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Manziel fighting off critics as opener nears

By WTOP Staff

TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Maybe only a coincidence, but the Browns put rookie Johnny Manziel’s locker in a corner near the equipment room, next to an NFL-issued poster that says: “Your Off-Field Conduct Matters.”

Lately, that message seems more intended for Manziel’s critics than any reminder for the super-hyped young quarterback to behave.

Manziel, who will open the season as Cleveland’s backup behind Brian Hoyer, has been the target of some harsh criticism from football analysts like Boomer Esiason and Merril Hoge.

Earlier this week, Hoge, a former Pittsburgh running back who works for ESPN, lambasted Manziel, saying the former Heisman Trophy winner wasn’t worthy of a first-round pick, looked lost during the preseason and doesn’t belong on the field in Sunday’s opener against the Steelers.

Hoge took his condemnation even further, calling Manziel, “a juvenile punk.”

It’s not the first time Manziel has been subjected to negativity, and he brought some of it on himself with his offseason partying. However, Hoge’s remarks seemed more of a personal attack.

“Everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” Manziel said following practice on Friday. “So Merril Hoge is entitled to that. I’m sorry he feels that way. He’s never met me. I’ve never met him, so I guess he thinks I’m not a very good football player.”

Manziel has legions of supporters, who revere the college sensation known as Johnny Football and waiting for his chance to shine as a pro.

And while Manziel feels loved by the Browns and in Cleveland, there’s a sizeable group who want to see him fail. He knows he’s a target, but Manziel doesn’t feel compelled to prove his doubters wrong.

“I don’t think I need any more motivation than what is already out there,” he said. “I’m sure that adds a little bit of fuel to the fire, but I’m already an extremely motivated person.”

For the first time in several years, Manziel enters the season as an understudy. He’s ready in case Hoyer gets hurt or the Browns need him, and it’s possible Manziel could get on the field against the Steelers with a set of plays designed to suit his skill set.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan wouldn’t disclose if the Browns will use Manziel in any “Johnny Package,” but said there could be a benefit to him getting a few snaps.

“Yeah, I think it can work,” said Shanahan. “Other people have done it. It’s had success, so everything has a chance.”

Browns coach Mike Pettine said any decision to use a second quarterback “would be a feel thing. I don’t think there would be a strict set of parameters for when to do it.”

Manziel’s ready if the Browns need him.

He’s spent the week with Hoyer breaking down film of the Steelers, renowned for their ability to blitz quarterbacks, seasoned or not.

Manziel doesn’t have any nervousness and if he gets to play, he’ll treat the game like anyone he’s ever played in.

“It’s football, so you throw a pigskin with laces on it, you go against defenses that are running coverages,” he said. “But at the same time, Pittsburgh, they’re doing what they’ve been doing. Their defense has been doing this for a lot of years with a lot of the same guys. They’re extremely talented.”

Although he won’t be starting for the first time since his freshman year at Texas A&M, Manziel intends to help the Browns anyway he can. As Hoyer takes the real snaps, Manziel will be taking mental ones and interacting with Cleveland’s coaches as another set of eyes on the sideline.

“That’s what it has to be about,” he said. “This isn’t about me getting in or anything like that, it’s about helping this team and get a win on Sunday.”

The Browns have been pleased with Manziel’s progress. There’s no more talk about his off-field activities. Since training camp started and through the exhibition season, he’s been a model citizen, good student and improving player.

“Johnny’s right where he needs to be,” general manager Ray Farmer said. “We said this was going to be a process. We said he was going to get his opportunities, and we said that he was going to come in and compete. He did all of those things. He took the bull by the horns and he’s where he needs to be.

“As long as he continues to work hard, he’s coming along at the rate that he needs to.”

Farmer is aware of the hits Manziel has been taking off the field and said “only time will tell” if the young QB will pan out.

Farmer Is certain of one thing: the Browns will help Manziel succeed.

“Johnny knows how we feel about him and he knows what’s going on in this building,” he said. “That’s what we’re focused on is keeping him focused on football. Right now, he’s in the building, he’s loving life, life is good. He’s working hard and we’re going to stay focused on that.”

NOTES: Pettine said he’s ready for his coaching debut. “Hopefully, it’s the first of many,” he said. Pettine remembers losing his first game as a high school coach and beginning the season 0-3. He laughed when asked if he made a quarterback switch before the fourth game. “I did not,” he said. … The Browns will be thin on both lines Sunday as DL Desmond Bryant (wrist), DL John Hughes (hamstring) and OL Paul McQuistan (ankle) will not play.

___

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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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