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. Soccer Jerseys From China .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. Football Jerseys China . Team physician Dr. Steve Traina performed the surgery Friday. 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The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. CLEVELAND -- Mark Shapiros love for Cleveland and its people runs deep, personally and professionally.Its where the Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO began his career, raised his family and helped orchestrate a baseball renaissance in the 1990s thats enjoying a 21st-century revival. In many ways, it will always be home for Shapiro.Over the past few months, Shapiro has enjoyed from afar seeing Cleveland celebrate this summer as the Cavaliers won an NBA title, ending a half-century drought for the city, and hes watched with pride as Indians fans rallied around a team that has been overlooked -- even in October.Its been some ride.I just feel bad that were going to have to put an end to it, he said with a chuckle over the phone on Wednesday.Shapiro finds himself the man in the middle of the AL Championship Series as his new team, the Blue Jays, will face with the Indians, the franchise that gave him his start, for a spot in the World Series.And it wont just be an emotional reunion for Shapiro. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins also came up in Clevelands organization, working alongside Indians president Chris Antonetti, manager Terry Francona and many others.Shapiro was flying to Cleveland on Wednesday and planned to have dinner with his sister, Julie, who lives in the area. On Thursday, hell arrive at Progressive Field as he did for more than two decades, and although he knows the direction to the visitors clubhouse, Shapiros first stop will be the Indians executive offices, where he plans to visit colleagues who are as close as family.Ive got not just friendships, but deep friendships both in the community there and throughout the Indians organization, up and down it, he said. Its not just walking in to play the team, its walking in to play a group of people where you have a deep history and a profound respect. But I can tell you, because weve played them seven times already, when the first pitch gets thrown, the only emotion I feel is a competitive desire to win.Shapiro spent 24 seasons with the Indians, breaking in as an unpaid intern in the early `90s. But it didnt take long for the Princeton-educated son of respected sports agent Ron Shapiro to advance through the ranks and become one of baseballs top executives. Shapiro has always done it the right way, displaying class and humility while molding the Indians into a model organization and helping them navigate through difficult years when the turnstiles slowed and the club had to re-invent itself to stay competitive.However, Shapiros impact with the Indians goes way beyond statistical data. His personal skills might be what set him apart.I didnt like Mark when he was here. Howss that? Francona joked before turning serious about both Shapiro and Atkins.ddddddddddddIm so close to both of them that itll be fun to say hello, said Francona, who used to take diligent notes whenever Shapiro spoke. Im sure they feel the same way we do -- they want to beat our brains out. But then when its over, thats never going to affect a friendship. Next time I probably see them will be at the winter meetings and well be laughing and Im sure something will happen during this (series) well be laughing about.It could be a year, it could be a month, it could be two years. When youre friends like that, it kind of goes beyond time or uniform or anything like that.During his time with the Indians, Shapiro was approached by numerous organizations, turning down an offer from the Cleveland Browns. He was content, but maybe needing a new challenge, Shapiro accepted a position with the Blue Jays and decided to leave the only team he had ever known.Shapiro spent much of the past year commuting between Cleveland and Toronto, where he was rudely welcomed after popular GM Alex Anthopoulos was pushed aside to make room for him. Shapiros transition was beyond tumultuous, as he was lambasted on sports talk radio and in columns across Canada. Some of the attacks were personal and vicious.Shapiro accepted the criticism, put his head down and went to work.Antonetti never worried that Shapiro would change peoples opinions of him.I talked to Mark frequently, especially at the outset, Antonetti said as the Indians took batting practice in anticipation of Fridays Game 1. I never had any doubt that once the city, the organization and the country got to know Mark Shapiro the person and the executive that they would embrace him. Hes a transformational leader and a phenomenal human being, and those are two pretty good attributes that will end up endearing you to people.When the Indians wrapped up their Division Series victory against Boston, completing a three-game sweep at Fenway Park, Shapiro watched on TV along with his son, Caden, who used to shag flies during batting practice in an Indians uniform.While the Shapiros have changed colors, their affection for Cleveland remains.We were both happy, not just for the chance to come back, but happy for the staff and the organization and the players, Shapiro said. But as he grows up he learns about the game and hes 100 percent a Toronto Blue Jay now, just like me, but with the Cleveland Indians running through our veins. They will always be an important part of our lives and history. 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