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Jets’ Vick says he’s better QB now than last year

By WTOP Staff

DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Michael Vick knows he has a lot of football left in him.

He sees it when he watches himself on film. He feels it when he zips around the field and flings the ball downfield.

“I think that I’m a better quarterback now than I was last year,” Vick declared Friday. “I know that for a fact.”

It’s hard to argue with him, especially after a solid summer in which he looked anything but a 34-year-old quarterback in the twilight of his career.

But unlike last year with the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Jets backup quarterback will open the regular season on the sideline. He’ll be watching Geno Smith lead the Jets at home against the Oakland Raiders. It’s a role he has accepted, but he’s far from content with it.

“It’s a different adjustment that I have to make,” Vick said. “Coming to New York, I already understood the sacrifices that I would have to make here internally and to myself. The only thing could come up with was to be the best player I can be at all times and keep striving to be the best and keep being positive.”

That means he worked most of training camp with the backups on offense, and with the scout team all this week. That could be a blow to the ego for most stars. Vick insists he’s just trying to take it all in stride.

“I’m used to getting all the No. 1 reps, and now I get scout team reps, but hey, I take pride in them, too,” he said. “Anything to help the team out, anything to help this team win or give them an edge, I’m doing the best that I can. And I’m going to continue to do that and continue to be an asset.”

The Jets invested this offseason to giving Smith every opportunity to prove in his second season that he can be a franchise-type quarterback — or at least take steps in that direction. They signed Vick in March as insurance, an experienced and highly effective backup who could step in in a pinch, if needed.

“I’ve got to stay ready,” Vick said. “I don’t get all the physical reps now. They’re all mental. I have to make sure that my head is in the game at all times, so if I’m not out there practicing and doing it, then I’ve got to do it mentally.”

There’s no doubt that Vick would love more than anything to run out of the tunnel at MetLife Stadium on Sunday as the starter. But he doesn’t wish ill will on Smith. Just the opposite, actually.

Vick and Smith have established a solid working relationship, a mentor and student situation that has benefited the young quarterback.

“He’s been great for Geno,” quarterbacks coach David Lee said. “They get along just really well and they trust each other. Mike’s been dead honest. I hear those comments and he’s done nothing, but I think, enhance Geno’s chances of being a better pro quarterback.”

Vick knows what he’s talking about, of course, since he’s a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was regularly regarded as one of the league’s most dynamic players in his prime. He has heard about some of the preseason predictions, with one poll this summer ranking Smith as the worst starting quarterback in the NFL.

“I’ll tell you this: I guess they had him ranked 32nd? That won’t be the case,” Vick said. “I know through all that hard work and what we’ve set out to accomplish that number may jump, times five. We’ll see. I’m just excited for him. We’ve worked hard, and the time has come.”

Vick has come a long way from his days of turning the football field into his own personal version of the Madden video games, driving defenses crazy and making fans’ jaws drop with every electrifying play.

He has also come a long way from the man who served nearly two years in prison for his role in a dog fighting ring, pausing his NFL career and being despised by many for his actions.

Vick is older, wiser and humbled now, and says he “absolutely” wishes he knew back then as a young player some of the things he knows now.

“I think that’s just growth,” Vick said. “That’s the maturation process that you go through as a football player. There’s a couple of other things I wish I knew, but at the same time, I kind of relish the moment.

“I cherish it, and I appreciate where I’m at today.”

Even if it’s from the sideline.

NOTES: Vick confirmed he will do a spot with WFAN’s Mike Francesa next Tuesday, but it might not be a weekly spot — as originally believed. He’s also prepared for the veteran New York-based host’s sometimes-combative style. “Nah, I can get him riled up,” Vick said with a smile. “You can’t rile me. You see what I go through every Sunday? You can’t rile me with words.”

___

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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