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Lions off to another 3-1 start

By WTOP Staff

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — For the second straight season, Detroit Lions are off to a 3-1 start.

The Lions are also in sole possession of first place in the NFC North after a 24-17 win at the New York Jets on Sunday.

“If anybody should know better than to get caught looking ahead, it’s us,” running back Reggie Bush said. “Last year is a perfect example of that.”

Detroit was alone in first place entering Week 10 last season, and squandered the division lead and failed to make the playoffs.

It’s still too early to know if Detroit has turned the corner under first-year coach Jim Caldwell in 2014.

However, the poise and savvy the Lions displayed in the fourth quarter against the Jets was a promising sign entering Sunday’s home game against Buffalo (2-2).

“I think you have a number of guys that understand what the situation is and understand the problems they’ve had maybe previously in some situations,” Caldwell said Monday.

“You have a group of guys with enough leaders that have sort of taken that cause on themselves to make certain that they don’t do it on a consistent basis.”

Caldwell was talking about seemingly minor plays or issues that have hurt Detroit in the past.

One example is Bush’s 16-yard carry on second-and-5 during the Lions’ victory-clinching drive.

Bush made sure to stay inbounds after picking up a first down, forcing the Jets to take their second timeout with 2:38 remaining.

“(That) was as big of a play as there was in the ballgame,” Caldwell said. “If he runs out of bounds in that situation, it saves them a timeout and it changes the whole dynamic of what we’re trying to get done.”

It wasn’t the first indication that things are changing under Caldwell, who places a heavy emphasis on situational awareness.

One week earlier, Detroit’s offense held the ball for the final 6:54 of a 19-7 home win over Green Bay.

“To see the offense seal the deal, it’s the best drive in football,” cornerback Rashean Mathis said. “It’s the best feeling in the world for a defensive guy, especially after you’ve played a hard defensive game.”

Considering the Lions’ reputation as a team that starts fast and falters down the stretch, the latest 3-1 start is less about what they’ve done and more about how they’ve done it.

Detroit’s defense has given up 267.2 yards per game, best in the NFL, and the offense had 272 yards passing against the Jets with an injured Calvin Johnson getting just two catches for 12 yards.

“Our team does have some grit,” Caldwell said. “We were able to close it out and I think that’s extremely important.”

Detroit was also without tight end Joseph Fauria, who suffered an unusual ankle injury.

“(My dog) did something bad and ran away from me,” Fauria said Monday. “I wasn’t running down the stairs, but I was going a little faster than usual and I missed the last two steps.”

Rookie tight end Eric Ebron, a first-round draft pick, had four catches and a 16-yard touchdown reception against the Jets in Fauria’s absence.

Now the focus shifts to a Bills team that announced Monday it will bench starting quarterback EJ Manuel in favor of veteran backup Kyle Orton, who is 4-0 against Detroit.

With Chicago, Green Bay and Minnesota all at 2-2, the Lions understand better than most that a one-game division lead doesn’t mean much in September.

“We know it’s a long season,” Mathis said. “We know we have a long ways to go. We also know if we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot, we’ll be smiling at the end of the day.”

___

Online:

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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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