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Defensive struggles prompt Washington to make changes entering Week 6

By Ethan Cadeaux

Defensive struggles prompt Washington to make changes for Week 6 originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Quarterback is the most important position on the field, but it’s hardly the only one the Washington Football Team has shaken up through five weeks of the season.

Multiple remarks from both head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio this week suggest that the team will be experimenting with some new personnel groupings on the defensive side of the ball, beginning this week against the winless New York Giants.

Through five weeks, the most obvious hole in Washington’s defense has been at the free safety position opposite of Landon Collins. Troy Apke had plenty of promise entering the season, but his training camp hype has not carried over.

In Week 5, Apke saw his snap count dip in favor of Deshazor Everett, a special teams ace who has played some safety for Washington since signing with the team in 2015. Everett didn’t necessarily impress, but he did earn more playing time, according to Del Rio.

“I thought Shaze [Everett] gave us a little bit more juice, so I’d like to continue to get him involved,” Del Rio said Thursday. “Troy has had a lot of opportunities. Shaze has earned his way to get a couple more looks.”

Although he praised Everett, the defensive coordinator didn’t knock Apke, either, saying he has a “bright future.” But, at least for the present, it appears that Everett will be given a shot at the full-time role.

“There are things that [Apke] needs to get ironed out and get better at,” Del Rio said.” We’ll continue to work and develop him. It’s just that, at this point, we feel like Shaze gives us something that we covet and he’s going to play more.”

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When Washington inked Kendall Fuller to a four-year deal this offseason, the team cited the defensive back’s versatility as a major reason for the addition. In Kansas City, Fuller played all over in the Chiefs secondary, spending significant time at both nickel and outside cornerback, as well as snaps at free safety.

Three games into his Washington reunion, Fuller has been fantastic. He’s hauled in three interceptions already and been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, according to PFF.

Yet, with the team’s struggles at free safety, there has been some chatter among fans if Washington’s defense, as a whole, would be better served moving Fuller to free safety, allowing Fabian Moreau to resume the outside cornerback duties.

Rivera was asked about that possibility on Wednesday, and the head coach didn’t necessarily rule out that possibility.

“The thing that we’ve got to look at really is who is the best fit for the situation and circumstances,” Rivera said. “We’ve got four guys that came in and our four safeties. We’ve got to find a combination of who’s the best fit out there at free right now, who’s the guy that can work with Landon. That’s probably the thing that we’re looking at and trying to develop. So, as we go through this, we’ll find out which of those guys is the best guy.”

The secondary isn’t the only group that Washington needs more out of on the defensive side of the ball. Both Del Rio and Rivera — former NFL linebackers themselves — have gone on the record this week voicing their displeasure for the lack of consistency among the Burgundy and Gold’s linebacker corps.

“If there is one position we’re really, on the defensive side, I’d like to see a little bit more from it is the linebacker position,” Rivera said. “I’d like to see them be a little bit more consistent and productive. They’ve had good numbers, but we’ve given up some plays. In my opinion, that can be directly related to that position. I’d like to see that position play better for us.”

Luckily for Washington, the team is anticipating the return of second-year pro Cole Holcomb, who has been sidelined since Week 1 due to injury. As a rookie last season, Holcomb trailed only Jon Bostic in tackles on the team.

Both coaches said they believe Holcomb’s return will make a major difference for Washington’s defense overall.

“Cole is getting healthy. Hopefully, we’ll get Cole involved,” Del Rio said. “I think Cole’s got a chance to be a good player for us.”

“We anticipate Cole Holcomb being able to play for us. He’s not on the report,” Rivera said. “He hasn’t had the opportunity, so we’re going to give him the opportunity and we’re going to see how that goes.”

The Burgundy and Gold’s defense was supposed to be the team’s strength in 2020, but thus far, they’ve underwhelmed. The unit had given up 30 or more points in its last four games, a major reason why Washington has not won any of its contests since the opener.

When Rivera made the switch from Dwayne Haskins to Kyle Allen at quarterback last week, the head coach cited the team’s upcoming favorable schedule as a chance to make up ground.

But if Del Rio’s unit doesn’t improve on its performances from this past month, Washington will be in no position to compete for the division, regardless of how much the offense may improve.

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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