Skip to main content

Panthers unsure who’ll protect Newton’s blindside

By WTOP Staff

STEVE REED
AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers coach Ron Rivera still isn’t sure who’ll protect quarterback Cam Newton’s blindside this season.

But he doesn’t seem overly worried.

The Panthers have been searching for a replacement for longtime left tackle Jordan Gross, who retired earlier this offseason.

Byron Bell, last year’s starting right tackle, and Nate Chandler, a converted defensive tackle, have been working as the starting tackles during OTAs. They’ve been flip-flopping from left to right tackle, depending on the day.

Neither has played left tackle before in the NFL.

Rivera said veteran Garry Williams, who is coming off a knee injury, could also figure into the mix once healthy.

“We’ve not decided on a lot of positions yet,” Rivera said. “The biggest thing we have right now is competition and guys working. … We’ll see how we are once we get into training camp.”

Newton hasn’t participated in OTAs except to throw on the side.

He said he could be ready for minicamp next week, but at the very least should be completely healthy when training camp begins July 24.

“Come game time, it’s no doubt in my mind that every single person will be ready to go. That is what OTAs and minicamp are designed for — to get these guys prepared, to get myself prepared,” Newton said. “When that ball is snapped I have full confidence in Nate Chandler and Byron Bell that they will get the job done.”

While many teams invest millions in protecting their quarterback’s blindside, the Panthers seem to be taking a chance with lower-priced players who haven’t played the position.

Bell and Chandler will make a combined $2.6 million this season.

Both players insist they don’t have a preference on which position they play.

“We’re both getting an equal opportunity to win a job, which is nice,” Chandler said.

Said Bell: “I really don’t care. Either position, wherever coach sees being the best fit for either one of us is fine. I’m just trying to win football games. If that means left tackle, right tackle or on the bench, wherever the team needs me is fine.”

Filling Gross’ shoes won’t be easy.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Gross started 167 games during his 10 seasons with the Panthers and was a member of the Super Bowl team as a rookie in 2003.

The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Chandler is an intriguing story.

He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012 out of UCLA. He started his career with the Bruins as an offensive lineman, but later moved to tight end as a sophomore and then to defensive tackle for his final two seasons.

When he arrived in Carolina he saw spot duty at defensive tackle a rookie, playing in 10 games with five tackles in 2012. But coaches thought with Chandler’s combination of quickness and size he might be more valuable on the offensive line, so they moved him there last year in training camp.

Chandler started eight games in 2013 — six at right guard and two at right tackle — due to injuries.

Bell was also undrafted.

He came out of New Mexico in 2011 and was thrust in the mix as a rookie. He’s started 41 games over the past three seasons for Carolina — all but one of those at right tackle.

“I’m left handed, so I’ll feel comfortable over there,” said Bell, who started three years at left tackle at New Mexico. “But if it is right tackle, I’m certainly fine over there.

“The big thing is we as an offensive line have to do is go in with the mindset that we have to keep No. 1 (Newton) upright. And if you have a bad play, you have to forget about and move on the next one because that (pass rusher) will be coming again.”

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
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote