JOSE NEGRON / DKPS

Darius Slay speaks with the media following the second day of OTAs at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

When it comes to building camaraderie with Joey Porter Jr. in order to better equip themselves to serve as a high-caliber cornerback pairing, Darius Slay doesn't see the process as a challenge. Instead, the newly-signed Super Bowl champion sees an opportunity to both help and learn from his fellow corner.

"I've got a great chance with Joey," said Slay, who reported for OTAs at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex this morning after being absent on the first day. "I can help him develop and he can help me to develop more than what I know. We're just here to help and get better." 

While today was the first time Porter had the chance to interact with Slay, he admires what he's been able to accomplish over the course of his 12-year career. So much so that Porter admitted to Slay that he watched and analyzed his highlight tapes growing up. 

"I know a lot of guys don't like when I say that because they feel old, but he's been in this league for a long time and he's a great vet," Porter said. "I had some great vets before him, so I'm just happy to have him in the building and to keep learning from him." 

Entering his third season with the Steelers, Porter has always been productive in press coverage, but still has ways to go in terms of improving off the ball. Porter displayed admiration for Slay's ability to force turnovers, considering he's totaled 28 career interceptions. But more than anything, Porter said he appreciates Slay's ability to produce in different defensive schemes. 

"In his Detroit tape, he was a great man coverage guy, and he still is," Porter said. "But he also throughout the years has been a savvy vet while playing off, which is another thing I want to pick his brain on. Playing everything just to be in a hole as a corner, I'm going to pick his brain a lot." 

Even at the age of 34, Slay can certainly bring value at the cornerback position. He's been selected to the Pro Bowl six times in his career and was named an All-Pro with the Lions in 2017 when he led the National Football League with eight interceptions and 26 passes defended. He's coming off a season in which he didn't register an interception for the first time since his rookie year in 2013, but he still made a significant impact with 49 tackles, three tackles for loss and 13 passes defended en route to winning a Super Bowl ring in his fifth and final season with the Eagles. 

While Slay will have to adjust to playing for his third different team at the NFL level, he does have some familiarity in the form of defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who served in that same role with the Lions from 2014-17. Slay said there are some similarities between the Steelers' defensive scheme and that of the Lions teams that Austin led to top-10 NFL rankings in total yards per game allowed (340.3/10th), rushing yards per game allowed (100.3/8th) and the number of games in which opponents were held to 20 points or less (34/tied for 6th) over four seasons. 

"It's like the old days, getting back together and hanging out," Slay said of Austin. "He does a great job explaining the details, and the other coaches do as well. I'm here to learn and keep learning." 

The learning won't stop for the veteran now that he's arrived for OTAs and made his first appearance in a Steelers uniform. He sees this time as being valuable, not only so he can get himself acclimated to his new environment, but because he considers this the time where "championship football starts." 

"I just came off a Super Bowl and everybody gotta buy in. This is the type of time that needs to be bought in," Slay said. "I know guys got families and stuff, I got one as well, but you want to be a champion and there is some stuff you gotta sacrifice. One of the sacrifices is coming here, being on time, being present, letting guys see my face and letting them know that it's important for me to be here and I'm here to win."