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Greg Robinson has double duty on offensive line

By WTOP Staff

R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Rookie Greg Robinson has been getting double duty at guard and tackle in training camp for the St. Louis Rams.

The No. 2 pick has been equal to the task.

“They need me to cross train,” Robinson said Tuesday night after practicing in 90-degree heat. “I’m just trying my best to learn it all.”

Robinson projects as a main tackle eventually, but being versatile is always a plus. He admits it’s been difficult mentally at times.

Since getting drafted, Robinson has been quizzed about the complexity of the Rams offense compared with Auburn’s straightforward schemes.

He’s getting a little weary of it, calling it “the question of the whole camp.”

“They expect me to know it and I’ve been working hard and I’m coming along,” Robinson said. “There’s a few things I don’t remember, but I’m coming along well and starting to play a little faster.”

The Rams had a need early in camp with left tackle Jake Long and guard Rodger Saffold rehabbing from injuries.

Even though both likely will play in the third preseason game at Cleveland, Robinson will be alternating spots again. He’ll start at left guard and move to left tackle after Long’s day is done.

Saffold, who’s been hampered by a stinger in his left shoulder, can relate to Robinson’s challenge. He’s settling in at right guard this season, but last year he had five starts at right guard, three starts at right tackle and one at left tackle.

“I just hope that it’s good for him to be able to see the big picture,” Saffold said. “The more you know, the better understanding, the better you react to blitzes and other things that you can see out of the corner of your eye, which is great.”

Robinson left Auburn after two seasons and at age 21 is the second-youngest player in camp.

The Rams are factoring in the youth element, anticipating he’ll grow into his role, but he’s already good enough to start at two spots.

“A lot of people say I look better at tackle than guard, but that’s all opinions,” Robinson said. “I’m just trying my best to learn.”

Saffold’s injury is to the same shoulder that brought him back to St. Louis after signing a free agent deal with Oakland, but then failing his physical. He said he’s felt ready for a couple of weeks, but that the team’s medical staff is playing it safe.

He was hurt in practice when he got hit from two angles at the same time. He did individual work Tuesday.

“It was nowhere as bad as the last time,” Saffold said. “I know they want to be super cautious and that’s fine,” Saffold said.

Ready to get to work, too.

“I feel in shape, I feel rested, good all the way around,” he said. “I’m just itching to hit somebody else.”

Notes: Former Rams LB Isiah Robertson was among those watching practice on the next to last day of training camp. “What an honor to have him in the building,” coach Jeff Fisher said. … DT Michael Brockers returned to practice from an ankle injury, but linebacker James Laurinaitis (ankle) remained sidelined.

___

AP NFL websites: 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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