FLORHAM PARK -- It was just one spring practice. But on Wednesday at Jets minicamp, rookie strong safety Jamal Adams broke up a pass headed for the end zone -- and then, on the next play, intercepted a ball.

This is just the beginning for Adams, whom the Jets drafted sixth overall. But he is intent on proving wrong those who doubted his coverage skills during the pre-draft process.

"I don't know why they questioned me," he told NJ Advance Media on Thursday, when the Jets concluded minicamp. "That was one thing that bothered me throughout the whole process. Everybody kept talking about: 'Can he cover?'

"I just kind of had to sit back and let that talk be said. But at the same time, when I'm on the field, I like to show it. That was part of my game. That's what I felt like I could bring to the table. I was a total package as a safety."

The Jets are done with practice until they report to training camp on July 28. The early returns on Adams this spring were positive, albeit during no-pads, no-contact practices.

One thing is for certain: Adams and fellow rookie Marcus Maye (second-round pick) will be the Jets' safety duo in 2017 -- a tall order for a pair of first-year players.

"I don't think we look at it as pressure," Adams said. "We look at it as opportunity. It's a great opportunity for both of us to get back there and make plays, take control of the defense in the back end, and be that quarterback."

Adams was also vocal in practice this spring, as he prepares to be a leader for the young Jets in 2017. A rookie typically isn't a vocal leader, but Adams embraces the role.

"I've always been very vocal," he said. "One thing that I've always been told by older guys that came before me, they told me to be myself. So I'm not going to change. I definitely feel like I can become a leader.

"I just feel very confident in myself. You can always work to be better as a leader, but I think you're kind of just a natural-born leader. I was gifted to have a voice, and always lead by example, on and off the field. I'll just take it to another level."

At first, earlier this spring, Adams found himself overthinking things on the field. But as he gained comfort, his play smoothed out.

"Everything hit me fast, but everything is starting to slow down," he said.

Was this a case of rookie nerves?

"Not at all," Adams said quickly.

Did he expect to have some of those?

"No, not really," he said, just as quickly. "I'm very confident in what I can do, what I can bring to the team."

The Jets hope Adams and Maye can be their safety duo for years to come. The team recently posted a photo of them on Twitter that was a mock album album cover. (See it down below.)

The image -- which was typical fun, promotional NFL team Twitter stuff -- included this phrase: "Opponent advisory -- no fly zone." Many Twitter users mocked the image, and essentially said it'll appear cringe-worthy, in retrospect, if Adams and Maye get torched this season.

Adams laughed about the tweet on Thursday, while saying it wasn't his idea.

"They kind of blew it up," he said with a smile. "We didn't know that was going to happen. They were just like, 'Do the pose.' We did the pose, and the next thing we know, the next day, it's like: 'Debut album coming out.' And everybody is texting us, and we were like, 'What?' They were killing us on Twitter, just saying all types of stuff."

Adams knows the obvious answer to that Twitter trash talk -- playing like he did for much of this spring, especially in coverage.

Debut album dropping this fall. pic.twitter.com/BoO9kQFYtK — New York Jets (@nyjets) June 12, 2017

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.