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Steelers’ Gilbert looking to overcome shaky start

By WTOP Staff

DALE GRDNIC
Associated Press

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Marcus Gilbert is a part of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ long-range plans.

Good thing, because the short term hasn’t been so kind to the right tackle.

Gilbert has allowed four sacks in two weeks, including a pair to Baltimore defensive end Elvis Dumervil in a 26-6 loss to the Ravens.

Throw in two momentum-sapping penalties and it’s not exactly the kind of start Gilbert envisioned after signing a lengthy contract extension days before the season opener.

Still, Gilbert is trying to remain upbeat. So is his head coach.

“You play 60-plus snaps, (and) if you give up two sacks it’s a bad game,” Mike Tomlin said. “It is what it is. I’m not concerned about Marcus and his ability to rebound from that (and) his mentality in regard to that rebound. … I expect him to come back fighting like Rocky.”

Tomlin added that Gilbert’s struggles against the Ravens were an “Elvis Dumervil problem,” specific to Dumervil’s unique talents than any specific issue with Gilbert’s play.

Dumervil had his way at times with the 6-foot-6, 330-pound Gilbert. At one point Dumervil shoved Gilbert into quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. It wasn’t a pretty sight.

“As much fun as it was to laugh about four or five days later, I think it was more humbling to Marcus to have something like that happen to him,” Roethlisberger said.

Gilbert insisted he’s not feeling the need to produce immediate dividends from the six-year, $30-million contract he agreed to during the preseason. The deal included a $7 million signing bonus, a lot of money for a player that has struggled to stay healthy.

“It doesn’t put any more pressure on me,” Gilbert said. “Obviously, when everybody counts on you, you need to do your job to the best of your ability. It’s my job to keep guys from getting to our quarterback, so I guess you could say there’s a lot of pressure about that.”

Gilbert believed he played “pretty solid” against the Ravens outside the two sacks.

“That’s something to get better at and I take initiative and take pride in keeping the defenders off the quarterback,” he said.

Gilbert’s run blocking is one of the reasons the Steelers (1-1) are sixth in total offense (402 yards per game) through two games. He will be tested on Sunday night at Carolina (2-0), which features one of the league’s top defenses led by an athletic and relentless front seven.

Still, he said there is plenty of room for improvement after stalling out against the Ravens. After rolling up 27 points in the first half of the opener against Cleveland, Pittsburgh has been outscored 50-9.

“We just need to have more efficient runs on first and second downs, because … you don’t want to get behind the chains,” Gilbert said. “We let that happen too often in the past six quarters.”

Notes: WR Lance Moore (groin) practiced again Friday and is expected to make his season debut. . GG Ramon Foster (ankle) and RB Dri Archer (left ankle, knee) were limited all week. Foster is questionable, while Archer is doubtful. Foster said his status will be determined by Tomlin at game time. Cody Wallace likely would start if Foster can’t play. . NT Steve McLendon (right shoulder) practiced Friday and is probable, along with WR Martavis Bryant (shoulder).

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

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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