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Pack rookie WR Adams hopes to help replace Jones

By WTOP Staff

GENARO C. ARMAS
AP Sports Writer

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — After seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers, James Jones signed as a free agent this offseason with the Oakland Raiders.

Some rookies might feel pressure with replacing a long-tenured player. Second-round draft pick Davante Adams sees an opportunity.

“Everybody was asking, ‘Are you replacing James?'” Adams said when he first got to Green Bay after being drafted in May.

“But in a sense anytime someone leaves and they bring in a new guy, you’re replacing” him.

“I’m not trying to replace anybody, try to be anybody else,” Adams said Wednesday. “I’m just trying to come in and do what (I’ve) got to do.”

Adams and the Packers host the Raiders in a preseason game Friday.

What Adams won’t be able to do this season is replace Jones’ veteran presence. Jones was a reliable and productive receiver in the Packers’ potent offense and a favorite of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Drafted in the third round in 2007, Jones played 104 games for Green Bay, including 47 starts. He had 310 catches and 37 touchdowns. He had a career-high 14 scores in 2012.

Jones also kept things light in the meeting room, but held himself to high standards, receiver Jordy Nelson said.

“I loved his presence in the locker room. I loved the way that he practiced,” Rodgers said. He’s a guy who you knew would go up and get the ball.”

Nelson and Randall Cobb now lead the receiving group. It’s up to guys such as Adams and third-year player Jarrett Boykin to help replace Jones’ production.

Boykin has an advantage of having stepped into the lineup last year when Randall Cobb got hurt, catching 49 passes for 68 yards and three touchdowns. Receivers coach Edgar Bennett said the confidence level has carried over to this preseason, though Boykin knows he must prove himself again.

He does have a head start on Adams given his familiarity with the offense. Rodgers spoke of how the offense looks on paper “and then there’s the offense the way the first-team runs it.

“You have to be able to be non-robotic when you’re out there, have quick reactions, and see the game the way I do and the way our offense runs most efficiently,” Rodgers said.

Tempo is key. Rodgers, one of the game’s smartest quarterbacks, can dissect a defense and throw sharp passes into tight spots.

The learning curve can be tough, making the offseason and preseason crucial for younger players.

“It’s something that’s just reps and paying attention in meetings when Aaron might be correcting or (receivers coach Edgar Bennett) or one of us older guys might be correcting,” Nelson said. “You’re taking that mental note or writing it down. You can learn off of other people’s mistakes.”

Adams has the college pedigree that would seem to bode well for the NFL, having led the nation with 131 catches in Fresno State’s prolific offense. He set school career records with 233 receptions and 38 scores in just two seasons.

But gaining Rodgers’ confidence is another matter. The 2011 NFL MVP has high standards.

“Just making sure that it becomes second nature,” Adams said about what he needs to work on most. “Everything out there is just flowing and I don’t have to worry about thinking too much and I can just play.”

NOTES: TE Brandon Bostick said he hopes to return by the season opener on Sept. 4 in Seattle. Walking rather briskly on the locker room on crutches, Bostick said he wouldn’t need surgery for a lower right leg injury. Bostick is a candidate for the starting job. … CB Casey Hayward was in pads, but carried his helmet on the sideline for much of practice. Coach Mike McCarthy said he was “just being smart” with Hayward, who missed much of last season with a hamstring injury. Hayward led all rookies in 2012 with six interceptions. … RG T.J. Lang took it easy for some of practice because of a sore right shoulder. McCarthy indicated it was a minor injury. … Injured TE Colt Lyerla (knee) was waived.

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Follow Genaro Armas at http://twitter.com/GArmasAP

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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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