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Panthers QB Newton forming bond with WR Benjamin

By WTOP Staff

STEVE REED
AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton has a new best friend — and a new favorite target.

Newton has forged a close relationship on and off the field with wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, the Panthers’ first-round draft pick from Florida State.

Together the duo has been lighting it up in practice, connecting regularly on crossing routes and deep balls. When they’re not playing pitch and catch, they’ve been practically inseparable, even spending time together recently boating on Lake Lanier outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

Newton said from the moment he first talked to Benjamin “there was a connection.”

It all started a few hours after the Panthers selected Benjamin with the 28th pick.

Benjamin, who wore No. 1 at Florida State, called Newton and teased the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback about wanting to wear No. 1 for the Panthers — the same number Newton wore the previous three seasons in Carolina.

Newton said he “didn’t know Benjamin from Ronald McDonald” at the time and wasn’t sure what to make of the kid.

“He tells me, ‘Man, the league be tripping. They don’t let receivers get single-digit numbers,'” Newton said. “I said, ‘Well, you’ve got two problems, then. First, you’ve got the league to worry about to get No. 1 — and (then) you’ve got me to worry about.'”

Benjamin laughs about it now.

“Yeah, I asked him for No. 1 and he was like, ‘No!,” Benjamin said. “But it was a little joke just to break the ice.”

The ice is plenty broken.

It’s rare these days when you don’t see Newton and Benjamin together. They stretch together. They watch drills in practice together. They eat lunch together.

There’s a connection on the field, too.

Newton always seems to be looking for Benjamin, perhaps because he’s so hard to miss. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds Benjamin is the only receiver on Carolina’s roster who comes close to matching Newton’s chiseled 6-foot-5, 245-pound physique.

“They’re kind of the same guy off the field — both like to joke around and are very confident in what they do,” said backup quarterback Derek Anderson.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera describes the relationship as a “big brother, little brother thing.”

Newton agrees.

Newton said he’s trying to teach Benjamin the NFL ropes.

“I’m like, dude, what I went through, I’m just going to share with you. If you take it, good. If not, still good. Because at the end of the day I’m your quarterback. At the end of the day, I’m your homeboy,'” Newton said.

Newton said the two are relentlessly pushing each other — as two brothers often do.

He’s quick to poke at Benjamin when he misses a catch or doesn’t run a route correctly. And Benjamin, who at 24 years old is more mature than most rookies, isn’t shy about giving it right back when Newton throws a pick.

“We respect each other enough to be able kick it with each other, but also push each other to be great,” Newton said. “We’ve got that unique relationship that we hold each other to a standard.”

When asked why the two have bonded so quickly, Benjamin replied, “I think the competitive edge in both of us wanting to win.”

Both know what it’s like to win.

Newton led Auburn to a national title in 2011. Benjamin caught the winning touchdown last season helping Florida State top the Tigers in the BCS championship — something that still irks Newton.

“I’ve only got one beef with Benji, and he knows it,” Newton said with a laugh. “I have to remind him, every single thing that he won in college I won, too.”

They’ll get their first chance to play together Sunday night when the Panthers host Kansas City. Newton was held out of the first game while resting his ankle.

Benjamin replaces Steve Smith, the franchise’s all-time leading receiver who was released this past offseason.

Smith, a 13-year NFL veteran with a sometimes surly and intense personality, called out Newton in the media in 2012 saying the quarterback needed to stop sulking and become a better leader.

Newton’s relationship with Benjamin so far seems markedly different — and one Rivera said could be beneficial to both players’ careers.

“They know as they go forward they can be together in Charlotte for 10, 11 or 12 years, hopefully,” Rivera said.

___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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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