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Colts have plan in place for Mathis’ suspension

By WTOP Staff

MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Robert Mathis is sticking to the plan during his looming four-game suspension.

The Colts linebacker coaches have provided instructions about the drill work he needs to do. The strength coaches have helped devise a weightlifting routine. And coach Chuck Pagano has given Mathis the green light to hire whatever personal trainer he wants.

It’s all part of a strategy to ensure the 33-year-old linebacker is ready to go when he returns to action in early October.

“He’s going to have a routine. He’s going to have a regimen as far as working out, weight room-wise, conditioning-wise,” Pagano said Tuesday. “Football, he’s got to continue to hone and develop his skill set. Football, he’s got to own and continue to develop a skill set.”

The Colts started planning for this moment almost as soon as the league announced Mathis had violated the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy. Mathis claims he used a fertility drug to help his wife get pregnant and acknowledged he had not checked with the league office to see if it might lead to a positive test.

Mathis was allowed to practice throughout the offseason, at training camp and even after the team returned to its Indianapolis headquarters two weeks ago. He also could play during the preseason, though he hasn’t taken a snap in the first three weeks and isn’t expected to play Thursday night in Cincinnati, either.

On Saturday, Mathis must be out of the team complex by 4 p.m. The Colts can’t have any contact with Mathis again until he’s reinstated, presumably in time to practice for the Baltimore game on Oct. 5.

Just how clear is the league’s policy restricting contact with coaches and teammates?

“Can’t go to the game, can’t buy a ticket, can’t park cars, can’t sell hot dogs, popcorn, nothing,” Pagano explained when asked if Mathis could even attend Colts games.

When Pagano was then asked what would happen if he inadvertently bumped into Mathis somewhere such as a grocery store, Pagano deadpanned: “If he’s in the deli section, I’ve got to be in the produce aisle.”

To drive home the point, Pagano then pulled out a marker, wrote the number zero on a card and then showed it to reporters to reiterate the point that Colts can’t have any contact with Mathis while he’s gone.

A year ago, Mathis set a franchise record with a league-high 19 1/2 sacks. The rest of the Colts combined for 22 1/2 sacks.

The timing of the suspension couldn’t be worse. The defending AFC South champs open the regular season with a Sunday night trip to Denver, against Peyton Manning and the high-scoring Broncos, then play the up-tempo Eagles in their home opener, a Monday night game in Week 2.

There are promising signs that the Colts can survive without Mathis.

Outside linebacker Erik Walden had one sack Saturday night against New Orleans and second-year linebacker Bjoern Werner, Indy’s first-round draft pick in 2013, has become a disruptive force in Mathis’ old spot. Two new free agents, defensive lineman Arthur Jones and inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, also have given the defense a more aggressive look.

“I’m excited where we’re going as a unit, altogether as a whole team. We’re just going to keep working hard to achieve our goal,” Jones said.

But the biggest challenge might not be what the Colts do without Mathis.

It’s making sure their best pass rusher can go full speed when he returns.

“I know Robert, and everybody in this building knows Robert, will stick to that plan and be ready to roll once he gets back,” Pagano said. “He’s got something to prove, something to give back to those guys.”

Notes: Pagano said the Colts may talk about signing free agent offensive lineman Richie Incognito after Saturday’s final cutdown. He said the Colts would only make the move if “it makes sense.” Incognito could help shore up a young, inexperienced interior line that has thinned by injuries. … Defensive tackle Montori Hughes returned to practice Tuesday after missing about two weeks following the death of his 3-month-old daughter, Maveah Alice Hughes. … Pagano wouldn’t say who he would hold out of Thursday’s game, explaining that it should be obvious.

___

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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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