FanHouse Kevan Barlow

The comments coming out of Pittsburgh after Kevan Barlow's first day of minicamp make it sound like he has just as much chance to be the third-down back as he does to serve as the power back compliment to Willie Parker. Mike Tomlin mentioned his understanding of blitz pickup in his first comments on the new Steeler.

"I like Kevan Barlow," said Tomlin. "I've competed against him several times since he's been in the league. He has feature back capabilities, he can run down-hill on people, he has caught quite a few passes. He came up in this league having a respect for blitz pickup, having been taught by Garrison Hearst and Tom Rathman. Of course, he's a Pittsburgh native and loves the Steelers. He's been bounced around by the profession a little bit of late. He needs an opportunity, a fresh start, and he expressed an interest in being part of us. We have an interest in him. I'm looking forward to seeing how that sorts out on the practice field."

When the talked about it last week, Kevin Barlow's agent said that the veteran running back could be signed in time to attend the Steelers minicamp that begins on May 11.

Apparently that's what is going to happen. Pro Football Talk is reporting that the NFL Network's Adam Schefter is reporting (yes, this is a third-hand report you're reading) that Barlow has reached a deal with the Steelers and will be in town for minicamp.

Actually Schefter is reporting that the Steelers are close to signing Barlow. But he follows it up by saying that Barlow will be in Pittsburgh Thursday and will report to minicamp, which sounds an awful lot like this is a certainty, not just a hypothetical.

Barlow's one-year deal isn't likely a whole lot more than the veteran minimum--especially since he's returning to his hometown--which makes a perfect low-risk option. If he comes in and shows some of he form that he had in his first several years in San Francisco, he'll make the team and be a very solid backup to Willie Parker. If he shows up out of shape, or tippy-toes to the whole like he did some last year in New York, he'll be dumped before the season ever begins.

The skipped getting a big back in the NFL draft, but apparently the Steelers aren't ready to give up on finding a new partner for Willie Parker.

The Tribune-Review reports that the Steelers are talking with former 49ers and Jets running back Kevan Barlow. Barlow's agent says that a deal could be completed in time to have Barlow at the team's minicamp next weekend. Signing Barlow wouldn't clearly solve the Steelers need for a big back, but it does give them another option to try out in training camp.

At one point Barlow seemed on his way to becoming an NFL star. In 2003, he rushed for 1,024 yards, averaged 5.1 yards per carry and scored six touchdowns. But ever since then, Barlow's been slowly working his way out of the league. His average yards per carry since then are depressing: 3.4 in 2004, 3.3 in 2005 and a horrendous 2.8 in 2006. Last year he was part of a three-way competition for the starting job, but he quickly fell out of favor in New York--in 131 carries, his longest gain was 12 yards. He didn't run with the power that the team expected, and was quickly sent to the sideline in favor of Leon Washington and Cedric Houston. The Jetrs released him after the season.

Running back Dominic Rhodes parlayed a stellar Super Bowl performance into a nice little pay day when he signed with the Raiders last month. The Colts are still looking for his replacement, however. Last year's first-round pick, Joseph Addai, had a tremendous rookie season, but Indianapolis featured a running-back-by-committee approach in 2006 and aren't looking to change things next season.

To that end, the Indianapolis Star is reporting the team has talked with former 49ers and Jets running back Kevan Barlow. According to Barlow's agent, the club told him that: "Right now, they want to get through the draft and see where they are."

Barlow struggled with the Jets in 2006 -- ranking 48th in running back total value, according to Football Outsiders -- and he wasn't much better in San Francisco (he ranked 50th in 2004 and 2005).

Knowing that, I think it makes sense to see how the draft shakes out too. Unlike last year, the club won't be looking for a running back in the first round -- there are too many needs on defense -- but they could use a first-day pick to fill the void left by Rhodes.

Considering the amount of attention Chargers running back Michael Turner has received lately, it's hard to believe that him visiting Buffalo went relatively unnoticed today. Yet somehow it did and Turner came and went without so much as a national whisper.

There is no telling exactly how the meeting went or if the two sides were even on the same page. Either way, Turner would cost the Bills a ton. It would start with their first and third round draft picks and conclude with a large contract. Something that Turner is potentially worth if he catches on with a team and starts -- an unlikely scenario for the Bills who plan to use a running back by committee next season.

As a "back-up plan" of sorts, the Bills are also keeping their eye on free agent running back Kevan Barlow.

Update: As some readers mentioned, Turner never made it to Buffalo. He got hung up in Tennessee and has yet to meet with the Bills.

According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, the agent for Kevin Barlow said that the Buffalo Bills were one of four teams that have expressed interest in his client. His agent, Doug Hendrickson, also indicated that the odds are slim that Barlow will sign anywhere before the draft. He thinks the best tactic will be waiting it out because there are only two "good backs" in the NFL draft.

It's been determined that the Bills plan to use a running back by committee this coming season and that one of those spots will go to a rookie running back. However, that doesn't mean there won't be room for Barlow. There could be up to five active running back spots and only three are filled currently; one held out for the draft and another for a possible free agent.

