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Morgan’s memorable plays bolstering comeback hopes

By WTOP Staff

BRETT MARTEL
AP Sports Writer

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Joe Morgan has a knack for the spectacular that’s tough for coaches to ignore.

That was how the receiver first made the New Orleans Saints’ roster as a little-known, undrafted free agent out of Division II Walsh University in 2011.

Now, with his career in the balance as he comes back from knee surgery that cost him all of last season, he’s starting to exhibit his big-play potential again.

“I’ve got to do things to help me stand out and make this team,” Morgan said after practice on Monday. “If you make them remember you, it’s hard for them to get rid of you.”

Morgan needed only three catches to lead the Saints in yards receiving in New Orleans’ most recent preseason game against Tennessee. His 108-yard performance last Friday night included a diving, 52-yard reception and a 44-yard catch.

“It felt good to be able to go out there and show flashes of the old ability that I still have and actually be able to put it out there on film so everybody can see it,” Morgan said. “It was a major accomplishment.”

Morgan is in his fourth season as a pro, but because of injuries, has played only one season in the NFL.

He spent his rookie season on injured reserve because of a torn meniscus in his right knee. Fortunately for Morgan, that first injury setback didn’t come until after he’d demonstrated he had the speed, moves and instincts to periodically break off long gains.

In his first preseason game as a pro, he returned a punt 78 yards for a score against San Francisco. He played in one more preseason game that year in Houston, where he hauled in a 56-yard touchdown reception.

When he returned healthy, but still unproven, in 2012, he caught a 53-yard touchdown pass in a preseason game in Jacksonville, helping him earn his first — and only — regular season roster spot. He ended 2012 with 10 catches for 379 yards and three TDs, an average of nearly 38 yards per catch.

He then set his sights becoming a more complete receiver in 2013, to prove he could also be effective on short and intermediate routes, only to blow out his left knee in a training camp scrimmage.

While Morgan declined to get specific, he said damage to his knee went beyond an anterior cruciate ligament tear, and that his recovery was expected to take about a full year.

“To be at the point where I’m at right now, to be able to run around and have faith and trust in my knee right now is actually really good and speaks volumes for how much work I’ve been doing the past year,” Morgan said.

Morgan has not always distinguished himself during practice since training camp began in late July. On Monday, he did little that stood out beyond dropping a pass from quarterback Drew Brees over the middle.

Still, Saints coach Sean Payton has said it’s important to take note when players come through with big plays during games, exhibition or otherwise.

“It all factors in,” Payton said. “There are times in a game where it leads to confidence. In Joe’s case, that was a significant injury, and for him to be able to come out and execute and make some big plays will help his confidence.”

Currently, the Saints have 10 receivers on their training camp roster and may not keep more than five. Marques Colston, first-round draft choice Brandin Cooks and second-year pro Kenny Stills appear to hold the top three receiver spots for now. Veteran Robert Meachem and third-year pro Nick Toon are also trying to secure roles, while a pair of rookies — 6-foot-6 Brandon Coleman and 6-foot-3 Seantavious Jones — try to capitalize on their height advantages as they compete for jobs.

With that kind of competition, Morgan doesn’t see himself as a lock.

“I’m an undrafted guy so it’s always going to be a fight, a fight to make the team,” Morgan said. “I didn’t play last year and it was a blessing for them to be able sign me back and give me a chance to prove that I can come off of my injury. So basically I just got to go out there show them I’m capable of playing and hopefully it’s enough for me to make this team.”

NOTES: Cooks missed Monday’s practice. Payton said Cooks had stomach flu. … Others missing practice included S Jairus Byrd and CB Keenan Lewis. Lewis had practiced on Sunday after leaving Friday night’s preseason game with an apparent injury. Payton declined to discuss specifics on Lewis’ condition.

___

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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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