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Smith learning from the best in Vikings secondary

By WTOP Staff

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — Harrison Smith might get a tip from head coach Mike Zimmer, or defensive coordinator George Edwards will have something to say.

Defensive backs coach Jerry Gray is always available to help.

That’s three current or former defensive coordinators offering their knowledge, and the Minnesota Vikings safety is smart enough to pay attention.

“There’s always going to be some hiccups, but those guys do a great job of teaching,” Smith said. “You listen to guys with that much knowledge.”

Smith is trying to learn a new defense, potentially with a new partner at safety. He’s become a stabilizing force at a position that had seen a lot of turnover before he arrived as a late first-round draft choice in 2012.

“He’s a true pro,” Edwards said. “He does all of the things off and on the field that you are looking for out of a safety. It has been a blessing to have him out there and him take charge of what is happening communication-wise. He has been the one position that has been pretty solid as far as him being there every day.”

For two seasons, Smith has played in the cover-2 defense, which has the safety playing a lot of zone coverage, deep down the field. He said that the biggest difference in the new, more aggressive scheme is closing the space between the defender and receiver and attacking the ball, whether it’s coming up to stop the run or trying to defend the middle of the field.

“Coach Zimmer wants us to compete for the ball,” Smith said. “Most of the elements of this defense are the same. I need to get stronger at all aspects of my position.”

Zimmer, who has some history coaching defensive backs, said he worked a lot with Smith early in the offseason on technique, given that he’s played so little man coverage.

“He goes as hard as he can,” Zimmer said. “He wants to be very good.”

In just two seasons, Smith has solidified himself as the top safety on the team. In his first season, he started all 16 games and earned All-Rookie honors after making 104 tackles and three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Last season, he played in only eight games because of a toe injury, making 58 tackles and two interceptions.

“That guy can really play some football,” cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said. “I’m happy to be his teammate. You can mess up back there, and you know he’s going to cover your rear.”

Smith still doesn’t know who will be the other starting safety. Jamarca Sanford played there for much of last season, but Robert Blanton had been working with the starters at training camp until he injured his hamstring on Monday, which could keep him out for a month. This week, Mistral Raymond and rookie Dante Exum have worked some with the No. 1 defense.

“Right now, we’re just building chemistry with the whole defense,” Smith said. “In the secondary, things aren’t always going to go perfectly so you have to be ready to work with whoever is in there. It’s not up to me to decide who’s in there, but whoever it is, we’ll work together.”

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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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