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Dalton’s future with Bengals secure … for now

By WTOP Staff

JOE KAY
AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI (AP) — Andy Dalton and the rest of the Bengals took the field for their first training camp practice, applauded by several hundred fans in the metal, temporary bleachers.

Not far away, a couple of fans on a public bridge that overlooks the practice fields were unfurling two white sheets with printed messages.

“Don’t Sign Dalton,” the first banner said, adding a derogatory comment about the quarterback.

“A.J. to A.J., The Future Is Now,” said the other banner.

They were soon taken down, but the sentiment will linger with some fans until the fourth-year quarterback gets the final breakthrough in a so-far stellar career. He not only has to get the Bengals to the playoffs for a fourth straight season — something they’ve never done — but he has to get them deep into the postseason.

Anything less will keep those banners coming.

Nobody on the defending AFC North champions is under more pressure than Dalton, who is entering the final season on his contract. He and the Bengals have been negotiating a long-term extension, but remain apart on terms.

Owner Mike Brown said this week that if no deal is made, the team could let Dalton play out his contract and then use its franchise tag on him for 2015, so he’ll be around for at least two more seasons.

Brown raves about Dalton, who has led the Bengals to a better record each season in Cincinnati. He calls him a “steady Eddie” on the field and a leader in the locker room.

“I think he is an exceptional person,” Brown said. “Nobody has more respect in our building than he. I would tell you of all the quarterbacks we have had, he is respected by his teammates as much as any of them.

“We judge quarterbacks by different standards. How do they throw? How do they run? How do they lead? People will put him at different levels on those standards. I think that the one standard that counts much is: Did he win? So far around here he’s won nine, he’s won 10, he’s won 11. That’s pretty good.”

Dalton was grateful that Brown spoke up.

“That’s exactly what you want to hear from the owner,” Dalton said. “It shows what this organization thinks of me, and it’s great for him to come out and say that. I was very thankful for that.”

The Bengals have lost in the first round each of the past three seasons, tying the league record for early exits. They’re the ninth team in history to drop three straight in the opening round. They haven’t won a playoff game since the 1990 season, which matches the sixth-longest streak of playoff futility in NFL history.

Dalton had a fumble and two interceptions in the second half of a 27-10 loss to San Diego at Paul Brown Stadium that ended last season. He has watched video of the playoff loss several times.

“I’ll be the first guy to say when I did wrong,” Dalton said. “Obviously the turnovers were my fault, that’s what it comes down to.”

Two seasons ago, coach Marvin Lewis challenged Dalton and linebacker Rey Maualuga to become leaders. They responded so well that he designated them as captains.

Lewis has seen Dalton assume a bigger role with the team in each of his three seasons.

“He was the starting quarterback, then he became the leader of the offense, and last year he became the leader of the football team,” Lewis said. “Now he understands what all comes with that, and I think he’s very confident with that.”

The Bengals drafted quarterback AJ McCarron in the fifth round, but he’ll be limited to throwing to A.J. Green in practice — the reference point for one of those two banners. Barring an injury to Dalton, McCarron is relegated to a backup role for at least the next two years.

Regardless of what happens with his contract, Dalton will get a chance for his final breakthrough.

“Everybody knows we didn’t win in the playoffs,” Brown said. “We have to get over that hump. First we have to win the opportunity to have another crack at it. That is going to be difficult, but we are counting on him to get us to that point.”

___

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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