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Kubiak eagerly grabs reigns of Ravens offense

By WTOP Staff

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens had difficulty running the football last season.

They also allowed 48 sacks and committed 29 turnovers.

New offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is trying to change all that this year.

Kubiak came to the Ravens after being the head coach of the Houston Texans for eight years. He’s installing a system that’s a variation of the West Coast offense, which relies heavily on short passing.

He happy with what he’s seen so far.

“I’ve been very impressed,” Kubiak said Saturday after the team’s first training camp practice in pads. “It’s kind of about the third time we’re going through our system and teaching it. I think they’ve adjusted well.”

The Ravens had plenty of offensive punch when winning the Super Bowl in 2012 but experienced problems rushing and passing last year under coordinator Jim Caldwell, who left to become head coach of the Detroit Lions. Baltimore last year season ranked 30th in the NFL in rushing (1,361 yards) and were last in yards per carry (3.1).

In addition, the Ravens gave up the fourth-highest number of sacks, which made life tough for quarterback Joe Flacco. Kubiak expects Baltimore to be effective running the ball and predicts a similar degree of success in the passing game because of his new system.

“I think it’s something we’re going to do very well,” Kubiak said. “We’re a zone team. We’re a rhythmic team (that will) try to do the same thing a lot of different ways. I see our guys responding to it.”

The key is for the leaders on offense to make the adjustment, and Kubiak says Flacco, running back Ray Rice and guard Marshal Yanda have done just that.

Flacco said earlier in the week that working with the new offense is a challenge for the team, and that’s a good thing.

“I think that always keeps it fresh and exciting,” Flacco said. “You can come in here every day and really get better and learn. Everybody has to focus, dial in, and I think it’s really going to help us get better.”

Kubiak said he will likely stay on the field during games to work with Flacco and will have quarterbacks coach Rick Dennison up in the booth helping out.

Kubiak expects Flacco to carry a heavy load with this new offense, but only if he can remain upright in the pocket.

“Obviously, we’ve got to cut the sacks a great deal this year,” Kubiak said. “That’s a big point of emphasis, and the best way to do that is with your quarterback getting rid of the ball. He’s responded to that. There’s not a play Joe can’t make.”

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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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