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Moore anxious to get on field for Steelers

By WTOP Staff

WILL GRAVES
AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Lance Moore played a cheerleader role when a lingering groin injury forced the Pittsburgh wide receiver to miss the first two weeks of the season.

The eight-year veteran provided Justin Brown with a second set of eyes, offering counsel and encouragement when he could. That kind of leadership is one of the reasons the Steelers brought Moore in after a standout career in New Orleans.

It’s just not the main reason. And after being an unwilling spectator, Moore will get a chance to start earning the two-year, $3 million deal he signed in March when the Steelers (1-1) play at Carolina (2-0) on Sunday night.

“I just had to be patient,” Moore said. “Muscle injuries aren’t something you can just hurry back. I’m feeling good now and worried about this week.”

Moore will work in the slot hoping to replicate the success he enjoyed with the Saints, where he carved out a niche as a savvy route runner who could read coverages and work his compact 5-foot-9, 190-pound frame into tight spaces.

“He understands how to get open in zones, how to beat man,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “To me it’s just the fact he’s been playing for such a long time in this league, he can bring a lot of experience and leadership to a young group.”

The Steelers have developed a reputation of turning the slot into the fountain of youth. Four-time Pro Bowl player Hines Ward spent his final seasons in the slot, long enough to play until age 35 and reach 1,000 career receptions. Jerricho Cotchery caught 10 touchdown passes in 2013, good enough for him to earn a five-year deal with Carolina.

Now it’s Moore’s turn to take advantage of the one-on-one coverage he expects while opponents focus on star Antonio Brown and second-year wideout Markus Wheaton.

“If you have kind of a one-trick pony offense, then defenses can do things to shut that one guy down,” Moore said. “If you have two guys defenses can still do things to shut you down. When you have three or even four guys that can go out there and make plays it makes it so much tougher on defenses not to just defend you but scheme against you and that’s something I hope to add.”

Given a choice, Moore would love to be on the field every play. He understands that’s not part of his job description with the Steelers. It wasn’t in New Orleans and he still managed to catch 38 touchdown passes as part of the dynamic attack led by quarterback Drew Brees. Still, nagging injuries caught up with him in 2013. He finished with 37 receptions — the second-lowest total in a season in which he played at least 13 games — and the Saints cut him in March to save money.

Moore isn’t bitter. He understands the business side of things. And in a way Pittsburgh is a homecoming. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio and played collegiately at Toledo, where he teamed with Steelers backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. The good friends are improbably reunited with the Steelers, though Moore understands his future relies on how quickly he gels with Roethlisberger.

Neither player believes that will be a problem. In a way, Moore’s ability to find open grass and Roethlisberger’s penchant for extending plays should lead to plenty of opportunities.

“Lance is a guy that is capable of helping us,” coach Mike Tomlin said.

Even in the running game. While admitting blocking isn’t a strength, Moore is willing to mix it up when necessary. The Steelers need a slot receiver who isn’t afraid to take on a linebacker. Their ability to run effectively when going to the no-huddle offense relies on it.

“We’re not getting the ball on every single play,” he said. “You’ve got to do your job on the plays when the ball is not coming your way.”

Still, Moore anticipates seeing Roethlisberger look in his direction more than once against the Panthers. The two developed a quick rapport during organized team activities and training camp. The groin issue is just a speed bump Moore is only too eager to get past.

“We’ve had plenty of time, not much the last couple of weeks but plenty of time in the offseason and the training camp to get on the same page,” he said. “Now it’s about going out there and actually doing it.”

NOTES: Rookie RB/WR Dri Archer (ankle) and G Ramon Foster (ankle) were limited in practice Wednesday. … NT Steve McLendon (shoulder) was a full participant.

___

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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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