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Browns hope to name starting QB on Tuesday

By WTOP Staff

TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND (AP) — Finally, at long last, the Browns have a date to name their quarterback. Decision day is Tuesday for Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel.

That’s when Browns coach Mike Pettine aims to announce his starter for Cleveland’s Sept. 7 opener at Pittsburgh. His choice could be influenced by how the quarterbacks play in Monday night’s nationally televised exhibition at Washington.

“Something unforeseen could come up, but we’re hopeful because I do want to see if I can cut the quarterback questions down by about 90 percent after next week,” said Pettine, a first-year coach who for months has faced questions about his quarterbacks. “The chemistry, the continuity, it’s important to establish that.”

On Thursday, Pettine said Hoyer will start against the Redskins on Monday night, with Manziel getting snaps with the first-team offense. Pettine isn’t sure how he’ll divide their time and will see how the game unfolds before determining when each is on the field. His focus is making sure the “reps are close to equal.”

Pettine also made it clear no decision has been made.

“All of our options are still on the table,” he said.

Does that mean Manziel, the popular rookie who helped the Browns draw record crowds to training camp, can still win the job?

“Sure he can,” Pettine said. “All of our options are still on the table. He just needs to go out and play, that’s the bottom line. They both do. I’ve met with both of them and discussed the situation and they’re both comfortable with it and they both know it’s going to be up to them, when they’re out there, to go out and do their job.”

As he has stated for months, Pettine will choose the quarterback he feels gives the Browns their best chance to beat their bitter rivals.

“You’re looking for the total package — the quarterback who is best suited to take the field and lead us to a win against the Steelers,” Pettine said. “That’s the bottom line decision we have to make. There will be a lot of things going into it.”

Pettine said he will consult with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains and maybe “another guy or two in there.” General manager Ray Farmer will be there “to listen and observe.”

Hoyer started Cleveland’s preseason opener at Detroit, with Manziel playing exclusively with the backups.

Pettine isn’t disappointed with the way the quarterbacks have played or that one hasn’t taken off and separated from the other to make the decision easier.

“They both started camp at a certain point and they’ve both made improvement,” he said. “I think they’ve both made big strides. When you look at it, I feel like we’re in a good position, we have two quarterbacks that we feel have NFL starter ability, which is why it’s a difficult decision.”

Whatever decision is made, Pettine knows it’s far from permanent.

“So much can change over the course of an NFL season, the circumstances,” he said. “That’s one position where you probably have to have a little more patience that others whether a guy is not performing at a level you think he can. I don’t want whoever the starter is to feel like ‘If I make one mistake, I’m out.’ I don’t want them to feel like, ‘Hey, I’ve achieved something and this is my team for the year.'”

Pettine would not confirm or deny a report Manziel was late to a team meeting this week.

“That’s internal business,” he said. “I’m not going to discuss stuff that happens. We like to keep stuff in the family.”

NOTES: After being “tagged” by the Ravens and Jets, Pettine and several players took the ALS “ice bucket challenge” following practice. Manziel had two buckets dumped on him. … Pettine also had a comment for New York coach Rex Ryan, saying, “Rex, I know you want to punch me in the face. Anytime you want to go toe to toe, you know where to find me.” … CB Buster Skrine injured a thumb during practice. Pettine had not yet met with the training staff to know the seriousness. …. Pettine said DL Desmond Bryant (wrist) is waiting for a second medical opinion. … WR Josh Gordon, awaiting word on his appeal with the NFL, has “a chance” to play against the Redskins. … WR Nate Burleson will likely sit out Monday night. … TE Jordan Cameron has been cleared to play.

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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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