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Marshall believes Cutler set for big season

By WTOP Staff

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (AP) — Just five days into training camp Wednesday, Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall elevated quarterback Jay Cutler to an elite status usually reserved for Peyton Manning, Drew Brees or Tom Brady.

Marshall first insisted during an interview with NFL Network that Cutler can be the MVP this season, and a few minutes later defended his belief, as well as the Bears quarterback.

Marshall said Cutler is different not only from when the two broke in together in Denver in 2006, but also from last season when they played in coach Marc Trestman’s offense for the first time.

“It’s night and day,” Marshall said. “He’s a totally different person, totally different athlete.

“He’s the first one in the building, and that (stinks) because I try to be the first one in the building. He’s there at, like, 5 a.m. He lives it. I think he has a great balance to his life now with his personal stuff.”

Marshall sees Cutler not only as an MVP candidate, but developing into more of a leader — something Cutler has been criticized for in the past.

“I just think we’re more efficient, he’s leading us and it’s a trickle-down effect,” Marshall said. “From a leadership standpoint, he’s bringing everyone along with him, he’s making everyone better.

“As far as how efficient he is, it just makes our offense that much better and gives everyone confidence.”

Trestman backed Marshall’s statement about Cutler’s improvement in his second year within the offense.

“He’s able to get guys in the right position, change routes quickly and get the best and most out of each and every play,” Trestman said. “That is kind of where he is. He is kind of fixing it at the line of scrimmage when he needs to get it done.”

Cutler achieved a career-best passer rating of 89.2 last year, but has been known more for his big arm than victories or efficiency throughout his career.

Because of injuries, Cutler hasn’t played a complete season since 2009, his first with the Bears.

Marshall said part of the reason he sees Cutler as MVP material is he has options in receivers including himself, Alshon Jeffery, running back Mart Forte and tight end Martellus Bennett, but also because of the offensive system, Trestman and offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer.

“It’s not about me, it’s not just about Matt or Jay, it’s about the group,” Marshall said.

Cutler and former backup Josh McCown led the Bears to second in the NFL in scoring last year, but the Bears were 5-6 in games Cutler started as the defense declined greatly due to age and injuries.

Cutler got better pass protection last season, and the Bears await the return of a key part of the offensive line.

Starting right guard Kyle Long has been cleared to return to practice on a limited basis after missing the first five practices due to a viral infection.

“He’s got to get his legs back underneath him. I think by Saturday night you’ll see him in pads,” Trestman said.

Trestman said the 2013 first-round draft pick has some catching up to do.

“So he’s missed out, no doubt about it, and we’ll to accelerate the process as soon as he gets back in there,” Trestman said.

NOTES: Eben Britton, who replaced Long at right guard in practice, suffered a left hamstring injury during pass rush drills Wednesday and is day to day. … Jeffery returned to practice from a foot injury. … Cornerback Tim Jennings is practicing on a limited basis after recovering from a quad injury suffered in the first practice.

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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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