As rookie minicamp commenced Friday, Jets first- and second-round picks Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye took their first steps as professionals.
"We've been working really hard as a unit," Adams said. "We had the first install and we did pretty well out there. We had some mistakes, but we have a full-go practice coming up and I'm looking forward to it."
The safeties' relationship dates to 2013 when Maye tried recruiting Adams to play collegiately at Florida. In fact, the eventual LSU product believed he was going to commit to UF, but changed his mind because of potential coaching releases on the horizon. The two kept in touch and expressed their excitement working alongside one another.
"It's going to be great," Maye said. "I feel like the caliber players we can be together is going to be good. So we just have to hit the ground running and take every day as an opportunity to get better."
Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan expressed his desire to draft talented players with good character to help build the team culture. Adams is a renowned leader in LSU program history and served as captain in 2016. The 6'0", 210-pound Maye filled a similar role for the Gators.
"I feel like I can get along with pretty much anybody in the locker room," he said. "I like to go out and compete. Just being out on the field with other competitors will make everything great around here. That's why I get along with everybody and it'll be good."
For now, Adams and Maye are embracing their status as rookies. The 6'0", 214-pound Adams said he wants to earn the respect of his teammates before anything else.
"We definitely have to learn from the vets and sit back and learn before we can get in there and make plays," he said. "We have a ton of guys with a ton of experience around even with Coach Bowles. He played the game and the position. We're just looking forward to learning and building."
