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Browns’ Josh Gordon faces uncertain future

By WTOP Staff

TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — On any given day, Josh Gordon’s size, speed and agility separates him from others on the field. He’s that rare talent, the player everyone notices.

He’s standing out for another reason.

Gordon is awaiting another possible NFL suspension for reportedly failing a drug test, a violation that could cost the Pro Bowl wide receiver a full season. But while his future remains cloudy, Cleveland’s young star is doing all he can to improve his dazzling skills. After gliding over the middle on Tuesday, Gordon leaped to snag a pass before tucking the ball away and sprinting from a defender.

If he’s burdened, Gordon’s hiding it well.

“He’s showing up every day as the No. 1 receiver, he’s not showing up as a guy who’s uncertain about his future,” said wide receiver Nate Burleson. “That’s all he can do right now, is go to work as if he’s our No. 1 because he is.”

Arguably Cleveland’s best player, Gordon could be facing a lengthy suspension for marijuana use. The 23-year-old was suspended two games last season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy and still led the league in yards receiving.

The league has not commented on Gordon’s status. He complicated his situation last week when he was ticketed for speeding and a passenger in his car was cited for marijuana possession. Gordon is scheduled to appear in Berea Municipal Court on Wednesday.

Browns first-year coach Mike Pettine believes the uncertainty is weighing on Gordon. It has to be.

“I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t,” Pettine said. “It would be human nature.”

Gordon politely declined an interview request.

He entered the league with a history of substance-abuse issues. Gordon is known to have failed at least three drug tests in college, but the Browns were willing to overlook his past when they selected him in the second round of the supplemental draft in 2012.

His risky behavior has jeopardized his career, but the Browns insist they will stick by him.

Pettine acknowledged some frustration in not knowing Gordon’s status.

“Until we hear from the league, we’re going to be business as usual,” he said. “At this point, there is nothing to act on. Everyone can sense the frustration, and it’s a difficult thing. But until it happens, we have a plan in place for all eventualities but we’re still in a holding pattern.”

While the Browns wait, Pettine said Gordon has not let the uncertainty affect his performance.

“He comes out and works hard, puts in a day’s work, solid in the classroom,” Pettine said. “When he’s in the building, he’s been solid. It’s not the first guy in the league to be like that where when he’s in the building he’s great and has some issues, for whatever reason due to circumstances, when he’s out of the building. I’m not a stranger to situations like that.”

The Browns signed Burleson, a 12-year veteran, as a free agent to provide leadership to Cleveland’s group of young receivers. Burleson hasn’t spoken with Gordon specifically about his situation, but has been providing any support he can.

“I just do the same thing I was doing before the news came out,” Burleson said. “Help motivate him, him and the other guys. I’m here as a guy who, one, can show young guys how to be a professional athlete on and off the field and two, try to motivate them in different ways.

“He’s so gifted and so talented that it’s hard to coach greatness. It’s hard to motivate greatness.”

Burleson played with Randy Moss in Minnesota and Calvin Johnson in Detroit. He knows what a superstar wide receiver looks like and believes Gordon has what it takes to be one of the best. Like everyone associated with the Browns, Burleson is eager for a positive outcome for Gordon.

“That type of talent you want on the field, whether it’s at practice or game day,” Burleson. “You only get so many guys every few years that redefine the position and he’s one of those guys. He’s not your traditional receiver. There’s Calvin and there’s Randy, these guys were hit with that special stick and God blessed them with attributes you can only create in video games.

“For him to miss any time, it’s a loss for everybody in general, fans especially. The hope is that he’s on the field.”

Pettine believes the Browns have a good support system in place to help Gordon, and the league has been proactive in helping troubled players.

However, there’s a shared responsibility.

“There has to be a willingness on the other side,” he said. “Sometimes they get the message and it’s too late. In all my time in the league, there’s always going to be a handful of guys that just don’t get it.”

___

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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