lot to emulate.

Derek Carr’s guiding light has been older brother David, the top overall pick in the 2002 draft. Jimmy Garoppolo’s favorite player has been Tom Brady, the 199th selection in 2000.

The problem for Carr, taken fourth in the second round by Oakland, is that David was only mediocre as a pro. The issue for Garoppolo, chosen 62nd overall by New England, is, well, can anyone really live up to Brady’s career?

“I learned everything that he did right and everything that he did wrong,” Derek Carr said of David, 11 years his elder. “He told me that if he could do anything, he hopes he made the path smoother for me as I transition into the NFL.”

The two were among dozens of picks made Friday as the NFL draft wrapped up Rounds 2 and 3 at Radio City Music Hall. The first day shattered all-time television viewership records and fed a roaring crowd, but the second day was more subdued.

Carr’s older brother, David, was the first player ever taken by the Houston Texans. Derek, who also went to Fresno State and, like his elder brother enters the league with a wife and child, went 36th overall.

Derek Carr must hope he gets better protection with the Raiders than David did with Houston. David Carr never reached the expectations of a No. 1 pick, in part because he was sacked so often during his time with the Texans.

Derek Carr rewrote the Bulldogs’ record book, throwing for more than 10,000 yards and 100 touchdown passes. He led Fresno State to consecutive Mountain West Conference titles in his final two seasons and passed for 5,082 yards and 50 touchdowns in 2013. He guided a spread offense that relied on his quick decision making, fast release and ability to move in the pocket. All in a season where his son was born with a serious problem with his intestines a month before he stepped on the field.

Oakland acquired veteran Matt Schaub to be its starter, but he will get a serious push from Carr.

“They want me to come in, work hard, compete,” Carr said. “Whenever I’m the quarterback, great. To me, it doesn’t matter what the situation is — if I’m a starter, if I’m a backup, there to learn.”

Garoppolo couldn’t have said it any better. The star on the FCS level at Eastern Illinois, which produced Tony Romo, went to New England near the end of the second round. Could he be the heir to Tom Brady?

“It’s a fun offense, lot of different variables. It’s an offense that fits me,”Garoppolo said. “This is a picture-perfect fit for me.”

“I feel good about it. Whether I was coming in as the starter or as the backup, I’m going to go in and approach it the same way. I’m going to go out there and try to get better each and every day. That’s what good football players do.”

In other picks Friday:

— The Texans selected UCLA guard Xavier Su’a-Filo, who joins the first overall pick, defensive disrupter Jadeveon Clowney of South Carolina, in Houston. The two of them can have fun colliding against each other in minicamps and training camp. The 6-foot-4, 307-pound Su’a-Filo, who went on a Mormon mission while in college, also has played tackle.

— The Cowboys took Boise State defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, who they hope will emulate their departed sacks leader with the same first name, DeMarcus Ware, now with Denver. “I’m my own Demarcus,” Lawrence said. “I don’t like to try to be nobody else. I’m going to be me, and I’m going to do it well.”

— Cleveland, more active than any team in the first round, added a protector for Johnny Manziel by grabbing guard Joel Bitonio of Nevada, who also can play tackle or center. The Browns caused the biggest stir on opening night when they traded up to No. 22 to get Johnny Football. Cleveland did not choose any receivers even though Josh Gordon is reportedly facing suspension by the NFL for violating the league’s drug policy again. Gordon was suspended for the first two games of 2013, but still led the league with 1,646 yards receiving in 14 games.

— After Washington selected Virginia tackle Morgan Moses, who was on hand at the draft, with the 66th pick, Moses joked: “I thought my phone was broken.” Several mock drafts had Moses going in the first round.

— It took 54 selections, a draft record, for a running back to go. Bishop Sankey of Washington was chosen by the Titans, who cut Chris Johnson this spring. Two more went in the next three selections: Jeremy Hill of LSU to Cincinnati, and Carlos Hyde of Ohio State to San Francisco. Heisman Trophy finalist Tre Mason went 75th overall to St. Louis.

— A total of 39 early entrants have been selected so far, 25 on Friday. Altogether, there were a record 102 early entrants this year. College powerhouses Oklahoma, Texas and Georgia did not have anyone chosen in the first three rounds.

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AP College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo and Sports Writers Simmi Buttar, Schuyler Dixon and Josh Dubow contributed to this story.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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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