It's the day fans have been waiting for since the moment the Steelers hoisted the Lombardi Trophy at Ford Field after winning Super Bowl XL.

 

It's the start of training camp, meaning the start of the 2006 season.

 

Players and coaches will arrive at St. Vincent College throughout the day today and meet as a team this evening. On Saturday the annual run test will kick things off for the players. And then on Sunday, the team hits the field for the first practice and it will be open to the public.

 

Fans can get a peak at what to expect from camp by visiting the Steelers Training Camp page.

 

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Steelers training camp will have an international flavor with wide receiver Marvin Allen on the roster.

 

Allen, a wide receiver, is from the United Kingdom and played in the NFL Europe. He is taking part in the NFL International Development Practice Squad program.

 

The program allows for some of the leading international players from NFL Europe to be awarded a spot on the practice squad of an NFL team for the entire season. In 2006, teams from the AFC North and NFC East will be taking part.

Allen won't count toward the limit of players teams are allowed to keep on the practice squad.

 

Allen arrived in Pittsburgh on Thursday, a little tired from a nine-hour flight, but talked about his first NFL training camp.

 

"I would like to improve my game immeasurably," said Allen about the opportunity. "That is the most important thing. I want to soak up as much information as I can from the coaches and the players. I just want to get as much out of it football-wise as I can."

 

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The Steelers have been busy signing their draft picks this week, but there was another key signing as well.
Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert signed a four-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2010 season.  

 

 "We are very pleased to have Kevin continue as an important member of our front office for years to come," said Steelers President Art Rooney II. "Obviously, he has played a vital role in our success over the past several years, including the Super Bowl title last season."