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And the lover's spat between Mike Nolan and Kevan Barlow continues. Last year, the 49ers traded the disappointing running back to the Jets. Barlow, the consummate professional, acknowledged that he knew it was a business decision compared Nolan to Hitler, which isn't fair, because there's no way Nolan could pull off that mustache.

Well, if anything rubs Nolan the wrong, it must be being compared to genocidal dictators (talk about having a thin skin). He used the subject of Zak Keasey, a Princeton linebacker (Jersey represent!) the 49ers converted to fullback, to offer this on Barlow:

"I don't want a talented guy just because he's talented," Nolan said. ... "Kevan Barlow has some talent, but he's just -- get him out of here. And you have guys like Zak Keasey, who just has a heart of gold. The son of a gun just might make it because he's tough as nails."

I like Nolan, but c'mon, talk about getting it wrong. Kevan Barlow doesn't have talent.

By the way, the draft pick that the 49ers received for Barlow? They dealt it to Seattle for Darrell Jackson. So the 49ers essentially traded Kevan Barlow for Darrell Jackson. As long as Jackson doesn't go all Najeh Davenport on the 49ers locker room, I think it's safe to say the 49ers won that deal.

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.