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Woodson excited about veteran presence on Raiders

By WTOP Staff

JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Even at age 37, Charles Woodson is feeling a bit younger in his second season back with the Oakland Raiders.

That’s what bringing in so many other veterans who have Super Bowl experience like Woodson can do.

Woodson is part of a rebuilt defense in Oakland that includes newcomers like Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley, Antonio Smith, Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown, who all know what it takes to succeed in the NFL.

“I feel like I’m getting younger out there anyway. I feel good,” Woodson said. “Bringing in those guys brings in credibility. I look forward to playing with those guys this season.”

The injection of veteran leadership on a defense that allowed the second-most points per game (28.3) in franchise history in 2013 was part of a plan to end a run of 11 straight seasons without a playoff berth or winning record that started in Woodson’s first stint in Oakland.

Woodson said he has already seen the impact of the newcomers in improved communication and understanding of the defense during offseason workouts.

Adding veteran quarterback Matt Schaub to an improved defense gives the Raiders the tools they feel like they need to compete in the tough AFC West despite the low expectations outsiders have for the franchise.

“We’re trying to bust through the ceiling. I look at the team and I feel like I have what I need from a team standpoint to get all the way there,” Woodson said. “Now, does that happen? Nobody knows until that time comes, but we’ve got players in there. If we all focus in, all our goals at the end of the season will be there.”

The Raiders brought in most of those newcomers on defense before making the decision to bring back Woodson on another one-year deal. Woodson didn’t talk to other teams in the hope of returning to Oakland but acknowledged he wasn’t sure it would actually happen.

“I wanted to get something done right away,” he said. “Every team has priorities and I respect what they did in the offseason and the moves they made prior to me signing again. I was getting a little bit nervous sitting at home trying to figure out what was going to happen. The reality was if it didn’t happen here that could have been it.”

Woodson had mixed results in his first season back in Oakland after spending the previous seven seasons in Green Bay. He started all 16 games at free safety and almost never came off the field, but the Raiders stumbled to their second straight 4-12 record.

Woodson had 75 solo tackles, one interception, two sacks, three passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He returned one fumble for his 13th career defensive touchdown, tying the NFL record held by Darren Sharper and Rod Woodson.

But he spent most of the season lined up as a deep safety instead of roaming the field in different roles like he did in Green Bay. Part of that was because strong safety Tyvon Branch broke his ankle in the second week of the season and did not return.

“Any time you lose a player of Tyvon’s ability, it does hinder you in terms of what you can do,” coach Dennis Allen said. “We’re excited about having Wood back. I think he brings a lot back to the table. We’ve got a better feel for him, what he can really do well, and how we can put him in positions to make plays.”

NOTES: CB D.J. Hayden is out after injuring his right ankle in practice last week. He watched practice in a walking boot. … LB Kevin Burnett was on hand after missing last week’s practices but worked on the side because of an ankle injury. … DT Antonio Smith, RB Latavius Murray and OL Lucas Nix also were out injured. … Allen said the team is talking to Dallas about the possibility of holding joint practices at the Cowboys’ training camp facility in Oxnard. The Raiders last held joint practices with San Francisco in Napa in 2008-09.

___

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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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