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49ers spread out offensive attack

By WTOP Staff

JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Jim Harbaugh has made a coaching career out of bucking convention.

While the rest of football seems to be moving to more wide-open offense and spread formations, Harbaugh’s success at both Stanford and with the San Francisco 49ers has been built on power.

Instead of using as many little receivers as he can, Harbaugh has preferred to use formations with seven offensive linemen or three tight ends.

Whether it’s because of injuries or new personnel, that philosophy is showing signs of changing in Harbaugh’s fourth season as 49ers coach.

“I wouldn’t categorize it,” Harbaugh said of the offense. “In terms of identity, we want to be about moving the football, picking up first downs, scoring points, scoring touchdowns.”

There’s been more passing so far this season.

The 49ers (1-2) used three or more receivers on nearly three-quarters of their plays in last week’s 23-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals after using those formations fewer than any other team a year ago.

The spread attack helped quarterback Colin Kaepernick lead two long touchdown drives to open the game but San Francisco failed to score after that and lost for the second straight week.

“There was some real positives there,” Harbaugh said. “I thought the receivers played extremely good. Some strong catches, run after the catch. Did a great job with ball-security. All those guys that were touching the ball. Colin, the whole team was competing. They played extremely hard. Colin made some big plays, extending plays, running with the football.”

The 49ers used three or more wide receivers on just 22 percent of their plays in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus, including just three all season that had four or more wideouts.

They have used three receivers on nearly 60 percent of their plays through three games this season, including 14 with four receivers and 14 more with 5 last week against the Cardinals.

Part of that reliance on extra receivers had to do to injuries that sidelined tight ends Vernon Davis and Vance McDonald last week. But the 49ers also made a concerted effort this offseason to add more wide receivers after going much of last year with Anquan Boldin as the only reliable option at the position.

But with Michael Crabtree healthy after missing 11 games a year ago with an Achilles’ injury and the additions of Stevie Johnson, Brandon Lloyd and Bruce Ellington, the Niners have an abundance of threats outside that can add some variety to their attack.

“We have a lot of great receivers,” Kaepernick said. “It’s going to depend on the mismatches.”

The flip side of the spread attack is that it neutralizes star running back Frank Gore, who had 10 yards on six carries against the Cardinals. Gore has carried the ball just 35 times in three games, a significant drop from his usual usage.

“Whatever works, I’m with it,” Gore said. “If it’s passing, it’s passing. If it’s running, we run it. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win.”

The spread formation has not led to those wins yet as the Niners have lost back-to-back games to Chicago and Arizona.

With Davis possibly back this week after sitting out against the Cardinals with an ankle injury, the 49ers might not use it again. But it is in their arsenal and opposing defenses will have to prepare for it.

“I don’t think anything is surprising when you play against a Jim Harbaugh or Greg Roman team,” Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. “They’re going to use every weapon available to them. They’re always working to gain an advantage. I wasn’t surprised when they did it. It was one of those things you chuckle to yourself. They have another wrinkle now.”

NOTES: Davis was out at practice but did not participate in individual drills during the open media session. … RT Anthony Davis (hamstring) was back at practice after missing the first three games. … CB Tramaine Brock (toe) remains sidelined.

___

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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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