When the Jets traded Jamal Adams, it was widely assumed Bradley McDougald -- acquired in the deal -- would step into the strong safety role. After all, he played the position with the Seattle Seahawks, so it seemed natural.
Except defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, always thinking outside the box, might have a better idea. He might give Marcus Maye, Adams' longtime tag-team partner, a shot at the gig.
A lot can happen between now and opening day on Sept. 13, but Maye, 27, has shown in early training camp practices that he can be more than a deep safety. He's doing a little of everything -- blitzing, covering and ranging sideline to sideline. He has had some fun battles with tight end Chris Herndon, breaking up passes and showing man-to-man coverage ability.
"There's nothing you can say that he doesn't do well," Jets coach Adam Gase said.
With Adams on the roster, Maye was the other safety, often lining up 20 yards from the line of scrimmage. In 2019, he was a free safety on 816 out of 1,024 snaps (80%), according to ESPN Stats & Information research. The Jets' 2017 second-round pick played in the box on 125 snaps, with nearly half of those coming in the two late-season games that Adams sat out because of an ankle injury.
Blitzing was a foreign concept for Maye, who rushed the passer four times and had zero sacks. He's big enough (6-foot, 207 pounds) and fast enough to be an effective blitzer, but does he have the instincts? That's what made Adams so good. Maye hasn't had the opportunity, so it's hard to say.
Williams likes to cross-train players at different positions in camp, so this doesn't mean Maye will be a full-time replacement for Adams. At the very least, it will make the Jets less predictable on defense by having interchangeable safeties. (McDougald played both spots in Seattle.)
"You don't know if he's [blitzing], you don't know if he's going to the middle field, you don't know if he's going to the half field, you don't know if he is going to play underneath coverage," Gase said of Maye.
Say hello to the new Marcus Maye.
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Except defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, always thinking outside the box, might have a better idea. He might give Marcus Maye, Adams' longtime tag-team partner, a shot at the gig.
A lot can happen between now and opening day on Sept. 13, but Maye, 27, has shown in early training camp practices that he can be more than a deep safety. He's doing a little of everything -- blitzing, covering and ranging sideline to sideline. He has had some fun battles with tight end Chris Herndon, breaking up passes and showing man-to-man coverage ability.
"There's nothing you can say that he doesn't do well," Jets coach Adam Gase said.
With Adams on the roster, Maye was the other safety, often lining up 20 yards from the line of scrimmage. In 2019, he was a free safety on 816 out of 1,024 snaps (80%), according to ESPN Stats & Information research. The Jets' 2017 second-round pick played in the box on 125 snaps, with nearly half of those coming in the two late-season games that Adams sat out because of an ankle injury.
Blitzing was a foreign concept for Maye, who rushed the passer four times and had zero sacks. He's big enough (6-foot, 207 pounds) and fast enough to be an effective blitzer, but does he have the instincts? That's what made Adams so good. Maye hasn't had the opportunity, so it's hard to say.
Williams likes to cross-train players at different positions in camp, so this doesn't mean Maye will be a full-time replacement for Adams. At the very least, it will make the Jets less predictable on defense by having interchangeable safeties. (McDougald played both spots in Seattle.)
"You don't know if he's [blitzing], you don't know if he's going to the middle field, you don't know if he's going to the half field, you don't know if he is going to play underneath coverage," Gase said of Maye.
Say hello to the new Marcus Maye.
Jets might have found Jamal Adams' replacement ... right under their nose
Marcus Maye, the Jets' 2017 second-round pick, has been impressive in early training camp practices, showing he can be more than a deep safety.