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Broncos get injured players back on field

By WTOP Staff

ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Pro Football Writer

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Rahim Moore was so excited for the Denver Broncos’ first practice of the offseason — and his first in six months — that he sauntered out of the locker room with his jersey on backward.

So, he spun it around and it got stuck halfway with the sleeves in front and back and he found himself in an even bigger bind.

“I was just all over the place — I felt like I’d never done this before,” Moore said. “And then when I got out here, I felt like I’d never left.”

Moore hadn’t faced an offense since undergoing emergency surgery on his left leg last November.

He was one of several Broncos who had to watch the Super Bowl from the sideline and who returned to the football field for the AFC champs’ first 11-on-11 drills of the year Wednesday.

Joining him were fellow safety Quinton Carter, pass-rusher Von Miller (limited), defensive lineman Derek Wolfe and left tackle Ryan Clady.

Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. worked on the side with a strength and conditioning coach while his teammates enjoyed their first offense vs. defense practice since the lead-up to the Super Bowl on Feb. 2.

“I think a lot of guys have been excited for this day,” Peyton Manning said. “Finally get to put on jerseys and helmets and it’s great to see a lot of guys back out on the practice field, guys that were injured last year. …

“How much work these guys have put in from a rehab standpoint, to get back on the field I know was a monumental step for a number of guys, especially a guy like Ryan Clady.”

Manning has compared the return of his blindside protector, a perennial Pro Bowler who played just two games last season before sustaining a foot injury, to the signing of the league’s top free agent or top overall draft pick.

One of Denver’s marquee free agents, defensive end DeMarcus Ware, also is coming back from an injury-filled 2013 season, missing games for the first time in his career with a thigh injury and playing through a balky right elbow that required surgery in February just before the Dallas Cowboys released him.

“I’m not 100 percent, but in these types of practices, you don’t have to go 100 percent,” Ware said.

Although there was no live hitting, this was the first time Denver’s rebuilt defense and its refurbished offense squared off.

“Well, it’s real football,” coach John Fox said. “You get to practice against somebody. Offense and defense practice against each other. That’s really the first phase where that’s allowed by the (collective bargaining agreement). So, I just call it ‘real football.’ Back on the grass. I think they get excited and I know all the coaches get excited about it.”

Coaches cautioned players not to go all-out before they put on the pads for a minicamp next month. Several players across the league sustained season-ending injuries during OTAs this week, including Ware’s former teammate, linebacker Sean Lee, who tore a ligament in his left knee Tuesday.

“First of all, the players, we’re really concerned, especially the first meeting that we had here this morning, really thinking about our health and not trying to go as hard, not like you have pads on,” Ware said. “Really just taking care of each other but being able to get your mental reps in and still being able to be physical but having the right technique.”

Another of Denver’s big-time free agents, safety T.J. Ward, addressed the media for the first time since being charged with assault last week over an incident at a strip club in which he was seen on surveillance video throwing a glass mug at a female bartender on May 10.

“Any time there’s negativity, you know, about yourself, it’s a little embarrassing,” Ward said. … “But it’s all being resolved, and I’m looking forward to just moving forward and continuing with the OTAs.”

Nobody seemed happier to get back to the business of football than Moore, who underwent emergency surgery Nov. 18 to relieve pressure in the muscle sheath in his lower left leg, a rare condition known as lateral compartment syndrome that can cost patients a limb or even their life.

“I feel like it was my first time ever playing football,” Moore said. “I got a little teary eyed during warm-ups.”

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

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Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton

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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