hopes to play Wednesday. [url=http://www.cheapfalconsjersey.com/]cheap falcons jerseys[/url] [url=http://www.cheapravensjersey.com/]cheap ravens jerseys[/url] [url=http://www.cheapb

LATROBE, Pa. -- 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. Cheap Air Jordan 4 Canada Sale .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Air Jordan 4 Cheap Canada . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. http://www.airjordan4canada.com/ . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. Air Jordan 4 Canada Online .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Air Jordan 4 Canada Sale . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey has called the NBA a make-or-miss league. This season the Raptors have been making, and winning.Toronto, which visits the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, entered Tuesdays games leading the NBA in offensive efficiency, averaging 114.9 points per 100 possessions. Thats a fraction of a point better than the explosive Golden State Warriors.The Raptors are also second in the league in field goal percentage (47.6), tied for first with Cleveland in 3-point percentage (40.1) and tied with San Antonio for the lead in free-throw percentage (81.8).Torontos 122-100 rout of Milwaukee on Monday night was its ninth victory in the last 10 games, vaulting the Raptors 10 games over .500 for the first time this season, at 17-7. They lead the Atlantic Division and are second in the Eastern Conference only to the Cavaliers, who beat them in last years conference finals.DeMar DeRozan poured in 30 points against the Bucks and is fifth in the NBA in scoring at 27.9 per game. Terrence Ross added a season-high 25 in 21 minutes off the bench.I mean, we have a whole bunch of great scorers, so when anybody gets going, its infectious, Ross told the Toronto Star. Everybody kind of gets in a rhythm -- once you make a shot, somebody else makes a shot. Its a good feeling. I think that kind of spreads throughout the team.Ross sank 10 of 17 shots against Milwaukee, including 4 of 6 3-pointers. Toronto was 14-of-25 from the arc in all.Point guard Kyle Lowry, a Philadelphia native, has been particularly hot of late. He scored 18 points Monday and is averaging 24.9 pointss a game over his last nine games, while shooting 58.dddddddddddd.6 percent from the floor and 62.5 percent from 3-point range.Overall Lowry is averaging 21.2 points and 7.3 assists a game, while shooting 44.4 percent from the arc.The Sixers (6-18) remain last in the Eastern Conference, but beat New Orleans last Thursday to snap a franchise-record-tying 23-game road losing streak. They followed that up with a 97-79 victory Sunday in Detroit, the first time Philadelphia has won back-to-back road games since December 2014.Robert Covington had 16 points, Ersan Ilyasova added 15 and Jahlil Okafor contributed 14 against the Pistons, and T.J. McConnell had 12 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and three steals while making his first start of the season at point guard in place of Sergio Rodriguez (illness).I think it gives you a little more confidence knowing that you are going to play more minutes, McConnell told Philly.com. But its for the wrong reasons, though. We want Sergio here. I just tried to step in and hold down the fort for as long as I could.Guys were telling me that I was getting close to the triple-double, so I was just trying to get guys the ball at the end.Joel Embiid did not play against New Orleans, as he was resting and plagued by elbow inflammation. Nerlens Noel, making his first appearance after missing the first 23 games following minor knee surgery, left the game with an ankle sprain but told Philly.com he hopes to play Wednesday. cheap falcons jerseys cheap ravens jerseys cheap bills jerseys cheap bears jerseys cheap bengals jerseys cheap cowboys jerseys cheap lions jerseys cheap texans jerseys cheap colts jerseys cheap jaguars jerseys cheap chiefs jerseys cheap rams jerseys cheap dolphins jerseys cheap vikings jerseys cheap saints jerseys cheap giants jerseys cheap jets jerseys cheap eagles jerseys cheap steelers jerseys cheap 49ers jerseys ' ' '