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Falcons needs to step it up in rivalry with Saints

By WTOP Staff

PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA (AP) — Say this about a rivalry: It’s not much of one if both teams aren’t winning on a regular basis.

The Atlanta Falcons really need to step it up against the New Orleans Saints.

Since Sean Payton and Drew Brees arrived in the Big Easy, the Saints have seized command of their longtime divisional feud with the Falcons.

New Orleans has won 13 of the past 16 meetings between the NFC South teams, including a 12-2 mark with Payton on the sideline (he was suspended for the 2012 season after the Bountygate scandal).

Coming off their first losing season since 2007, the Falcons will be looking to turn things around when they host New Orleans in Sunday’s season opener.

“Going out there in that first game, beating a team like New Orleans, it’s going to set it up for the rest of the season,” Falcons safety William Moore said. “We want to get that sour taste out of our mouths from last season.”

Entering the NFL a year apart in the 1960s and within driving distance of each other, it was only natural that Atlanta and New Orleans became the bitterest of rivals.

For many of those seasons, the regional tussle played out in relative anonymity on the national stage, since both franchises had only brief periods of success. In recent years, though, there’s been a lot more at stake than just pride.

With Payton as coach, the Saints are 73-39 with two division titles, five playoff appearances and a Super Bowl championship. Since Mike Smith took over as Falcons coach in 2008, Atlanta is 60-36 with two division titles and four trips to the playoffs.

Diplomatically trying to explain the Saints’ domination, Brees attributed it to the respect his team has for the Falcons.

“There’s usually something at stake when we play each other,” the quarterback said. “It’s going to come down to a few plays here and there. We just hope to be the team that makes them.”

Indeed, most games could’ve gone either way. Nine of the past 12 meetings were decided by eight points or fewer, the average margin in those is a minuscule 4.2 points.

“We’re not too worried about what happened four and five years ago,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said. “We’re a different team, they’re a different team. It comes down to what we’re going to do this year.”

Here are some things to look for in Sunday’s season opener:

BREES’ NEW TARGET: The Saints’ already prolific passing game, featuring star tight end Jimmy Graham and career leading receiver Marques Colston, has a new option: first-round pick Brandin Cooks. Teammates say he’s the fastest player on the team, which showed during training camp as Cooks broke a number of long gains during 11-on-11 drills.

FALCONS O-LINE: All eyes will be on the guys up front for Atlanta. They took much of the blame for last season’s 4-12 debacle. Ryan was sacked 44 times — 16 more than his previous career high — and the Falcons ranked last in the league in yards rushing. First-round pick Jake Matthews takes over at the crucial left tackle position after Sam Baker went down with a knee injury during the preseason. Jon Asamoah is the new starter at right guard. They’ll have their hands full against the Saints’ pass-rushing tandem of Cameron Jordan and Junior Galette, who combined for 24½ sacks last season.

BYRD SWOOPS IN: The Saints’ biggest move in free agency was the addition of free safety Jairus Byrd, who’ll line up alongside safety Kenny Vaccaro, the Saints’ 2013 first-round pick. Byrd had 22 interceptions during five years with the Buffalo Bills, twice leading the AFC in that category. New Orleans is looking to produce more turnovers, the one thing lacking on a unit that ranked fourth-best in yards allowed last season. “He’s one of the best free safeties in the league,” Ryan said. “That’s a huge addition for them.”

JACKSON’S HEALTH: Atlanta must improve its running game to take some of the heat off Ryan. That’s where Steven Jackson comes in. A year ago, he struggled with injuries, missed four games and finished with a career-low 543 yards. Jackson didn’t play at all in the preseason while nursing a hamstring injury, not a good sign for a 31-year-old back. But the Falcons insist he’s healthy and ready to go against the Saints. Look for Jacquizz Rodgers and rookie Devonta Freeman to get some carries, as well.

RUNNING SAINTS: New Orleans is not known for its ground game, but 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram may be ready for a breakout season. He put together some strong performances late last season and during the preseason, giving the Saints another intriguing option. It’s now or never for Ingram, who is entering the final year of his contract and has yet to show he can deliver consistently in the NFL. Second-year back Khiry Robinson and versatile veteran Pierre Thomas are also pushing for playing time.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963

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AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.

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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