LATROBE, Pa.
Cheap Jerseys USA . -- At 5-foot-7, LaRod
Stephens-Howling doesnt feel out of place during some of the Pittsburgh Steelers
more size-oriented training camp drills. The running back has held his own
during short-yardage and goal-line exercises and has looked right at home in
"backs-on-backers" protection drills. It has helped that playing for the
Steelers has made Stephens-Howling feel like hes home -- even if he didnt join
the team until just this past off-season. A western Pennsylvania native who
played at Pitt, Stephens-Howling is awash in familiarity during his first season
with Pittsburgh. His hometown of Johnstown is about 45 minutes from the training
camp site at St. Vincent College, and Stephens-Howling shared a practice
facility with the Steelers while in college at Pitt. Even his new home stadium,
Heinz Field, also is his old home stadium. Pitt and the Steelers share the
venue. "Its a great feeling -- a homecoming feeling," Stephens-Howling said
between workouts Saturday. "But after all that excitement gets out of the way,
were still at training camp and were working hard to get a job on the 53. It
doesnt matter where youre at, thats it." Stephens-Howlings roster spot would
appear to be safe, even in a crowded backfield. A fifth-year pro, he was brought
in to compete for third-down back and kick returning roles. Both are tasks he
showed a proficiency for over four season (57 career games) with the Arizona
Cardinals. A seventh-round pick in 2009, Stephens-Howling has amassed 4,067
yards and three touchdowns in the kick return game over his career in addition
to seven touchdowns off plays from scrimmage. "Hes definitely given us some
versatility," said Isaac Redman, who broke last seasons camp as the starting
running back. "He can catch, and hes pretty quick. When you get him out in space
hes hard to tackle. Youre not going to catch him from behind." Speed has always
been the hallmark for Stephens-Howling, who led Pitt in rushing his freshman and
sophomore seasons but backed up future NFL All-Pro LeSean McCoy late in his
college career. Pure speed is what has made him such an attractive option as a
returner. On offence, while lack of size has shied NFL teams away from
considering Stephens-Howling as an every-down runner, an ability to catch balls
out of the backfield helps make him an ideal third-down back. Lacking
prototypical options at both kick returner and third-down back after last years
8-8 season, the Steelers signed Stephens-Howling as a free agent in April. "When
I visited the Steelers, they talked about the opportunities they had at
third-down back stuff and in return," Stephens-Howling said. "It looked good for
me to come here and have the opportunity to compete for those jobs. At the same
time its closer to home; Ive been across the country for four years so its nice
to be closer to home." Stephens-Howlings father took him to the Steelers annual
training camp night practice at Greater Latrobe High School when he was a kid.
While in college, Stephens-Howling remembers frequently watching the Steelers
practice from a window in the practice facility Pitt and the Steelers share.
Although he has yet to appear in a regular-season game at Heinz Field, his first
preseason game as a professional was there in 2009. Just four years later, hes
the player at his position on the Steelers with the most NFL tenure. "Hes
brought a lot of experience and helps out a lot already," said Jonathan Dwyer,
Pittsburghs leading rusher last season. "Hes having a great camp so far. He
brings a lot of exciting things to the table in the passing game and the running
game. "Dont let his size fool you; hes a tough guy. He doesnt shy away form
contact. Hes not scared of anybody." Stephens-Howling proved that Saturday when
he was given the ball during short-yardage and goal-line drills. During one
goal-line play he absorbed one of the most vicious hits of the practice,
protecting his quarterback and allowing a touchdown pass. During individual
blocking drills earlier this week, coach Mike Tomlin audibly enjoyed how the
185-pound running back was frustrating linebackers who often had six inches or
more and at least 50 pounds on Stephens-Howling. "Blockings something I work on,
and I try to get better everyday," Stephens-Howling said. "Im definitely not
satisfied with my blocking right now, but as the games go on Im going to get
better." In order to ensure a role in the backfield on third downs, he knows
hell have to prove he can block as much as he will need to show he can catch. A
career-high 17 of Stephens-Howlings 56 career receptions came last season.
Coaches have talked about getting him the ball in space to take advantage of his
speed. "Hes fast and he can also run the ball up the middle," Redman said.
