For a team that's hopefully destined to come up with more interceptions, the first play of OTAs couldn't have worked out any better.
We'll let cornerback Joe Haden explain:
"It was me and (tight end) Vance (McDonald) out there on the island. He ran an outside release so I thought it was going to be a fade. Then when he sunk his hips down to run a comeback I just under-cut it.
"I looked back and the ball was there so I had to pick it off."
It was an opening statement that resonated in "Seven Shots," the Steelers' practice-opening, two-point conversation/short-yardage drill.
It worked out so well for the defense in that particular instant on Tuesday morning at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex that it almost appeared scripted.
"I just told Joe I did it on purpose to get him ready for the year," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger joked.
The Steelers' inability to collect interceptions last season was no laughing matter.
They finished with eight.
Only Green Bay, Detroit and Arizona (seven apiece) and San Francisco (two) registered fewer.
The Steelers participate in day 1 of the 2019 Organized Team Activities at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex

Pittsburgh Steelers players participate in the Organized Team Activity (OTA) at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

Steven Nelson

J.T. Jones and Sutton Smith

James Washington

Jordan Dangerfield

Pittsburgh Steelers players participate in the Organized Team Activity (OTA) at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

Bud Dupree

Teryl Austin

Vance McDonald

Jordan Dangerfield

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Bud Dupree

Xavier Grimble

Ben Roethlisberger

Justin Layne

Zach Gentry

Benny Snell Jr.

Donte Moncrief

Steven Nelson

Ralph Webb

Benny Snell Jr.

Tyler Matakevich

Vance McDonald and Joe Haden

James Washington

Donte Moncrief

Joe Haden and Herb Waters

Mike Hilton

Isaiah Buggs

Benny Snell Jr.

Marcus Allen and Tom Bradley

T.J. Watt

Bud Dupree

Ola Adeniyi

Jordan Dangerfield

Devin Bush

Mark Barron

Joe Haden

Kameron Kelly

Keith Butler

Cameron Sutton

Donte Moncrief

Donte Moncrief

James Conner

Head Coach Mike Tomlin

Mark Barron

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Head Coach Mike Tomlin

Mason Rudolph

Matt Feiler and Chuks Okorafor

Joe Haden

Vance McDonald

Ryan Switzer

Head Coach Mike Tomlin

Head Coach Mike Tomlin

Garrett Brumfield

Ben Roethlisberger

Joe Haden

James Washington

Devin Bush

Ben Roethlisberger

Vance McDonald

Ryan Switzer

Isaiah Buggs

Donte Moncrief

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Tyler Matakevich

Steven Nelson

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Jordan Dangerfield

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Mark Barron

Donte Moncrief

Johnny Holton

Joshua Dobbs, Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, and Devlin Hodges

Tyler Matakevich and Jordan Dangerfield

Vance McDonald and Eddie Faulkner

Xavier Grimble and Vance McDonald

Tevin Jones
Haden estimated the Steelers could have had approximately twice as many interceptions had they only been able to catch the ball when it was thrown to them.
"We gotta catch the ones that hit us in the face," he maintained. "I would say we at least dropped six or seven. A couple of them I dropped, unfortunately me and 'S.D.' (free safety Sean Davis) ran into each other for one of them.
"We had a lot of opportunities out there that we left on the field."
Cornerback Brian Allen was also rewarded upon the opening of OTAs by being more of an opportunist than a ball-hawk.
Haden hopes that's a trend that gains momentum.
"'B.A.' had one, too, so I think we had two picks today," he said in summation of OTA No. 1. "As many more practices as we have, just make sure the ones that hit us in the hands, we catch.
"Don't be thirsty for them, we have to have pass break-ups. Don't just start going out of character, but when the ball comes to you make sure you catch it."
The downside of interceptions at this early juncture is they're also thrown by Steelers.
Roethlisberger threw an NFL-leading 16 of those last season, another contributing factor in the Steelers' minus 11 in takeaway/giveaway differential.
Haden isn't concerned in the least about the throwing end of such turnovers, such is his faith in the Steelers' franchise QB.
He doesn't think fans should be, either, when digesting the pluses and minuses of OTAs.
"They should be excited I got a pick," he insisted. "Ben is a wily vet, he's going to be good.
"That's just me trying to make a play and trying to get my opportunities up."