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Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey off to ‘MVP’ start to 2020 season

By Andrew Gillis

Ravens' Marlon Humphrey off to ‘MVP’ start to 2020 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Last Sunday, as the Ravens went against the Bengals, quarterback Joe Burrow threw to receiver Mike Thomas with All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey in coverage nearby. 

Unlike dealing with most cornerbacks, the most dangerous part of Humphrey’s game comes after the catch, so that’s what Thomas had to contend with after coming up with the ball.

Humphrey wrapped Thomas up and as he rotated around to make the tackle, swung his right arm directly into the football in Thomas’ left arm. Linebacker Patrick Queen scooped up the fumble and took it all the way back for a touchdown.

In his fourth season as a Raven, Humphrey has come into his own as not only one of the Ravens’ best players, but one of the best cornerbacks in the sport.

“MVP,” Ravens DL Pernell McPhee said after the game. “No, that’s a great guy, man. I’m happy for him. He studies the game. He treats the game right. He plays the game right. He plays it with a swagger – an attitude. He stays focused. Shoot, he keeps me in it when he comes on the field sometimes, yelling…He’s a ballhawk. So, yes, MVP — best cornerback in the league. Him and ‘Juice’ (Marcus Peters).”

Through five games this season, Humphrey has one interception, three forced fumbles and has allowed a completion percentage of 62.5 percent with zero touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference.

He was named a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in the 2019 season, which led to his $98.75 million, five-year extension to stay in Baltimore. 

“I think he just picked up where he left off last year,” defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale said Thursday. “He was a dominant Pro Bowl, All-Pro corner last year — both he and Marcus. The thing that he’s doing now is he’s starting to communicate even more than what he has in the past, and it’s great to see.”

With Peters, who signed an extension last year, and Humphrey in the mix as the team’s top two cornerbacks, they boast perhaps the top one-two punch in the league. 

While Peters has a nose for the football when it’s in the air, Humphrey has a knack for turning the ball over after it’s already caught. Between the two of them, they’ve forced seven turnovers in five games.

“I’ve just been impressed with how he’s attacking the football,” Martindale continued. “Whether the receiver caught it, because we were in tight man coverage and he didn’t have a chance to see it, or whether we’re in zone coverage and he’s attacking a ball if they’re throwing it his way, which a lot of times they’re not.”

That’s led to a tricky situation for opposing offenses, as the Ravens’ No. 1 ranked defense has two cornerbacks that have a propensity to force turnovers as good as anyone in the NFL.

“We were sitting there talking on the sideline,” Queen said. “We were like, ‘Bro, you see Marlon, why do you still run the ball?’ Just get down. It doesn’t make any sense. He does this over and over and over. But it’s football at the end of the day. They’re trying to get yards and Marlon is just Marlon. I’ll live with that situation any day.”

Queen, who played at LSU — a fierce rival of Humphrey’s alma mater, Alabama — has been so impressed he’s had to compliment a former member of the Crimson Tide. But he still doesn’t want to hear “Bama” around him.

That praise hasn’t been just from the defense, as the entire team has taken notice of the difference Humphrey has made through five weeks of the season.

“I knew Marlon was great,” Queen began. “I didn’t know he was this great, though. This was like something I’ve never seen before. That’s all the hard work that he’s putting in coming to light. So, I’m happy for him. I just can’t wait to see what he’ll do next.”

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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