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Packers getting production from balanced pass rush

By WTOP Staff

TODD McMAHON
Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Talk of the Green Bay Packers’ pass rush in recent years has started and typically ended with Clay Matthews. The star linebacker has led the Packers in sacks every season since his rookie year in 2009.

Perhaps this season will turn out different and Green Bay won’t have to rely so much on Matthews to get after the quarterback.

“I just think we’ve got some studs on the defensive side,” Matthews said.

Green Bay (3-2) sacked Christian Ponder six times in a 42-10 rout of Minnesota last week. For the Packers, who have won two straight going into their game against Miami on Sunday, that matched the total number of sacks they had in their first four games.

Nine players have at least a half-sack for Green Bay this season. Matthews? He has just one after nursing a groin injury in recent weeks.

“Yeah, it’s good just knowing that we all can get there and we all can make things happen,” linebacker Nick Perry said Friday.

Defensive lineman Mike Daniels tops the deep list with 2 1/2 sacks and Perry has two. After they reviewed the video of last week’s game, Packers coaches credited the defense with 15 quarterback hits, one of the highest totals in Dom Capers’ six seasons as defensive coordinator.

“We’ve done a great job of not only getting after the quarterback but also disrupting him and really just changing, I think, what offense wants to throw at us, especially in light of the players which we have to shut those guys down,” Matthews said.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Matthews is getting plenty of help trying to run down the opposing quarterback this season.

Capers has been making frequent use of a rotation of four players at the two outside linebacker spots, with starters Matthews and Julius Peppers as well as Perry and Mike Neal. They have combined for 5 1/2 sacks.

“I think it’s, at times, provided a shot in the arm,” Matthews said. “I think it’s only going to help spelling myself and Peppers as well as keeping those (offensive) tackles, guards, whatever it might be in front of them, kind of on their heels, or toes.”

Peppers has made an early impact in his first season with the Packers. The 13th-year pro has 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble, as well as an interception he returned 49 yards for a touchdown against the Vikings.

“Pass rush is one of those things where you get better as the year goes along,” Peppers said. “So hopefully that’s an indication of us hitting our stride and getting better up front and getting more pressure and hits.”

The Packers defense is in good shape health-wise for the game in the Florida heat against the Dolphins. Defensive end Datone Jones is questionable to play after leaving the last game with an ankle injury.

NOTES: Packers WR Jarrett Boykin (groin) has been ruled out for the third straight game. Starting LT David Bakhtiari (back), who was added to the injury report Thursday, is probable to play Sunday. . McCarthy had high praise for Corey Linsley on Friday, perhaps an indication the rookie will remain the starting center after he replaced an injured JC Tretter to open the season. Tretter, who suffered a knee injury in the preseason, is on the injured reserve/designated to return list and eligible to resume practicing next week.

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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