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Vick embracing role as mentor to Smith with Jets

By WTOP Staff

DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

CORTLAND, N.Y. (AP) — Michael Vick dropped back, peered down the field and flicked his wrist.

The football zipped through the air about 50 yards and dropped into the arms of a wide receiver running in stride. And it all looked so effortless for the New York Jets quarterback.

“Whoa!” one young fan shouted at a recent training camp practice. “Man, he’s still got it!”

Vick knows it.

Everyone else is starting to see it, too.

Thing is, Vick also believes he can not only be a starter in the NFL, but a star. Right now, he’s in line to back up Geno Smith this season. And, just as he did last year in Philadelphia, he’s doing everything he can to help a young quarterback get better as a high-profile mentor.

“I’m cool with it,” Vick said. “I understood the situation coming in and I knew it was Geno’s job and my job was to push Geno. The thing I’m going to be is, I’m going to be a guy that’s going to be able to help Geno.

“But if this team needs me to play, I’m going to be ready to play.”

Vick is still hungry to be what he once was: one of the league’s most dynamic players. And as far as he’s concerned, no one can tell him any different.

“He can still throw it now, like, wow, can he throw it,” Rex Ryan said. “It’s amazing how God touches people differently and, certainly, he gave this young man so much ability.”

Vick is 34, though, and some see him more as a big-name backup with plenty of experience rather than a potential starter.

Not Vick. Not yet.

“I still feel like I have a lot of football left to play, so I wouldn’t take it that far,” he said. “But, hey, if that’s what it is now and the next couple of years, then, hey, we’ll see.”

There wasn’t much buzz this past offseason when he became a free agent, and Vick chose to sign with a team trying to determine whether Smith can be a franchise quarterback. That’s why, as Ryan and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said would happen, Smith is taking 75 percent of the snaps with the first-team offense.

“As the days go on,” Vick said, “I continue to get more comfortable in my role.”

While the Jets have said there is competition at every position this summer, Vick has called Smith “the starter” from the moment he signed.

But, as he well knows, that can change at any time. Just as it did last year, when he began the season with the Eagles as the starter, injured a hamstring and was replaced by Nick Foles — who went on to have a Pro Bowl season.

Rather than sulk, Vick reinvented himself.

He was lauded by Eagles coaches for his willingness to help Foles along, serving almost as another coach.

It’s still much of the same in New York.

“I think these are opportunities you have to embrace,” Vick said. “The great part about this is we get to watch a young kid mature in the offense and grow. If I can take part and take credit for some of that, then I will. I will enjoy every minute of that, as if I was out there playing.”

He’s quick to give Smith a pat on the helmet after he makes a good play. He’s also eager to make sure Smith remains focused when things might not be going as smoothly.

“Just helping me with life lessons and learning from some of the things that he’s done,” Smith said. “He’s been in this league 11 years. He’s had his ups and downs. Everyone knows that quarterbacks, you’re going to have a ton of those: ups and downs, ups and downs. You’ve just got to stay levelheaded. That’s the main thing that he talks about.”

After coming out of Virginia Tech as the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2001, Vick quickly developed into one of the league’s most exciting players with the Falcons.

Then came a nearly two-year prison sentence for his role in a dogfighting ring that turned him into one of the most vilified athletes in recent memory. It changed his life, and is something he still tries to make amends for by championing animal rights.

He revived his career during his five years in Philadelphia, and greatly rehabilitated his image. But he’s still a bad guy in some eyes. Vick knows that will never fully change. All he knows is that as long as he’s on the football field — as player or mentor — life just seems right.

“I have had my share or jubilation in this league, and more to come,” Vick said. “This is a great role I am in now, a great opportunity. I still get to come out and dress up and play a game I love. And that’s what’s most important.”

___

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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