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Colts turn to Werner, creativity to pressure QBs

By WTOP Staff

ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) — Robert Mathis has never been through a training camp quite like this.

He’s not fighting for a job, not fighting to prove he can start, not even fighting for practice time. Instead, he’s spending part of these warm, summer training camp days watching the guys trying to replace him. No, the NFL’s reigning sacks king isn’t contemplating retirement or free agency, it’s just that the Colts coaches and his teammates are preparing now for his September suspension.

Mathis will miss the first four regular season games after using for a performance-enhancing substance, which he said was a result of fertility treatments. He is allowed to participate in training camp and preseason games.

“I just go out and maximize the reps that I get,” Mathis said Friday, noting he would normally take some time off at Anderson University anyway because he’s a veteran.

This year, it’s not a choice. The Colts will not have Mathis around for the season-opener against Peyton Manning’ Broncos, the pass-happy Eagles in Week 2 or back-to-back division games against Jacksonville and Tennessee. Mathis can return for the Oct. 5 game against Baltimore.

Coach Chuck Pagano is already working on the backup plan. He wants Mathis to get enough work so he’s not rusty when he returns and still needs to find replacements.

Bjoern Werner is the first option at outside linebacker as he splits snaps with Mathis and played in his spot.

The Colts took the German No. 24 overall in the 2013 draft, hoping he would complement Mathis’ pass-rushing skills. But the All-American defensive lineman hurt his knee in training camp, was slowed by injuries throughout the season and wound up with only 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks and knocked away three passes. Over the final month of the season, Werner started to flash the promise the Colts saw on his college tapes.

Today, he looks like a different player. He returned one interception for a touchdown and batted another ball that was picked off and also returned for a score on the opening day of camp.

“He’s made a huge jump,” Pagano said, explaining how Werner spent most of the offseason working out in Indianapolis. “He’s really put in the time, he knows the defense, he’s really comfortable. We know he’s got the ability, but it’s all a byproduct of the time he’s put in.”

Werner even sounds different.

A year ago, Werner was trying to balance his football studies with trying to fit in. When he checked in Wednesday, Werner seemed confident and at ease with the expectations.

“Last year, Rob got all the sacks for himself. We need some people to step up and get some sacks, too, put that pressure on the quarterback,” Werner said. “If you put that pressure on the quarterback, you’re going to win a lot of games.”

But the Colts know it will take more than one guy to make up for Mathis’ impact. In 2013, Mathis broke the franchise’s career record for sacks and set a new a team single-season record with a league best 19.5 sacks. The rest of the Colts’ defense produced just 22.5 sacks.

Pagano is counting on veterans such as D’Qwell Jackson, Cam Johnson, Arthur Jones, Josh McNary and Erik Walden and rookie linebacker Jonathan Newsome to help take the heat off Werner.

“I’m definitely more comfortable with the scheme, the adjustments and the team,” said Walden, now in his second season in Indy. “I just have to play my game and be consistent, and I think we all have to pick up the slack.”

Pagano also has defensive coordinator Greg Manusky refining the playbook with some new blitz packages.

Meanwhile, Mathis is not complaining.

Since his efforts to appeal the ruling were rejected by league officials, the Alabama A&M alum has been preparing for this unusual role of being a sort of player-coach at training camp and celebrating the birth of his 6-day-old daughter.

“I kiss my baby and wait for my turn,” he said when asked if the looming suspension weighs on him.

Besides, he likes what he sees out of Werner.

“He’s going to shine,” Mathis said. “He’s doing good, he’s getting at the ball, knows his assignments and playing some good football right now.”

Notes: Cornerback Vontae Davis and safety LaRon Landry missed the afternoon practice for a second straight day for what Pagano called “precautionary” reasons. The two starters both sat out the three-day mini-camp in Indy in June with “soft tissue” injuries. Pagano said other players also may be held out in the coming days as a precaution.

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Online: 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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