"Mostly, though, hes a good guy -- a genuinely good person -- and thats what we
needed in our running back room. Personality-wise, he clicks right with us." The
hope is he will on the field, too. Notes: The Steelers signed veteran OT
DAnthony Batiste on Saturday and placed OT Nik Embernate on the waived/injured
list. The 31-year-old Batiste had 10 of his 14 career starts last season for the
Cardinals. He has appeared in 37 games over seven NFL seasons for six teams. The
6-4, 314-pound Batiste opened last season as the Cardinals starting left tackle
and adds to tackle group that lacked depth behind projected starters Mike Adams
and Marcus Gilbert. Embernate is an undrafted guard from San Diego State who
sustained a knee injury earlier this week. ... Among the myriad players who sat
out Saturdays practice for injury or personal reasons were TE Matt Spaeth, DE
Brett Keisel, LB Jarvis Jones, RB LeVeon Bell, CB Cortez Allen, CB DeMarcus Van
Dyke, CB Terry Hawthorne, LB Jason Worilds and LB Lawrence Timmons. "Im not
going to get into the details on (minor injuries)," Tomlin said. "Many of these
guys will be working their way back here in the next 24-48 hours." ... Tomlin
ran another physical practice, saying the abundance of youth on the offensive
and defensive lines has necessitated a camp with more live tackling and contact.
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also left injured defenders Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba out
of its squad for the trip to Glasgow. That means that Marc Bartra will probably
start again in the centre of the defence alongside Gerard Pique. PITTSBURGH --
The Pittsburgh Steelers spent a week letting their worst loss in 27 years
fester. Catharsis came during a frenetic stretch in the first quarter Sunday
night against the seemingly unprepared Kansas City Chiefs.Six offensive snaps.
Three Ben Roethlisberger touchdowns passes. Two to Antonio Brown. One very
important reminder of just how good Pittsburghs offense can look when all of its
dynamic parts are moving in sync.Seven days after a 31-point meltdown in
Philadelphia, the Steelers overwhelmed the Chiefs 43-14 behind five touchdowns
passes from Roethlisberger and 178 yards of total offense from running back
LeVeon Bell.I told the guys before the game, were driving a car and we dont have
a rearview mirror right now, Roethlisberger said. Were not looking back. Were
looking forward. Were moving on. We did a pretty good job moving on.Sure looked
like it.Roethlisberger hit Brown -- wearing cleats featuring the profile of golf
great and western Pennsylvania native Arnold Palmer -- for a pair of scores.
Roethlisberger also found Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Jesse James
for touchdowns on his way to finishing 22 of 27 for 300 yards.When youve got a
Hall of Fame quarterback, it looks good like that, center Maurkice Pouncey said
the Steelers improved to 3-1.It helps when the franchise running back is allowed
to join in too. Bell returned from a torn MCL that cut short his 2015 season and
a three-game suspension for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy and looked
every bit as dangerous as he did when he was an All-Pro in 2014, which also
happened to be the last time Bell, Brown and Roethlisberger started and finished
a game together.I didnt really feel like I was rusty, Bell said. I was more
anxious if anything.There was no need, not on a night Pittsburghs struggling
defense repaid a pre-game pep talk by Hall of Fame linebacker Kevin Greene by
throttling the Chiefs (2-2). The Steelers forced a pair of first-quarter
turnovers that Roethlisberger promptly turned into touchdowns during a
franchise-record 22-point deluge. Pittsburgh, which came in with just one sack
on the season -- dead last in the league -- but getting to Kansas Citys Alex
Smith four times and never allowing the Chiefs to get into a rhythm.
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Jerseys. We wanted to getem one dimensional and takeem to the deep
end of the pool, Steelers linebacker Vince Williams said.Smith was 30 of 50 for
287 yards and two inconsequential fourth-quarter touchdowns after things were
well out of hand. Spencer Ware ran for 82 yards but also fumbled in the first
quarter that kick-started Pittsburghs record-setting run.NO EXCUSESKansas City
coach Andy Reid hardly bothered to spin the worst loss of his three-plus years
with the Chiefs.This is my responsibility, Reid said. We clearly didnt play well
enough as a football team. We didnt coach well enough. I take full
responsibility for it and make sure we make it right.The Chiefs run an offense
similar to the one the Eagles used to roll up 34 points against Pittsburgh last
week. Yet Kansas City was never in it over the final 45 minutes and trailed 36-0
going into the fourth quarter.You own this right now, you wear it, and it
stinks, Smith said.CHARLES RETURNSKansas City running back Jamaal Charles ran
one time for 6 yards in his first game since tearing the anterior cruciate
ligament in his right knee last October. It was perhaps the lone bright spot on
an otherwise forgettable night.To get him back in the mix and get him worked in
more and more, it will only help us, Smith said.INJURIESChiefs: Running back
Knile Davis was evaluated for a concussionSteelers: Right tackle Marcus Gilbert
went down with a left ankle injury late in the first half and did not return.
Linebacker Anthony Chickillo (knee) and Jarvis Jones (ankle) and Heyward-Bey
(shoulder) all left in the second half and did not return.UP NEXTChiefs: are off
next week before traveling to take on the suddenly dangerous Oakland Raiders on
Oct. 16. Kansas City is 5-1 against the Raiders under Reid.Steelers: Begin a
three-game swing against AFC East teams next Sunday when they host the New York
Jets. ' ' '