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Welker back on the field after suspension lifted

By WTOP Staff

ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Pro Football Writer

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Although excited to see his suspension cut in half, Wes Welker acknowledged Wednesday that missing a couple of games was probably for the best.

Coming off his third concussion in a 10-month span, the veteran receiver had no choice but to watch on TV as Denver got off to a 2-0 start heading into Sunday’s showdown at Seattle.

“You always hate to miss any time at all,” Welker said. “But especially with head injuries, every week and every day is a good thing for it. Not the way that I would have wanted it to happen. But it is what it is.”

Welker was reinstated after the NFL agreed to a new performance-enhancing drug policy. The widely respected 11-year NFL veteran had been suspended for four games but can return Sunday under the new rules in which players who test positive for banned stimulants in the offseason will no longer be suspended right away. Instead, they will be referred to the substance-abuse program, where it takes multiple positive tests before being banned.

“I said it was flawed and we got it fixed,” said Welker, who tested positive for amphetamines in the offseason.

After Welker’s latest head injury, fans, columnists and other pundits chimed in with suggestions the pin-balling 5-foot-9 receiver should just walk away from the game for his own good.

“I appreciate their concern, I really do,” Welker said. “But at the same time, I feel great. I feel sharp and I feel ready to go.”

Whether Welker is ready to return to his perch as the league’s premier slot receiver is the question.

“We didn’t just throw him back in there and run him every rep,” coach John Fox said. “We’ll be smart about that. He is a veteran player, vary familiar with our offense, so the mental aspect is not problematic. But just getting back his timing, getting the burn in his chest, getting him in shape and getting him ready.”

Wednesday marked Welker’s first practice since Labor Day and just his second in 25 days.

“Obviously, being out a couple of weeks it isn’t easy,” quarterback Peyton Manning said. “If practice wasn’t important, why would anybody do it? So, I do think it’s important. I think this will be a good gauge to see how he feels and for us to see how he looks, as well.”

Welker said he needed to knock some rust off, but receiver Bubba Caldwell said if that’s the case, it was hard to tell.

“He’s definitely in good shape. He’s one of those guys you don’t have to worry about,” Caldwell said. “He was away for two weeks but he handled his business. He worked out and ran. So we don’t expect any drop-off.”

Welker was cleared medically last week from his latest head injury, which occurred Aug. 23. Houston Texans defender D.J. Swearinger hit him in the head as he slid following a short catch over the middle in the preseason. That drew the ire of Manning, who gave the swaggering safety a piece of his mind.

That resulted in the first personal foul flag and fine of the five-time MVP’s career. Welker said he appreciated Manning having his back.

“You don’t really see him like that too often,” Welker said. “And I think he takes a lot of pride in the fact that he got fined for it. But, you know, it’s always good to see teammates come together and try to lift each other up and take care of each other.”

Without Welker, the Broncos have relied heavily on two-tight end sets with five of Manning’s six TD throws going to tight ends.

Notes: K Brandon McManus was limited in practice with a strained groin but said, “It’s no big deal. I’ve dealt with them before and it just slows me down for a day or two. I’ll be fine for the game.” … LB Danny Trevathan jogged on the side for the first time since breaking his left leg Aug. 12. … DT Marvin Austin is expected back at practice Thursday. He’s been in North Carolina following his father’s serious auto accident Sunday. … S David Bruton (shoulder) returned to practice, and LB Von Miller (groin) was a full participant.

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

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Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton

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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