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Raiders hope rebuild pays immediate dividends

By WTOP Staff

JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The time for excuses for the Oakland Raiders is over.

After spending two years tearing apart a struggling team beset by bad draft picks and out-of-whack contracts, general manager Reggie McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen finally got the chance to build the type of team they wanted since coming aboard before the 2012 season.

Two years of bargain-basement shopping led to back-to-back four-win seasons that left the fan base and owner Mark Davis frustrated. McKenzie was able to open the wallet this offseason, committing to more than $100 million worth of contracts for new players in trades and free agency in hopes of ending an 11-year playoff drought.

“What’s been done here in the past is unacceptable and we need to begin to win some football games,” Allen said. “We’re all in on that philosophy and that’s kind of our attitude.”

The Raiders used most of that money this offseason on short-term contracts for aging players with a history of success in the NFL, guys with questions about whether they would still be able to reach those levels at advanced ages.

There has been a notable impact on the team’s mindset already after adding players such as Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley, Maurice Jones-Drew and James Jones.

“This year we have that sense of urgency here,” said fullback Marcel Reece, one of three Raiders position players who have been with the franchise since 2008. “There’s more veteran leadership on both sides of the ball. It’s encouraging to have a group of guys around you that have the same sense of urgency.”

Whether that translates to more success on the field will depend heavily on the performance of quarterback Matt Schaub, slated to be Oakland’s 18th starting quarterback since 2003. Schaub was run out of Houston after last season when he set an NFL record by having an interception returned for a touchdown in four straight games.

Despite a rocky preseason and a sore throwing elbow, the Raiders believe Schaub can solidify the revolving door at quarterback and once again be the player who posted five straight seasons with a passer rating above 90.

“You can’t make it anywhere in this game without having confidence through the roof,” Schaub said. “You’re going to go through ups and downs as a player. It’s how you bounce back from it.”

Here are some things to watch with the Raiders this season:

SHINY NEW CARR: Even before Schaub took his first snap in Oakland, the Raiders drafted his replacement when they picked Derek Carr out of Fresno State. Carr has a stronger arm and is a better athlete than Schaub. He could take over the job sooner than expected if Schaub struggles to start the season or is hampered by a sore throwing elbow that forced him to miss some practice time. Carr still must show he can stand in against NFL pass rushers and be as effective operating from under center as he was in the shotgun at Fresno State.

REVOLVING CORNER: For the third straight offseason, the Raiders brought in a pair of new starting cornerbacks. Oakland hopes Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers fare better than Shawntae Spencer and Ron Bartell in 2012, and Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter last season. Rogers was originally slated to be the nickel cornerback but moved into a starting role with last year’s top pick DJ Hayden still sidelined by a stress fracture in his right foot.

RUN TO DAYLIGHT: Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden are coming off rough seasons when both averaged less than 3.5 yards per carry. The two former 1,000-yard backs showed signs of resurgence this summer as both were in good health and tiptop shape. With a big offensive line suited to a power running game, Jones-Drew and McFadden are set up to have strong seasons that could take pressure off the passing game.

MIGHTY MACK: No. 5 overall pick Khalil Mack gives the Raiders a potential impact pass rusher they have lacked in recent seasons. Mack is still learning the pro game but has shown the strength and athleticism to get to the quarterback. With the additions of Tuck, Woodley and Antonio Smith on the defensive line, the Raiders might not need to rely as heavily on blitzes last year, which should help shore up a suspect secondary.

HOME SWEET HOME: The Raiders are playing this season with a one-year lease at the dilapidated Oakland Coliseum. Davis has said he is not interested in another short-term lease and wants to get a deal for a new stadium in Oakland before committing to stay here. Davis has already met with city leaders in San Antonio and also has interest in moving the team back to Los Angeles if no deal is reached in Oakland.

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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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