The Steelers yesterday signed veteran running back Kevan Barlow to a one-year contract that will pay him $595,000 plus a $40,000 roster bonus, and he quickly proved to be elusive.

After about a dozen members of the media waited most of the day to talk to Barlow after he signed, he slipped out a door and was gone.

The Steelers can only hope he performs such maneuvers on the field of play starting today when Barlow joins the team for coach Mike Tomlin's second minicamp.

Barlow, who played for Pitt and Peabody High School, was released this year for salary cap reasons by the New York Jets, who acquired him in August from San Francisco for a fourth-round draft choice. Barlow, 28, played his first five seasons with the 49ers, who drafted him in the third round in 2001.

Barlow (6-1, 234) will compete with Najeh Davenport to become the top backup to Willie Parker and also could become a third-down back. He caught 144 passes in his six NFL seasons -- 101 in his past three seasons with the 49ers.

Barlow will not get a chance to compete for the No. 32 he has worn since his playing days at Pitt. That number was unofficially retired by the Steelers after Franco Harris last wore it during the 1983 season. Barlow will wear No. 22, last worn by Duce Staley.

Barlow is Pitt's seventh-leading career rusher with 2,438 yards.

He rushed for 370 yards on 131 carries last season for the Jets, who had problems running the ball and ranked 20th in the league in rushing.

Barlow's best season in the NFL came when he led the 49ers with 1,024 yards in 2003 and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. He has 3,984 yards rushing in his NFL career with a 3.9-yard average per carry.

The Steelers were seeking depth behind Parker, their starting halfback, but did not select one among their eight draft picks.

They signed two free-agent rookie halfbacks after the draft but Parker and Davenport were their only ones with much experience.

Verron Haynes, the team's third-down back, was released in March and continues to rehabilitate from a torn posterior cruciate ligament. The Steelers might re-sign him.

Barlow, on his Web site, says he grew up in Pittsburgh as a fan of the Steelers and went to Pitt so his family could see him play.

"I wanted my mom to be able to drive down the road to see me play," Barlow wrote.

His family can now do that again, although Barlow has never played at Heinz Field.

NOTE -- Tomlin will have two practices today, two tomorrow and one on Sunday. Players are not permitted to wear pads.