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Browns look to revive dead rivalry with Steelers

By WTOP Staff

TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Browns coach Mike Pettine used a visual aid to make a point to his players this week about the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During a meeting, he put up a slide that said: “Rivalry?”

The Browns have been Pittsburgh’s patsies for a long time.

“It’s sad,” linebacker Jabaal Sheard said.

By showing his young players the lopsided history against the Steelers over the past 15 years, Pettine is hoping the Browns can revive one of the NFL’s saltiest rivalries. The Browns have lost three straight, seven of eight and 19 of 21 against Pittsburgh, which is 26-5 versus Cleveland since 1999 and 13-1 against their loathed neighbors from northeast Ohio at Heinz Field.

“From the Steelers standpoint, it’s not much of a rivalry,” said Pettine, who will make his coaching debut in a city he knows well. “It’s brutal when you truly look at it, but that’s something that’s a big part of our prep is understanding that that has nothing to do with us. That has nothing to do with this game. That has nothing to do with us moving forward.”

The Browns are opening a season on the road for just the second time since 1999. In addition to it being the first game, which is always special, it’s also against Pittsburgh and it’s also an AFC North game.

Pettine understands any game against Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati has greater significance.

“When people talk about, ‘Hey, a division game’s worth one and a half or it’s worth two’ — I truly believe that,” he said. “For us to accomplish what we want to accomplish, it goes through the division, and I think most people would agree — maybe Baltimore and Cincinnati would disagree — the road through the AFC North really does travel through Pittsburgh. It’s an important game on a lot of fronts.”

For Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer, “Steelers Week” has always been something special. Growing up in Cleveland, he developed a strong distaste for anything black and gold at a young age. He knows what the Pittsburgh game means to Browns fans because it wasn’t long ago that he was one of them.

“I have to take the personality out of it,” he said. “This is my job. I want to go out and execute well, but I know what Steelers week means to Clevelanders. We hate them. They hate us. That’s the way it’ll always be regardless of record or whatever it is.”

Pettine actually has a soft spot for the Steel City. He coached at Pittsburgh, got married there, had one of his children born there and has family living in Pittsburgh. He’s been there as an opposing coach and knows what it’s like when 50,000-plus fans begin screaming and swinging those “Terrible Towels.”

“I’ve been a part of some wins there, and there’s nothing like going there and competing. Pittsburgh’s a great football town. I see the passion, the loyalty,” Pettine said. “To me, it reminds me a lot of our fan base. It’s a crowd when they get behind the team and they’re rocking and rolling, It makes it very difficult on a visitor.”

It’s been especially tough on the Browns, who haven’t won in Pittsburgh since 2003, when quarterback Tim Couch led them to a 33-13 victory. They’ve lost 10 in a row there since and Sheard, for one, would like to see the trend reversed and the rivalry revived.

“It’s time for it to change,” he said. “I’ve been a part of programs where we’ve been down and changed the program. We’ve been that guy that’s the bully. I think it’s time for us to take that role of the bully.”

The Browns last opened the season against the Steelers in 2007, when Pittsburgh pummeled Cleveland 34-7. In 1999, the Steelers welcomed the Browns back to the NFL with a 43-0 bashing.

There have been blowouts and several tight games in between, but none of them matter once kickoff arrives Sunday.

Like Hoyer, Browns safety Donte Whitner was raised in Cleveland and is aware the rivalry needs a jolt.

“It can’t be a rivalry until both sides throw punches and win football games,” he said. “It’s not a rivalry until we beat them.”

NOTES: Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan would not say if rookie QB Johnny Manziel will play Sunday. Shanahan said he’s unaware of criticism about Manziel. “I’ve loved coaching Johnny so far, he’s a professional,” he said. “I don’t really know all the stuff that people are ripping him about, I don’t have time to read it all, but Johnny’s been great. I’m excited to see him play, think you guys will be too.” … The Browns have the league’s lowest average ticket price: $54.20. New England is the most expensive at $122.00.

___

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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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