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Bradford loss puts crimp in Rams plans

By WTOP Staff

R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jeff Fisher keeps repeating the mantra: We’re going to be fine, it’ll be business as usual with no decrease in production.

The St. Louis Rams coach has no other choice but to press on without Sam Bradford and place total trust in journeyman Shaun Hill.

“He actually completed some passes today,” Fisher said after the first practice without the first overall pick of the 2010 draft and with the 34-year-old Hill under center. “He actually knows where to go with the football, believe it or not.”

It’s a very small favor, but at least this year the Rams (7-9) have a little time to adjust to the hard reality. They probably have a better fit to plug into the offense, too.

When Bradford tore his left ACL in Game 7 last season, there was an abrupt shift to a ground-heavy offense under backup Kellen Clemens. They’ll still emphasize handoffs to Zac Stacy, Benny Cunningham and third-round pick Tre Mason. But Hill also will get a chance to air it out a bit to the likes of newcomer Kenny Britt and improving youngsters Tavon Austin, Brian Quick and Stedman Bailey.

Hill’s first start since 2010 will be against the Vikings, who signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland back in 2002. He didn’t throw a pass last year as the backup to Matthew Stafford in Detroit and totaled just 16 passes the last three years.

The last extended action came in 2009 when he made 10 starts and threw 16 touchdown passes with 12 interceptions.

“Life of a backup, you might not go in for a few years, but you have to stay ready,” Hill said. “At the same time, it kind of feeds your fire.

“It makes you want to get back out there, and when the chance comes, you’re excited and you’re ready for it.”

Things to watch for from the Rams, chasing their first winning season since 2003:

WHO’S NEXT?: Not long after Bradford got the bad news Sunday, the name game of speculation began. For the fantasy crowd, any backup with a track record in the NFL or college, or with a past relationship with Fisher or offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, was fair game.

Fisher keeps shooting down rumors and reports the Rams are shopping for upgrades over Hill and untested backups Austin Davis and Garrett Gilbert, the latter a rookie. Anyway, it’s way too late to plug in a brand new starter.

“You know what I like is, ‘According to sources close to the situation, we’re da da da da da..'” Fisher said. “I love that, OK? We’ve not had any discussions with anybody.”

MINI-MITE: The Rams traded up to get diminutive Austin with the eighth overall pick last year, and Year 1 was a mixed bag. Austin had a handful of brilliant highs mixed with stretches of low productivity. He was sidelined by injury for the first time in his career, missing the last three games with a high ankle sprain.

He’s healthy again, plus now he knows the playbook. Last season, he confessed, everything looked like a foreign language.

At his best, the 5-foot-8, 176-pound Austin is a fancy toy who can be deployed all over the field and outrun everyone.

NO DISTRACTIONS: Fisher and GM Les Snead had the guts to draft Michael Sam late in the seventh round, and by all accounts adding the NFL’s first openly gay player to the mix has been a nonfactor in the locker room.

Sam’s celebrity status was briefly an issue, but Fisher quickly squelched an Oprah Winfrey Network documentary. Prominent teammate Chris Long noted that every team is made up of individuals from all backgrounds and many colors, rich or poor, straight or gay, and that it was everyone’s responsibility to pull together.

It wasn’t long before the biggest question was whether the SEC co-defensive player of the year could win a spot as a backup defensive end, perhaps the Rams’ strongest position. One possible scenario: Sam doesn’t make the final cut and then is added to the practice squad.

NEW DIRECTION: Most snaps on the practice field are punctuated by Gregg Williams’ commands. Defensive players know better than to coast.

Williams was Fisher’s original pick as defensive coordinator in 201, but Williams was suspended for his role in the New Orleans Saints’ bounty scandal. Reunited with a long-time friend, he constantly prods a unit that aspires to top 10 status.

Bradford’s injury means the pressure is really on a group loaded with top picks and free agents to keep opponents’ scoring down.

THROWBACK TIME: Fifteen years ago, the Rams struck gold with unknown Kurt Warner, who stocked grocery store shelves while out of a job. Hill is not quite that much of a long shot heading into his 11th season, although he did once work at a fireworks store.

Throughout the season, the Rams will honor the 1999 “Greatest Show on Turf” Super Bowl title team that held off Fisher’s Titans, 23-16. Perhaps that’ll be inspiration, too, for a franchise on the rise with consecutive seven-win seasons under Fisher.

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AP NFL websites: 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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