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Redskins 2012: Orakpo looks to improve, dominate

By WTOP Staff

Megan Cloherty, wtop.com

ASHBURN, Va. – Brian Orakpo is a clear leader on the Redskins. He’s also one of the starters in the spotlight and under pressure to ensure the upcoming season is a winning one.

“We expect a lot,” Orakpo says. “I don’t want to put it out there, but this is going to be a good season for us because we really worked very hard to get to this point.”

There’s little doubt among sports columnists the linebacker will continue to lead the Redskins defense in 2012. As the team’s first-round pick in 2009, No. 98’s smooth voice and strong character have always made for a good sound bite, and that character extends to the locker room where “Rak,” as he’s known, serves as a natural role model for incoming players. He’s even keeping rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III on his toes.

Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan looked to Orakpo during his rookie season last year and quickly earned the veteran’s respect. Going into his second year, Kerrigan will help Orakpo find more stability on the line and give the five-year veteran the opportunity to increase his stats.

Orakpo has “kinda been knockin’ on that door of having elite status. He’s made a couple of Pro Bowls,” says Rich Tandler of CSN Sports. “Certainly [he’s] been a solid player, at times a dominant player. But he hasn’t been a dominant player for 14, 15, 16 games a year.”

Orakpo says he wants to work on his response after the block and diversify the moves he can pull from his arsenal. While his total of nine sacks last year is impressive, it’s down from his rookie season.

He’s said he wants to be in the NFL’s top five in sacks.

“The [coaches] expect great things from our defense and our outside backs in general,” Orakpo says.

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Orakpo’s Faves

  • Pregame ritual: Push-ups – “Gets your blood flowing,” he says.
  • Favorite snack: Little Debbie Honey Buns
  • Nickname: Rak
  • Offseason vacation: A Disney World cruise with his son

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Even in college at the University of Texas, Orakpo was known for his sheer power.

While the lefty says he’s comfortable on the left side, he also can play on the right. Both he and Kerrigan switch between the right and left sides of the line to “get different looks.” Orakpo says he’s not sure when that started, but he’ll continue to switch with Kerrigan throughout the season.

Part of Orakpo’s job in training camp is not only to improve his skills but to challenge the Redskins’ rookie quarterback, getting Robert Griffin III prepared for the rush of a much faster game.

“The problem is when you have Brian Orakpo running right after you and you can’t get your shoulders around, so we worked on it all through drills,” Griffin says about throwing to the left side.

Orakpo is a fan favorite, and he’s also picking up promotions. Washington fans will remember his GEICO commercials last season.

Then there is this Nike ad featuring D.C. native, rapper and Redskins fan Wale.

Follow WTOP Sports on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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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