Skip to main content

Bears look to make jump with revamped defense

By WTOP Staff

ANDREW SELIGMAN
AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO (AP) — Given their history, last season sure was an odd one for the Chicago Bears.

Just as they finally managed to get things right on offense, their defense pulled off quite a disappearing act.

Well, it’s back. At least, the Bears think it’s back.

They believe thanks to a major overhaul that they now have the defense to support a prolific offense and make a run at the playoffs after an 8-8 season.

They missed the postseason for the sixth time in seven years since a Super Bowl run because they could not stop anyone. But they believe that’s about to change because they made a series of moves, most notably signing Jared Allen.

They’re deeper. They’re healthier. There still are some holes, but they also have a five-time Pro Bowl defensive end in Allen.

He replaced an accomplished player in Julius Peppers. But unlike him, Allen has not really shown any signs of slowing down.

“I’ve got plenty. I’ve been healthy throughout my career,” he said. “I feel great. I’m in great shape. I’m excited for this season. I think we can do something this year that’s really special.”

Here are some things to look for from the Bears in 2014:

LINE ‘EM UP: With Allen anchoring the line, the Bears are looking for more from their defense. It would be hard not to improve, considering how bad they were in that area.

The Bears ranked 30th overall and last against the run while tying Jacksonville with a league-low 31 sacks. Not exactly Monsters of the Midway numbers.

Allen should boost a pass rush that was sorely lacking and a run defense that gave up 2,583 yards and 5.3 per carry — both club records.

With a healthy Jeremiah Ratliff and newcomer Lamarr Houston, the line has the potential to create havoc.

CUTLER, CONTINUITY: The Bears improved from 29th to fifth in passing and 28th to No. 8 in total offense last season, their first under coach Marc Trestman.

Throw in the fact they have all their starters back and things sure look good for Jay Cutler — if he stays healthy. That’s a big “if.”

Cutler hasn’t played a full 16 games since 2009, his first season in Chicago after being traded from Denver, and he missed five last year because of injuries. When he was on the field, he was as productive as he’s ever been. His rating was a career-high 89.2 and his sack total got cut in half, dropping from 38 in 2012 to 19 behind a rebuilt line.

The reward for Cutler was a seven-year contract that kept him off the free agent market.

WHO ARE THE BACKUPS?: The Bears won’t have Josh McCown to turn to if Cutler gets hurt again.

McCown played his way to a starting job with Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay. Jimmy Clausen and Jordan Palmer battled for the backup job in the offseason, but that’s not the only area of concern when it comes to depth on offense.

The Bears don’t have a proven backup to running back Matt Forte. They scrambled to find a third receiver behind Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, particularly after Marquess Wilson broke his collarbone. They decided to give former Steelers and Jets receiver Santonio Holmes a try.

Depth behind tight end Martellus Bennett might be an issue.

TUCKER’S TIME: Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker came under criticism last season, his first in Chicago, and the heat will really intensify if the defense struggles again. The cover-2 is gone. The Bears are sticking with a 4-3 set, but the language is different. Tucker is putting his stamp on things. He has another chance after injuries and poor execution left Chicago with one of the worst defenses in franchise history.

SAFETY NET: For all the changes the Bears made on defense, there are still some big questions at safety.

Chris Conte and Major Wright both struggled last year. Wright reunited with Smith in Tampa Bay. Conte missed the start of the preseason after having shoulder surgery, and the Bears brought in competition. They added Adrian Wilson, Ryan Mundy and M.D. Jennings to the mix.

___

AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://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
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote