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Raiders could be down 2 starters on defense

By WTOP Staff

MICHAEL WAGAMAN
Associated Press

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Already staggering from back-to-back poor performances, the Oakland Raiders will likely be without two of their starting linebackers for Sunday’s game in New England.

Middle linebacker Nick Roach is still recovering from a concussion he suffered during the preseason and has only recently returned to practice on a limited basis. Roach, who played every defensive snap in 2013, has yet to be cleared through the NFL’s protocol for concussions and is questionable to play against the Patriots.

“My job now is just to try to get back as soon as I can,” Roach said Friday. “You want to be there for your team in any way possible. I try to communicate with the guys whenever I can, anything to help them execute at a high level.”

The Raiders are hopeful Roach will be cleared in time to play, though it’s likely to be a game-time decision. The veteran linebacker said he’s feeling better but he and the team continue to take a cautious approach given the nature of his injury.

“He’s still going through the protocol,” Oakland coach Dennis Allen said. “He’s getting better every day. Hopefully, he’ll continue to improve.”

Outside linebacker Sio Moore has already been ruled out because of an ankle injury suffered in last week’s loss to Houston.

Without Roach and Moore, the Raiders will likely start Kaluka Maiava in the middle and slide Miles Burris outside. Burris started the previous two games inside while filling in for Roach.

“(Roach) is an important piece to our defense as far as our ability to get everybody lined up,” Allen said. “His familiarity with what we’re trying to get done defensively is a big piece of our ability to play good defense. But Miles has gone in there and done a nice job.”

The winless Raiders own the NFL’s worst run defense despite adding several key free agents like Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley and Antonio Smith in the offseason.

They’ve given up 400 yards on the ground, with breakdowns coming across the board.

In the 30-14 loss to the Texans, Oakland failed to register a single sack. Houston quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick passed for two touchdowns and had a 129.1 passer rating, while running back Arian Foster ran for 138 yards and a touchdown.

That came on the heels of a season-opening 19-14 loss to the New York Jets when Chris Ivory put up 102 yards rushing while backup Chris Johnson added 68 yards on 13 carries.

Since then, the Raiders have been the target of heavy criticism in the media and from fans, many of whom booed the team as it left the field following the loss to Houston in Oakland’s home-opener.

Roach doesn’t think the negativity is unfair.

“If they’re just judging by the record and what they see on film, probably not,” Roach said. “We know that in this locker room, we’re the ones that will have to change any of those perceptions by what we put out there.”

The road doesn’t get any easier.

Following the trip to New England, the Raiders depart for London, where they’ll play the Miami Dolphins before returning home for the bye week.

NOTES: Running back Maurice Jones-Drew (hand) was limited in practice and is questionable. … Tuck, who was sick earlier in the week, practiced and is probable. … Cornerbacks Carlos Rogers (knee) and Chimdi Chekwa (knee) were also limited and questionable. … Tackle Matt McCants (knee) is questionable.

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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