It's the sound they have been waiting to hear since the 2018 ended. A sound every defensive player loves. A sound that signals football has officially arrived.
On Sunday, that sound will echo through the campus of Saint Vincent College as for the first time Steelers players will put on the pads at training camp.
You will hear the pop of the pads, the crunch, the sound you hear when football players do what they love to do – hit.
"That is what we are looking forward to," said Mike Hilton. "That is a true sign football is around the corner. Guys can really separate themselves and show they are trying to make this team and get ready for the season.
"Just the energy and enthusiasm. Guys are more locked in. The physical part comes alive. It makes practice more fun and entertaining."
Take a look at photos from the Pittsburgh Steelers 2nd day of training camp

Tegray Scales

Marcus Allen

Jordan Berry

Tyler Matakevich

Mark Barron

Tevin Jones

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Trey Griffey

Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2019 Steelers Training Camp.

Joshua Dobbs

Ryan Switzer

Bud Dupree

Anthony Chickillo

James Conner

Steven Nelson

Mason Rudolph and Benny Snell Jr.

Mason Rudolph

Devin Bush

Diontae Johnson

Joe Haden

James Washington and Artie Burns

Lavon Hooks

Sean Davis

Ralph Webb

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Ben Roethlisberger

Ryan Switzer

Benny Snell Jr.

Dan McCullers

Jaylen Samuels

Ola Adeniyi

Devin Bush

Ben Roethlisberger

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Tegray Scales

Benny Snell Jr.

Tyler Matakevich

Roosevelt Nix

Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2019 Steelers Training Camp.

Travon McMillian

Ben Roethlisberger

Derwin Gray

Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2019 Steelers Training Camp.

James Washington

Diontae Johnson

Donte Moncrief

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Ryan Switzer

Kevin Rader

Eli Rogers

Ralph Wenn

Christian Scotland-Williamson

Sean Davis

Benny Snell Jr.

Xavier Grimble

Jordan Dangerfield

Trey Griffey

Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2019 Steelers Training Camp.

Ramon Foster and Ben Roethlisberger

Vince Williams

Robert Spillane

Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2019 Steelers Training Camp.

Joe Haden

Matthew Wright

Jordan Dangerfield and Cam Sutton

Terrell Edmunds

Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2019 Steelers Training Camp.

Bud Dupree

David DeCastro

Tyler Matakevich

Steven Nelson

Benny Snell Jr.

Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2019 Steelers Training Camp.

Ryan Switzer and Ben Roethlisberger

Mark Barron

Maurkice Pouncey

JuJu Smith-Schuster and Steven Nelson

Marcelis Branch and Cameron Kelly

Sean Davis

Zach Gentry

Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2019 Steelers Training Camp.

JuJu Smith-Schuster

JuJu Smith-Schuster and Terrell Edmunds

Jaylen Samuels

Terrell Edmunds

Diontae Spencer and Cameron Kelly

Vance McDonald

Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2019 Steelers Training Camp.

P.J. Locke

James Conner

Justin Layne

Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2019 Steelers Training Camp.

Chris Boswell

Teryl Austin

Kevin Rader and Marcelis Branch

Donte Moncrief and Joe Haden

Zach Gentry

Xavier Grimble and Zach Gentry

Artie Burns

Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2019 Steelers Training Camp.

Trevor Wood

Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2019 Steelers Training Camp.
It's like that Christmas morning feeling for the guys, some of who made sure they are ready to go this afternoon by getting plenty of rest last night.
"I am looking forward to it," said Sean Davis. "I got a good night's sleep to get ready for it.
"Today comes with the intensity Coach (Mike) Tomlin instills in us. Both sides are always competing. You never want to be the nail, you want to be the hammer. The emphasis is going to be running around after it. I am looking forward to it.
"We are trying to build a World Championship team. It starts today."
Veteran free agent Mark Barron said he is ready to take the next step after spending all of the offseason practicing in shorts and helmets.
"It always heightens the level of competition," said Barron. "It's always a fun day, the first day of pads. It's when football gets more real. When you are out there in shorts, most of the time offense has the advantage. When you put the pads on, it evens the playing field.
"It's always been one of my favorite things."
Joe Haden said the player he is most anxious to see put the pads on is rookie linebacker Devin Bush, the team's No. 1 draft pick.
"He is my guy," said Haden. "He is a linebacker. Physicality. Being able to cover. Being able to hit running backs. With the linemen, when you don't have any equipment it's friendly, working together. With the pads on you can see how good he is.
"I expect a little bit of everything from him. I expect him to be able to cover, be physical. I expect a lot out of him. At the same time he expects a lot out of himself. Just to see his physicality. I can't wait to see his running, coverage and hitting."