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NFL preseason watch: New coaches, star rookies

By WTOP Staff

BARRY WILNER
AP Pro Football Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s time to climb out of the pool, put down that frosty drink, discard the shades and fire up the high-definition TV.

The NFL is back.

Some training camps open this weekend, and the first preseason game is Aug. 3, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If it seems like the Texans just ended the draft by taking Mr. Irrelevant (defensive back Lonnie Ballentine of Memphis), well, it was only two months ago.

Players, coaches and front office staffs got some down time, albeit less than in past years, and with the Bills and Giants headed to the Hall of Fame game, their break was even shorter.

“You’ve got to be very smart this time of year with how you’re conducting yourself, what you’re doing,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “You can never lose sight of the prize.”

Certainly, a Vince Lombardi Trophy is hard to see through the haze of summertime heat and humidity. Even opening day is still a long way off, but the preseason will be here soon.

Here are some things to watch for during the NFL preseason:

KEEPING COOL: While the 2011 collective bargaining agreement has placed limitations on the length and frequency of practices, Mother Nature doesn’t care. From Berea, Ohio to Bourbonnais, Illinois, and from Renton, Washington to Richmond, Virginia, there is no hiding from the heat.

NFL teams have become more cognizant of that, and incidents of heat-related illnesses at training camps are rare. Thankfully, there has been nothing approaching the tragedy of Korey Stringer, who died of heat stroke in 2001.

“When athletes do intense exercise in the heat, the risk of exertional heat stroke is ever-present,” says Dr. Douglas J. Casa, CEO of the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut. ” The NFL has taken some important strides to make players stay safe.”

RULES CHANGES: A few alterations will be noticeable, and fans will have to look hard for the others.

Extra-point kicks in the first two exhibition games (three for the Bills and Giants) will come from the 15-yard line. Commissioner Roger Goodell has suggested that conversions need more excitement. But even from that distance, fewer than 10 percent of kicks fail.

The goalposts NFL kickers are trying to put the ball through will be extended another 5 feet in height, making it easier to judge what’s good and what misses.

When there’s a loose ball in the field of play, the recovery now can undergo video review. Also, when the referee uses review, there will be consultation with the league’s officiating department in New York. The ref still has final say.

The clock won’t stop momentarily after a sack outside of two minutes remaining in a half. And, to Saints tight end Jimmy Graham’s chagrin, no more dunking over the crossbar to celebrate a touchdown.

ALREADY FAMOUS ROOKIES: With LeBron James’ return, Johnny Football might not be the top star in Cleveland, but Manziel will still get plenty of attention for what he does on and off the field this summer.

Jadeveon Clowney, when he recovers from hernia surgery, will dominate the headlines in Houston. So much is expected of the top overall pick that if he doesn’t look like a star in the preseason, the critics will be chirping.

Whether or not Michael Sam makes the Rams final roster, becoming the first openly gay player in the NFL, will remain a hot topic.

THE INJURY BUG: Long before the first whistle sounds in training camp, three premier linebackers are gone for 2014. Dallas lost Sean Lee to a torn ACL suffered during 11 on 11, non-contact drills. Buffalo’s Kiko Alonso wrecked his knee while working out back home in Oregon. Atlanta’s Sean Weatherspoon tore his Achilles’ tendon while under the supervision of team trainers.

The one clear goal in training camp is to escape it without any major injuries.

“I think there is a fine line between making sure the team is ready to play the season, both from a contact standpoint and also from a health standpoint, so we’ll keep a good gauge on that,” said Texans coach Bill O’Brien.

NEW BOSSES: O’Brien is one of seven new head coaches in the league. His task might be the most difficult, taking a team that lost its final 14 games in 2013 and straightening it out. He’s also got a potential holdout by his top veteran, receiver Andre Johnson.

Then again, all of the new coaches have mighty challenges, or else their new teams would not have made changes.

Jay Gruden is in Washington needing to find a way to keep QB Robert Griffin III healthy. Mike Zimmer can’t be sure who he can rely on in Minnesota other than star running back Adrian Peterson.

Mike Pettine has the Johnny Football festival in Cleveland; Lovie Smith has a drastically altered roster in Tampa; and Jim Caldwell inherits a team in need of discipline in Detroit.

Ken Whisenhunt, who helped turn Arizona into a Super Bowl team, landed in Tennessee and might have the best shot at fast improvement if he can get the offense to click. That’s his specialty.

___

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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