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Jets release troubled RB Mike Goodson

By WTOP Staff

DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Mike Goodson’s strange stint with the New York Jets is over.

The troubled running back was released Wednesday after he failed to show up for the team’s mandatory minicamp. General manager John Idzik announced that Goodson, coming off major knee surgery and dealing with legal issues, was let go with a designation of “left squad.”

“Obviously, it’s disappointing,” Idzik said. “Like we do with all of our players, we gave Mike, we feel in good conscience, every opportunity here with the Jets. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out and we made the move, ultimately, that we felt was best for the team.”

Goodson, who signed with the Jets in March 2013, played in just two games for New York before tearing two knee ligaments last October. He faces weapons charges and up to 10 years in prison after being indicted in November. He was found in a car along with an acquaintance with a handgun and a hollow-point bullet in May 2013. He was also suspended the first four games of last season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

“It’s unfortunate it never worked out,” coach Rex Ryan said. “We wish him the best moving forward.”

On Tuesday, the start of the team’s three-day minicamp, Ryan said he didn’t know the reason for Goodson’s absence and acknowledged that he hadn’t spoken to him and wasn’t aware of anyone else in the organization having been in contact with the running back.

He reiterated that Wednesday, adding that he hasn’t seen or heard from Goodson in two or three months.

“There’s no question it concerns me,” Ryan said. “I’ve tried to reach out to him and haven’t been able to make contact with him.”

Idzik wouldn’t reveal whether he had been in touch with Goodson to inform him of the team’s decision.

“Suffice to say, we gave Mike, I think, ample opportunity,” Idzik said.

Goodson’s spot on the roster was tenuous entering minicamp. He was sixth on the depth chart at the running back spot, behind Chris Ivory, Chris Johnson, Bilal Powell, Daryl Richardson and Alex Green. It was also uncertain as to how close Goodson was to returning to the field as he rehabilitated his injury, but the Jets expected him to at least be present since minicamp is mandatory for all players.

“This league is all based on showing up on time,” owner Woody Johnson said before the team announced the move. “One minute later, you’re late. You have to respect that. … He’s a talented player, but you’re no good to the team if you’re not here.”

Goodson was the only player not in attendance for the Jets. As recently as April 30, Idzik said the Jets were assuming Goodson would be on the team’s roster this offseason.

“I would say, just in general, it’s an accumulation of things,” Idzik said. “These aren’t knee-jerk decisions that you make.”

Goodson was Idzik’s first major free agent signing, giving him a three-year deal for $6.9 million. Idzik would not say whether the Jets would try to recoup some of the signing bonus they gave to Goodson.

Goodson, 27, was a fourth-round pick of Carolina in 2009 out of Texas A&M. He played three seasons as a versatile pass-catching back and kick returner with the Panthers before spending the 2012 season with the Oakland Raiders.

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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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