49ERS Barlow inspires as Hearst's running mate

49ERS
Barlow inspires as Hearst's running mate
The Pittsburgh native has helped San Francisco jump out to a 5-2 start.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
For 23-year-old running back Kevan Barlow of Pittsburgh, Halloween wasn't much of an event at his Northern California digs.
No problem. The former University of Pittsburgh tailback feels most of his life has become a holiday since being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in April 2001.
This season, Barlow is splitting time with Pro Bowler Garrison Hearst in the 49ers backfield.
But in the not-too-distant future, Barlow is expected to be the 49ers' lead back.
Because of practice and film study, Barlow said in a telephone interview from the team's headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., that he wasn't around his apartment complex much Thursday to see how many trick-or-treaters came calling.
Again, no problem.
"My Halloween is going to come Sunday when we go to Oakland," said Barlow of the 5-2 49ers' game against the 4-3 Raiders in "The Black Hole" (also known as Network Associates Coliseum). "We're going up there to be surrounded by those crazies in their painted faces.
"The fans are going to be screaming at us all game," Barlow said.
Referring to an exhibition game in August, Barlow said, "It's by far the most hostile stadium I've played in so far."
Pittsburgh roots
Barlow, who played for Peabody High, knows a little something about intense NFL rivalries.
"Growing up in Pittsburgh, there's no way you couldn't know about [Cleveland's] Dawg Pound," said Barlow, who added that the San Francisco Bay Area is buzzing in similar fashion this weekend in anticipation of the 49ers-Raiders game. "The people here are just feeding on this game. There's such a sense of urgency to it."
Barlow's loving every minute of life as a 49er. After rushing for 2,234 yards and scoring 20 touchdowns in just 15 starts for Walt Harris' Panthers, the 49ers drafted Barlow with a third-round selection 18 months ago.
Barlow was thrilled even though he was afraid he might become homesick going west.
"I grew up loving the 49ers, players like Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Tom Rathman," Barlow said. "They won [five] Super Bowls as I was growing up and Montana was from Western Pennsylvania.
"And my college coach was constantly quoting [the philosophies] of [49ers coach] Bill Walsh," Barlow said. "So I knew quite a bit about the 49ers organization."
The 49ers also offered Barlow a chance for rapid development because their tailback from the 2000 season, Charlie Garner, had departed for the Raiders and Hearst had missed three seasons recovering from a severe ankle break.
"I knew coming in that they were going to need me to play," said Barlow, who gained 512 yards on 125 carries and scored four touchdowns in his rookie season that saw the Niners rebound to 13-3 and earn a wild-card playoff berth.
This season, the 49ers rotate Hearst and Barlow on alternating series.
Coach Steve Mariucci says there is a method to the madness.
"Rotating them is good for us because it helps us in the big picture," Mariucci said. "The rotation keeps them fresh throughout the game and helps them stay strong in fourth quarter. They also should stay healthier throughout the long season where one guy doesn't take a beating."
Similar numbers
In seven games, their numbers are similar. Hearst has 421 yards on 71 carries and three touchdowns. He also has caught 25 passes for 174 yards and a score. Barlow has 371 yards on 76 carries and three scores as well as 11 receptions for 121 yards and a score.
"They've accepted their roles and I believe they understand the reason," Mariucci said. "Both are capable of starting, both would love to start and play the whole game. I know Garrison would love to rush for 1,200 yards and be a Pro Bowler again."
Barlow credited Walsh and General Manager Terry Donahue for "a great job of rebuilding this team. What they did in finding [unknown] players to play key roles explains why we're a contender again.
"Our team has a winning attitude, a classy attitude," Barlow said. "I don't ever want to leave because I'm sure the grass isn't greener on the other side.
"We have a great owner [John York of Canfield], a personable guy who interacts well with the players in the lockerroom," Barlow said. "I don't want to go anywhere else to play."
Neither do the Niners.
"He's right on schedule as far as developing into a NFL star," Mariucci said. "He's got a bright future in this league if he keeps his body in prime shape and trains hard.
"He's already had to adjust some eating and training habits. He needs to continue to work on preparation through film work, studying blitzes ."
In last week's 38-28 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, Barlow caught a touchdown pass from Jeff Garcia and scored one rushing.
He's not satisfied.
"It was a good game for me, but there were a lot of things I didn't do correctly."
"I love my role, which is to provide a spark off the bench," Barlow said. "When you rotate, it's sometimes hard to get a rhythm going. So it's important to stay loose and warm while waiting on the sidelines."
With a one-game lead over the Cardinals, Barlow said his teammates relish the pressure of leading the pack.
"We put it on ourselves," Barlow said of high expectations.
williams@vindy.com