Skip to main content

Sproles hopes for another good start with new team

By WTOP Staff

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia’s new running back, Darren Sproles, remembers the last time he played his first game for a new team — a fairly special performance.

In his first game with the New Orleans Saints in 2011 after leaving San Diego as a free agent, Sproles ran for 75 yards, returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown and had a 57-yard kickoff return that set up another touchdown in an opening-night loss in Green Bay.

“That kickoff return should have been a touchdown, too,” Sproles said.

Other than the loss, coach Chip Kelly and the Eagles would settle for the same kind of production from their new backup running back and returner when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Sunday’s season opener.

“He’s a dynamic player as a running back or a returner,” Kelly said before Thursday’s practice. “I don’t know if any of you guys play fantasy football, but if someone said ‘Hey, you have a chance to get Darren Sproles,’ I’m in. We had a chance to get Sproles. We believed he was a dynamic football player and had seen him firsthand.”

Sproles, who turned 31 in June just after arriving from New Orleans for a fifth-round draft pick, will be used in a variety of ways by Kelly in the Eagles’ versatile, multi-faceted offense.

While he’s not the first kick returner, despite the fact it was his kickoff return in last year’s wild-card game that set up the Saints’ winning field goal against the Eagles, he will be the top punt returner.

“He can be a first down guy, second down, third down, fourth down, special teams. He’s a weapon whenever he’s on the field,” Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. “We’re handing him the ball, throwing him the ball. We’ll use him every which way we can.”

In his final two seasons with the Saints, Sproles caught more passes (146) than he had carries (101). Playing behind the league’s leading rusher in LeSean McCoy, Sproles could be used in that same kind of role for the Eagles.

“God bless him. He is hard to cover out of the backfield,” Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis said of Sproles. “And you are very aware as a defensive signal caller who is matched up against him in your man coverages.”

There will be times when Sproles and McCoy are on the field at the same time, which will make things even more interesting for defensive coordinators.

“I don’t think that’s going to be a surprise like oh my God they’re in the game at the same time,” Kelly said.

Sproles isn’t sure what’s going to happen, starting Sunday, either. He’s ready for anything.

“A lot of it will depend on the flow of the game,” he said. “But as long as I’m in space, I’ll be fine. There are a lot of weapons on this team. I think it’s going to be a fun year.”

NOTES: Rookie cornerback Jaylen Watkins, who had been out all week with a hamstring injury, returned to practice Thursday. Rookie wide receiver Josh Huff (shoulder) and backup offensive lineman Matt Tobin (ankle) remain out and will likely miss Sunday’s game.

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