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Rams’ Quinn still looking for that first sack

By WTOP Staff

WARREN MAYES
Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Robert Quinn led the NFC and set a St. Louis Rams record with 19 sacks last season. He has yet to get his first one of 2014, and he’s never taken down Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, either.

The defensive end would like to end both those streaks on Sunday when the Cowboys (1-1) visit the Rams (1-1). This will be the third time in the last four seasons the two teams have met.

“He’s kind of slippery,” Quinn said about Romo on Friday after practice at Rams Park. “I don’t know if he gets enough credit for that. He definitely can make things happen when he gets out of the pocket. I’ve got to find that fine line and just get him down.

“I’ve had him wrapped up a few times, but he’s so elusive. We have another shot come Sunday, and, hopefully, we can get back there multiple times.”

Romo has been sacked seven times in the first two games this season.

Last week, Quinn agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $65.5 million that will keep him a Ram until 2019. The deal averages $14.2 million a season and gives him $41.2 million in guaranteed money.

“It’s an honor for the Rams to do that for me,” Quinn said as teammate Chris Long sat nearby using his phone to make the sound of a cash register. “At the end of the day, my family is taken care of. You play this sport for the love of the game, but you want to be able to take care of your family when you’re doing it.”

He earned the money. Quinn, a first-round pick at No. 14 in 2011, was an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in 2013 while recording 19 sacks and seven forced fumbles.

In his tenure in St. Louis, Quinn has developed into one of the NFL’s top defenders.

While he is still in search of his first sack of the season, he has been credited by coaches with four quarterback pressures and six quarterback hits in two games. Quinn also has two tackles for loss in the run game.

Coach Jeff Fisher said is not worried about Quinn getting sacks and creating havoc.

“We’re just two games into it and you know, obviously, the offenses are very much aware of his ability,” Fisher said. “The ball’s coming out quick. He’s played well against the run. He’s been putting good pressure on the passer. He just hasn’t gotten there yet with the ball in the hand. I expect him to have an outstanding year.”

Quinn is looking to build off his breakout year in 2013 when he set the franchise record for sacks, topping Kevin Carter’s 17 in the Super Bowl-winning 1999 season. Quinn had at least one sack in 11 of 16 games last season. He had five multi-sack games, including three in which he recorded three sacks.

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams notes opposing offenses have been doing a few things so far to try and keep Quinn at bay.

“Teams are doing some chips or extra protections. They always know where he’s at,” Williams said. “We just need to get into some situations where we can turn him loose at little bit more, too. But he’s had a lot of impact on plays. He’s sped their process up before the ball is ever snapped because they do know where he’s at.

“I’ll tell you this, he’s done a great job against the run. He’s done some really, really good jobs in the run game and it’s been kind of silent. He’s a really good football player. He affects the passing game even when he’s not sacking the quarterback.”

That’s the mark of a talented athlete.

“He does things I can’t coach,” Williams said. “I’m glad he’s on our side.”

It’s just a matter of time before he puts a quarterback on the turf given his track record. Quinn is not worried.

“It’s only two games in. I need to get on my high horse and quit playing around,” Quinn said, laughing. “You slowly chip away and once you get the first one, it seems like a million more will come right after. I’ll keep going out there and working my craft and try to make something happen.”

NOTES: QB Shaun Hill (thigh), WR Tavon Austin (knee), TE Cory Harkey (knee) were limited in practice. All three are listed as questionable. Fisher said it will be a “game time decision” on Hill or Austin Davis at quarterback. … DE Chris Long (ankle) has a long cast on his left leg almost to the knee after having surgery. He is riding a four-wheel scooter to get around the locker room and his home.

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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