Skip to main content

Healthy Romo key with Dallas defense in disarray

By WTOP Staff

SCHUYLER DIXON
AP Sports Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Even if Tony Romo’s surgically repaired back holds up, the Dallas Cowboys could have a difficult time matching the 8-8 finish they’ve had for three years running.

A beleaguered defense that gave up the third-most yards in NFL history last year is in disarray, and it won’t be long before the season opens against San Francisco.

More than likely, the Cowboys will simply have to outscore opponents to avoid matching the franchise record of five straight years without a trip to the playoffs.

“It’s been a tough three years in a row, so you want to have that breakthrough that you talk about,” said Jason Witten, who needs 201 yards receiving to join Tony Gonzalez and Shannon Sharpe as the only tight ends in league history with 10,000. “We’ve just got to go show it. We know what it takes. The only way to do that is to work hard every day.”

Romo, Witten and receiver Dez Bryant hold the keys to that breakthrough, along with running back DeMarco Murray and an offensive line the Cowboys have invested in heavily with three first-round picks the past four years.

The makeover up front started in 2011 with tackle Tyron Smith, who recently signed an extension that gave him the second $100 million contract in franchise history after Romo. Dallas added center Travis Frederick in 2013 and guard Zack Martin this year.

Bryant, who has 2,615 yards and 25 touchdowns the past two seasons, is motivated by his desire for a new contract — but more by the fact missing the postseason again will mean all five of his seasons in Dallas have ended without a playoff game.

“Of course it burns me, especially because of how much I love this game,” said Bryant, who was drafted in the first round the year after Dallas’ only playoff victory since 1997. “Not only it bothers me, it bothers everybody else. You feel like you work hard and the results don’t come out right.”

Things to watch as the Cowboys try to break a .500 rut that includes a 136-136 record going back to 1997, and season-ending losses to NFC East foes that kept them out of the playoffs each of the past three years.

GARRETT’S HOT SEAT: Owner Jerry Jones said when training camp opened that Garrett wasn’t coaching for his job. But the backup quarterback on Dallas’ championship teams of the 1990s is in the final year of his contract, and his fourth full season. Only twice has Dallas missed the playoffs five straight times — the franchise’s first five years starting in 1960, and a stretch that included Jones’ first two seasons as owner. “I really don’t think about it at all,” Garrett said.

LB QUANDARY: The Cowboys are having trouble settling on a plan to replace Sean Lee, who tore a knee ligament in the first offseason practice. They would like former top 10 pick Rolando McClain to start in the middle, but they’re bringing him along slowly after he sat out in 2013 and twice walked away from football during a brief stint in Baltimore. Justin Durant was in the middle, but is more suited to an outside spot. Bruce Carter is coming off a subpar season. Rookie fourth-round pick Anthony Hitchens is an even bigger part of the mix now that second-year player DeVonte Holloman has been advised by doctors to quit playing because of a neck condition.

ANOTHER PLAY CALLER: Romo has his third play caller in as many seasons in Scott Linehan. Jones raves about the relationship, and Linehan was spending a lot of time with Romo even when his 34-year-old quarterback wasn’t taking competitive snaps in offseason workouts. Linehan also seems intrigued by Murray’s backup Lance Dunbar, a speedy change-of-pace back. “Scott is a really gifted play caller,” Romo said. “We will talk for hours sometimes.”

D-LINE WITHOUT D-WARE: Franchise sacks leader DeMarcus Ware’s departure could loom large if the Cowboys are as porous as they were defensively last year. Free agent tackles Henry Melton and Terrell McClain missed most of training camp and the preseason. Rookie second-round pick DeMarcus Lawrence, their heir apparent to Ware in more than name only, is out until probably midseason with a broken foot. Undrafted rookie Davon Coleman has been starting in the preseason, and unheralded second-year man Zach Minter was one of the exhibition stars. “I liken this defense to a no-name type defense,” executive vice president for personnel Stephen Jones said.

ROMO’S BACKUP: Kyle Orton bailed on the final year of his contract after starting the finale against Philadelphia last season, a loss that was sealed by his late interception. The Cowboys quickly grabbed Brandon Weeden, who was released by Cleveland just two years after getting drafted in the first round. He’s 5-15 as a starter, but the Cowboys seem committed to him should anything happen to Romo.

___

Online:

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

___

Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler

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