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."
