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Bears need Cutler to be stabilizing force

By WTOP Staff

ANDREW SELIGMAN
AP Sports Writer

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — If ever the Chicago Bears needed Jay Cutler to be a stabilizing force, this would seem to be the time.

Two Pro Bowl receivers and a pair of starting offensive linemen are injured. The Bears are coming off a brutal season-opening loss, and they’re staring at a matchup with San Francisco this week that could make even the healthiest teams blink.

No need to remind Cutler. He understands what he has to do.

“With all the changes we’re making, it’s probably is a little more important this week,” he said.

The Bears are looking at the possibility of having two spots on the offensive line being manned by reserves with center Roberto Garza and left guard Matt Slauson nursing ankle injuries. They could also be without one or both Pro Bowl receivers, with Brandon Marshall (ankle) and Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) hobbled.

The injuries to Garza and Slauson appear more serious. But having to face the 49ers without Marshall or Jeffery would be huge blows for Chicago.

Both receivers sat out their second straight practice Thursday. While Marshall vowed to be ready, it’s not clear if he or Jeffery will get the go-ahead.

“If I can help out the team I’m going to be out there,” he said. “That’s part of the game — it’s volatile, it’s risky. Hey, I’m going to go down swinging. I’ll be out there Sunday. That’s what I’m saying, but of course I’m not the head decision-maker here. But I’m going to be out there in my mind, and I’ll be ok.”

That probably hinges on what he shows in practice on Friday, assuming he participates. Marshall was planning to do so, but coach Marc Trestman wasn’t sure if Jeffery will.

Either way, with so many starters banged up or missing, the Bears need Cutler to help stabilize the offense.

“Jay has become that guy for us,” offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer said. “He’s the guy leading the offense. And he’s done a good job of communicating and whether it’s with the linemen, receivers, running backs, he’s done a good job communicating with all of them and becoming that force of whoever’s in with him, let’s go play. We’re 11-on-11 and we’ve been pleased with the way he’s done that.”

The Bears came into the season aiming high with a rebuilt defense and a prolific offense returning intact, but last week’s overtime loss to Buffalo was as demoralizing as it was ugly at times.

The schedule doesn’t get easier, with six of the next eight games on the road, and they’re looking at a tough matchup this week.

San Francisco’s defense could pose problems, and on top of that, the 49ers might be amped up a little more than usual because this will be their first regular-season game in their new stadium.

Cutler put up some big numbers against Buffalo last week but also committed a key mistake at an inopportune time, sparking some unpleasant memories for Bears fans.

He threw for 349 yards. But one of the plays that stood out was an ill-advised attempt at an across-the-body pass to Martellus Bennett with the Bears threatening in the fourth quarter.

The result was an interception by the defensive tackle and at least a few groans at Soldier Field.

The Bears can’t afford decisions like that if they’re going to have a chance against the 49ers — particularly if Marshall or Jeffery can’t play.

They’ll need Cutler to be a stabilizing force.

“The last two days he’s done an outstanding job just working through the practices with the guys that we are practicing with,” Trestman said. “He’s been a coach out there, a mentor out there. He has stayed calm and relaxed throughout. Just working with the guys and practicing.”

___

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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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