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Seattle looks to make most of limited draft picks

By WTOP Staff

TIM BOOTH
AP Sports Writer

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — John Schneider understands the entertainment and excitement when it comes to the first round of the NFL draft.

It’s what transpires in those later rounds on the final two days that has separated the Seattle Seahawks from the pack since Schneider and coach Pete Carroll took over in 2010.

“I think the first round is a beautiful thing because it’s so exciting and everybody is really into it. It’s entertainment. I get it,” Schneider said. “But it’s all about the work that all the scouts put in throughout the fall, all the way through the draft and into rookie free agency.”

Schneider and the Seahawks hold the No. 32 pick in the first round, but it’s the paltry amount of selections that follow for Seattle that stands out with the draft approaching. The Seahawks hold only six picks heading into Thursday night, and it would be the fewest selections by Seattle since 2006 if that number holds. Schneider and Carroll have made no fewer than nine picks in any of their previous drafts in charge and ended up making 11 selections last year.

The measly number of picks — at least in terms of Seattle’s recent history — has raised speculation Schneider could be looking to move out of the last spot in the first round so he could acquire more selections on Days 2 and 3.

Schneider said even if the Seahawks hold their six picks, it hasn’t changed their approach to the draft.

“It’s just a matter of how it starts coming off,” Schneider said. “This year is going to be really unique because of the quarterbacks and how they come off. There are some really talented quarterbacks that should go really high in the draft.”

Here are five things to watch as the Seahawks draft as NFL champions for the first time:

FIFTH-ROUND FINDS: While Seattle has pulled some gems from the middle rounds, something about the fifth round has proved extremely fruitful for the Seahawks. In 2010, Seattle landed strong safety Kam Chancellor. A year later, it was All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman falling to Seattle in Round 5. And last year, Seattle found value in tight end Luke Willson in the fifth round; he went on to catch 20 passes.

No surprise, Seattle has a pair of fifth-round picks.

“I think coach Carroll and his staff have that natural, they played with young players at USC. They’re used to it. They don’t have a preconceived notion that you need a veteran,” Schneider said. “The easiest thing to do is sign a veteran. The toughest thing to do is sign a young player and coach them up and spend extra time with them and develop them and get them ready to play. And this staff has shown an ability to do that year in and year out.”

LINE GAPS: Seattle will need to fill at least two offensive line spots after right tackle Breno Giacomini and left guard Paul McQuistan left in free agency. Michael Bowie, a seventh-round pick last year, will likely get the first shot at right tackle, but filling the guard spot could come from the draft. The likes of guard Xavier Su’a-Filo from UCLA or tackle Morgan Moses from Virginia could possibly be options for Seattle late in the first round.

BIG TARGET: Everyone loves big wide receivers, especially Carroll. They were a staple of his offenses at USC and Seattle has tried to emulate that first with Mike Williams and then Sidney Rice since Carroll arrived. Rice, who has been injury-plagued since signing with Seattle, is returning, but the Seahawks could use another receiving option with Golden Tate going to Detroit in the offseason.

RUN STUFFER: Seattle let go of Red Bryant and Chris Clemons and saw Clinton McDonald sign elsewhere, leaving depth questions on the defensive line. The Seahawks believe Greg Scruggs and Jesse Williams, both injured last season, will be able to help fill the voids. But look for Seattle to try and add depth up front after seeing the benefits of having a rotation last season.

THE SURPRISE WILL BE … Aside from their success in the later rounds, the Seahawks have pulled a few surprises in the draft, especially with their early picks. Whether it was taking Bruce Irvin in the middle of the first round or the decision to draft Russell Wilson after signing Matt Flynn as a free agent, Schneider’s group is good for at least one eyebrow-raising selection.

___

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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