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Bush eager to boost Lions’ running game

By WTOP Staff

NOAH TRISTER
AP Sports Writer

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Reggie Bush’s workload hasn’t been all that high this season, splitting time in the backfield with Joique Bell.

That means it’s tough for Bush to settle into a rhythm — but it also means he could be fresher down the stretch for the Detroit Lions.

“You can make a case for both,” Bush said. “Last year, me and Joique, we got beat up early in the season.”

The Lions signed Bush as a free agent before last season, hoping he would help add a new dimension to their offense. The elusive running back ran for 1,006 yards, the second-highest total of his career. Add in his receiving totals, and he finished with a career-best 1,512 yards from scrimmage.

So far this season, Detroit’s running game has been quiet — and that’s something the Lions hope to change when they host Green Bay on Sunday.

“In this league you have to be able to run the ball consistently in order to be I think a solid football team, a real good football team,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “So we’ll continue to work on those things.”

The 29-year-old Bush has already had an eventful pro career. Drafted by New Orleans out of Southern California in 2006 with the No. 2 overall pick, he helped the Saints win a Super Bowl before spending two seasons in Miami. After the Lions signed him, he made an impact right away, gaining 191 total yards in his first game in Detroit.

But he dealt with knee and calf injuries last year, missing two games and reaching 20 carries only once after Nov. 1. Bell gives the Lions another running back who can help take some of the pressure off Bush.

So far this year, Bush has only 41 yards on 15 carries. Bell has 87 yards on 25 carries.

“The performance in terms of yards can often times be a little vague, but you like to be over four yards a carry,” Caldwell said. “That’s where you’d like to be. That gives you a chance to be pretty productive week in and week out.”

Bush would also like to reach the end zone, which he hasn’t done yet this season. He’s teaming up with the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens on an initiative to help Boys & Girls Clubs of America. For each touchdown Bush scores this season, $2,500 will be donated to a Boys & Girls Club, in Michigan or in whatever city the game is being played.

Despite the slow start this season, Bush has fit in well with the Lions, and he’s had nothing but nice things to say about the city.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here in Detroit,” he said. “It’s built on tough, working-class people.”

The success-starved fans in Detroit have been treated to some offensive excitement in recent seasons — with Bush, quarterback Matthew Stafford and star receiver Calvin Johnson putting up impressive numbers. The next step is for the team to become a consistent winner.

“When we don’t beat ourselves, we can score a lot of points,” Bush said.

This season, Detroit rolled to a 35-14 win over the New York Giants in a Monday night opener — then turned the ball over three times in a loss to Carolina. Against the Panthers, the Lions seemed to become a bit too reliant on Johnson to carry the offense — a problem that Bush can help solve if he’s productive.

“I think when he’s gotten the opportunity he’s found seams and holes,” Caldwell said. “He’s catching the ball well, we just have to find ways to get it to him a couple more times with a little more space.”

___

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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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