Obviously that is all subject to change but appears to be the projected path at the moment. I'm not sure why the Bills are aiming at a pack of second and third tier running backs but again, that appears to be the plan. Given that direction, Barlow seems like a perfect fit for the committee -- and by no means am I saying that as a positive thing.

We all know that Nolan is the Monty Hall of the NFL, and that if he had the opportunity to trade his grandmother, he would. I wanted to take a look around the league and see how the crop of players Nolan traded away have fared through the first week of the season. We'll continue to check periodically throughout the season to see who ended up with the better end of the deals, so far the advantage goes to the 49ers.

Kevan Barlow: Barlow was perhaps the only player to actually contribute anything worthwhile to his team. He finished the day against the Titans with a whopping 35 yards and one touchdown. It was nice to see he kept his rushing average right around three yards per carry.

Ken Dorsey: Sunday against the Saints, Dorsey was 3 for 3 in origami swans, and managed to stay within the lines while coloring.

Brandon Lloyd: Lloyd opened the season on primetime, his chance to shine. He finished the evening with zero catches, but he did manage to write some new verses for his next rap album.

Cody Pickett: Well considering he didn't make the Texans squad, the 49ers didn't receive anything, so in a sense he was released. Pickett is currently working as a rodeo clown, and bussing tables at the local Bob's Big Boy.

Tim Rattay: Sunday against the Ravens, Rattay was inactive. Rumors are he gave Gruden's Hummer a nice detailing.

Mike Rumph: Rumph also opened the season on primetime, he managed to record three tackles and not get hurt.

Jamie Winborn: Winborn did see some action against the Ravens, but he produced nothing, however he did help out Rattay and rotated Gruden's tires.

Rashaun Woods: Woods is currently out of football, he was seen over the weekend participating in Turtle Wax's Bass Fishing 3000. He finished fourth by the way.

After watching the 49ers performance on Sunday, the early consensus is that the 49ers haven't lost out on trading away any of these players. Now if they could somehow manage to trade Kwame Harris...

Mike Nolan is the Monty Hall of the NFL. In just under two years Mike Nolan has been a trading fool. During that span he has traded away a total of nine players, that is unheard of in today's NFL. The last time the Niners traded a player for player was back in 1988, if my math is correct that is 17 years, and in two, Nolan has done it nine times. I bet Nolan would trade his grandmother for the right price. The humor in all of this is that those nine players were all drafted by former general manager, Terry Donahue. I guess it is safe to say that Donahue sucked at his job. Of course we already knew that didn't we Niner fans? We didn't need Mike Nolan to trade away players in order for us to see that, but I will not get into the whole Donahue thing, that is a story all in itself.

Now let's take a look closer at those drafts and see who got the better end of the deal.

- John Engelberger for Willie Middlebrooks. Denver won out on this one. Mainly because Engelberger actually produced something. Middlebrooks spent more time getting cut than playing.

- Jamie Winborn for a seventh-round pick. Too early to tell on this deal. Nolan took this seventh-round pick combined it with another and used it to move up in the draft and draft Melvin Oliver. The funny thing about this is that Nolan traded the seventh he received from Jacksonville back to them to move up.

"He's a liar"

Days after being traded to the New York Jets, former 49er running back Kevan Barlow lashed out at his former head coach, and Barlow did not hold back any punches. In one instance he even called Nolan, "Hitler."

"He has to much power as a first-time head coach. He walks around with a chip on his shoulder, like he's a dictator, like he's Hitler. People are scared of him. If it ain't Nolan's way, it's the highway."

Of course, shortly after those comments Barlow changed his tune.

"I was kind of harsh on him, saying he's a dictator. That's bad. Saddam Hussein is a dictator," Barlow said a few hours later. "I was speaking on emotion."

The liar comment came about because of Nolan allegedly telling him not to worry about the trade talks. Then days later he was told he was traded to the Jets.

"It was dirty. He had no respect for me or the organization,'' said Barlow.. "He doesn't know about the 49ers way, and that's too bad because even his dad (Dick) was coach of the 49ers. Bill Walsh set the standard there, and he ain't living up to it.''

Let me start off by saying sorry Niner fans, for bringing up more Ashley Lelie trade talks, but after the Barlow trade to the Jets and the acquisition of another fourth rounder. It seems as if the Niners might not be done trading. I'm aware that last week Mike Nolan mentioned that they had no interest in acquiring the disgruntled Broncos receiver, but at the same time he told Barlow he was not going to trade him. So with Mike Nolan you just never know.

After the Barlow trade the Niners are looking at three fourth round picks in the 2007 draft. Take that and add the compensatory picks they should receive for Andre Carter and Julian Peterson. The Niners could be looking at anywhere from four to five fourth round picks, with the Peterson pick most likely a third based on performance. I can not forsee the Niners going into the season with Bryant, Gilmore, Jacobs, and a banged up Arnaz Battle at the receiver position. So do not be surprised to see Nolan and Co. turn around and take the pick received in the Barlow trade and use it to acquire Ashley Lelie.