Skip to main content

Pryor trying to find spot on Seahawks roster

By WTOP Staff

TIM BOOTH
AP Sports Writer

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — With one designed rollout and sprint to the end zone, Terrelle Pryor showed why the Seattle Seahawks sacrificed a late-round draft pick to add another quarterback.

Pryor’s 44-yard touchdown run last Friday against San Diego showed off all his athleticism. He didn’t just run away from defensive linemen and linebackers, but left defensive backs playing chase.

It was a moment that commanded attention and reminded people how unique Pryor is as a quarterback.

But there is nothing guaranteed for Pryor in Seattle. He is likely third in the pecking order behind starter Russell Wilson and veteran backup Tarvaris Jackson and Seattle has been a team under coach Pete Carroll to go with just two quarterbacks on its 53-man roster.

Pryor’s moment versus San Diego was flashy and noteworthy because Seattle always values players with unique skills. But there still remains the question of his ability as a consistent passer that will ultimately determine if he makes Seattle’s final roster.

“He’s come along really well, he’s learned really fast,” Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. “Been impressed with that and how he’s been able to pick it up and we will just continue to let him play and see how far he can come.”

Pryor’s trade to Seattle came after he fell out of favor in Oakland and asked to be moved. His status as a backup now is a drastic change from this time a year ago, when Pryor was preparing to be Oakland’s starter for the opener.

Pryor showed flashes of what he could do early last season, completing 68.1 percent of his passes for 845 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions and a 97.6 passer rating in his first four starts. He also brought the running element to Oakland’s offense and set an NFL record for quarterbacks with a 93-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage against Pittsburgh on Oct. 27.

That was the final highlight of his first year as a starter. He was eventually beaten out by Matt McGloin and lost any future in Oakland when the Raiders acquired Matt Schaub in the offseason.

“I think sometimes you have to come in the back door and go the long and hard way to get to where I want to be,” Pryor said.

Pryor said at first he was surprised that Seattle traded for him, but he quickly realized the opportunity he was being given.

“A great defense, a great quarterback and great coaches and all the guys that I could learn from,” Pryor said. “In the NFL anything can happen and you have to be ready at any moment and I definitely am having a great time here and learning a lot of football.”

It’s easy to forget that Pryor is barely 25 years old. Wilson is nearly seven months older. He’s still young, but there’s no certainty he’ll be on Seattle’s roster for the opener.

The only season under Carroll that Seattle has started the year with three QBs on the active roster was 2011. In other years, Carroll has opted to have an extra positional player, rather than carrying a third quarterback.

Could that change this season? Perhaps. Of the trio vying to be Wilson’s backup, only B.J. Daniels has practice squad eligibility remaining.

Pryor’s chance to impress will likely come in the final preseason game in Oakland against the Raiders. The Seahawks plan on giving Jackson the bulk of playing time with the No. 2 offense this week against Chicago.

“He’s been great in practice. He hasn’t had as much opportunity yet as we would like to see because the games have gone in a manner he hasn’t had to (throw),” Carroll said. “He throws the ball really well, he’s a terrific downfield thrower, he’s got a big arm. … He’s done a lot of good stuff. We feel very confident in him.”

NOTES: LBs Malcolm Smith (ankle) and Korey Toomer (hamstring) both practiced for the first time since the start of training camp on Monday. Smith, the Super Bowl MVP, has been slowed after offseason ankle surgery. … Carroll said LT Russell Okung and C Max Unger could see their first action of the preseason on Friday against Chicago.

___

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
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote