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Young CB Hayward’s return could get Packers INTs

By WTOP Staff

GENARO C. ARMAS
AP Sports Writer

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Casey Hayward extended for a one-handed interception at the Packers’ minicamp Tuesday, looking nothing like a player who had missed nearly a season to injury.

Green Bay would like to see their young cornerback making those big plays again this fall.

The secondary was restocked this spring with rookie safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix drafted in the first round and third-year corner Hayward back on the field after playing just three games in 2013. Coach Mike McCarthy hopes they can be key contributors in a defensive resurgence.

“Every time Case is on the field, you can feel his presence. He’s a very competitive, very instinctive exceptional athlete. Ball skills — you could put him on offense,” McCarthy said.

Hayward didn’t have an interception last year after leading NFL rookies the previous season with a team-high six picks. Getting him back full time would solidify a cornerback position led by veterans Tramon Williams and Sam Shields.

Micah Hyde, a fifth-round pick last year, has been getting time at safety in offseason workouts, along with Clinton-Dix, opposite returnee Morgan Burnett. A starting spot is available there after last year’s starter, M.D. Jennings, left as a free agent for the NFC North rival Bears following a disappointing season.

“I’m a utility player. If a D-lineman goes out, I’m going to take that position. I’ll try to put on a little bit of weight,” Hyde said Tuesday. “But no, I literally, I’m a defensive back. Whatever position is needed, I’m going to try to help out and do the best I can.”

The Packers didn’t get an interception from the safety position last year. McCarthy, in general, has hoped to find more impact players on defense, while also limiting injuries. Part of his solution this offseason has been an attempt to simplify the defensive schemes somewhat to get more players up to speed on covering different roles, if necessary.

“We’re where we need to be right now,” McCarthy said. “I feel very good about our defense. We have never been this far as far as the mental consistency.”

The “less scheme, more personnel” plan has helped younger guys pick things up quicker, Williams said, though it hasn’t changed his approach.

“Not really that much of a difference for me. For me, you have to always find things to work on,” said Williams, entering his eighth season. “I think that’s what makes guys great, when you feel like you know it all. You know exactly what’s going on, but you can still find more to do to get better.”

This might be especially true for Hayward, hampered by a hamstring injury during a 2013 campaign that tested his patience.

He said he studied the game while sidelined and even helped then-rookies like Hyde pick things up. Hayward has described himself as being “90 percent” back this offseason from the injury, with the goal of being 100 percent once training camp starts in late July.

Hayward sure seemed OK after leaping to grab that interception Tuesday.

“He had time to sit back and become a student of the game in his time off. You hate for missing time doing it, but sometimes you know that’s what helps you out a lot, just sitting back and watching,” Williams said. “He’s been doing that, you can see it in his game, you can see it in the meeting room.”

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Online:

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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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