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Lions rookies also eager for preseason debuts

By WTOP Staff

NOAH TRISTER
AP Sports Writer

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit rookie Nevin Lawson has enough to worry about before his first preseason game, so he isn’t too caught up in all the hoopla about Johnny Manziel.

“I’m just excited because it’s my first NFL football game, more than anything,” Lawson said. “It’s just another opponent. This is my first time in an NFL game, so I’m more excited for myself.”

Although Manziel — the former Heisman Trophy winner drafted in the first round by Cleveland this year — will be in the spotlight when the Lions host the Browns on Saturday night, every rookie on the field is going to be under some amount of scrutiny.

For first-year players such as Lawson, this is a chance to look the part of an NFL contributor.

“The big thing we’re trying to do is see if they can get lined up properly and execute their techniques properly, making certain if they’re on defense, how well they tackle, how well they run to the ball,” Lions coach Jim Caldwell said.

“See how they match up with the speed of this league, with a different team other than our own.”

Detroit’s first-round pick — tight end Eric Ebron — has been dealing with an undisclosed injury. He stood on the sideline in a baseball hat Thursday while his teammates were practicing.

If Ebron is limited, the most anticipated debut among Detroit’s rookies Thursday would probably be that of Kyle Van Noy.

The 24-year-old linebacker has a chance to give the defense an immediate boost after the Lions took him in the second round. Van Noy figures being a rookie is actually a benefit at times.

“You’re expected to fail, almost,” he said. “You’re going in with the mindset that you’ve got to improve every time you get to step on the field. That’s another chance I get to improve, that’s how I look at that. … I’m getting more reps, I’m getting more practice, I’m getting thrown in the fire and that’s what I want.”

Lawson may be under more pressure. After losing veterans Chris Houston and Louis Delmas, Detroit’s secondary is a concern heading into the season. The Lions didn’t address that area in the draft until they took Lawson in the fourth round. The cornerback from Utah State can give Detroit a major lift if he progresses quickly enough.

The key in the opening preseason game is to make a positive impression without trying to do too much — with so many substitutions, pretty much every player will be dealing with limited opportunities.

“Just be yourself and when you’re out there, just handle what you can handle,” Lawson said. “Control what you can control.”

Manziel is not expected to start Saturday, but his debut will be one of the most anticipated moments of the NFL preseason. Lawson and Van Noy may have a chance to line up against him for a few plays.

“I think he’s a great player,” Van Noy said. “I’ve seen him on TV. He makes some spectacular plays.”

NOTES: Caldwell said Calvin Johnson had an excused absence from practice Thursday. Caldwell said he expects Johnson to be available for Saturday’s game, but he did not say whether the star receiver would play. … Detroit signed veteran CB Drayton Florence before practice. Florence started five games for Carolina last season. He started three for the Lions the previous season.

___

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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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