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New WR Stevie Johnson gears up for 49ers debut

By WTOP Staff

JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Stevie Johnson had produced three straight 1,000-yard seasons with 23 touchdown catches as Buffalo’s most dynamic player in the passing game when that streak ended in frustrating fashion last year.

His 12-game total: 52 catches, 597 yards and three TDs.

There were injuries, and a tough personal moment with the unexpected death of his mother.

Now he has a chance to start a new streak with his new team, back home in the Bay Area. Even if the skeptics wonder whether he can still show signs of returning to his former football self.

“That’s with everything. I can’t say that’s my direct focus. I know there are people who are saying I can’t do it again, I know there are people saying that I can,” Johnson said. “All I’ve got to do is put my head down and keep working, work with my brothers and see how it goes.”

The 28-year-old Johnson, who was born in San Francisco and went to high school in Fairfield, came to the 49ers in a trade from the Bills on the second day of the NFL draft in May. In a talented and deep receiving corps, Johnson is confident he can still have a big impact whatever his role.

During one recent practice, he made a leaping 25-yard catch on a pretty pass by Blaine Gabbert along the right sideline while easily landing both feet inbounds as an official signaled the reception. That came a day after Johnson dropped a ball in the end zone.

He will get his first game action chance in Thursday’s preseason opener at Baltimore.

“Stevie is Stevie. He gets open. He makes plays. Very excited to see what he does in live action for us,” quarterback Colin Kaepernick said Tuesday before the team departed for the East Coast. “Stevie’s a pro. He’s picked up the offense quickly. He makes very few mistakes in the little time that he’s been here. As a quarterback, you like to see that.”

With the Bills, Johnson became the first player in team history to reach 1,000 yards receiving in consecutive seasons. He spent the past four seasons as a starter in Buffalo, yet will have to compete for playing time in this receivers group — the best that fourth-year quarterback Kaepernick has seen so far.

Kaepernick has quickly found a rhythm with Johnson, saying that was “pretty easy” given the separation the athletic 6-foot-2 wideout creates.

“Very quick, very deceptive, and I’m happy he’s on our side of the ball,” Kaepernick said.

Best suited to play an inside slot position, Johnson has 301 total receptions for 3,842 yards and 28 touchdowns. Much like new teammate and fellow receiver Anquan Boldin, Johnson has been known to show his emotions and let loose while celebrating.

Yet now, Johnson seems determined to keep his mouth shut and show that he can still be the dominant playmaker he once was.

“Yeah, for sure. When you come off three straight 1,000 (yard seasons) and you don’t get it the year after that, it’s always, ‘You’ve got to get better.’ You feel like you’ve got to be better than last year,” he said. “That’s the goal collectively as a team. The Niners, they didn’t win a Super Bowl, and we feel we have to get there and win.”

Not only was Johnson slowed by injuries, he was excused by the team for the final two games of the season following the death of his mother.

A fresh start is welcome out West, where as a boy he used to throw rocks into San Francisco Bay off Candlestick Point. A bit bummed out he won’t play in The Stick, Johnson sees this as an opportunity to help San Francisco establish some momentum in its sparkling new $1.2 billion Levi’s Stadium.

There are expectations playing close to home, too.

“That’s just like the 1,000-yard thing,” Johnson said. “It’s good to be home but at the same time it’s kind of tough because you have everybody in your ear. You can take it either way. I’m an optimistic type of guy, so I think it’s cool. Every day is cool so far.”

Notes: Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said it hasn’t been decided whether RB Frank Gore will play Thursday. … On simplifying the offensive playbook this offseason, Roman said, “It was time to clean out the garage.”

___

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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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