Steve McLendon can't always see what Marcus Maye does is in the secondary, but the 8th year pro says what the rookie brings to the table is necessary.

"The most amazing thing, for me, is to see young guys comes in and communicate," McLendon, part of perhaps the Jets' most talented unit on the defensive line. "To not be scared to talk, because we need it. They're going to see something that we're not going to see because we're down in the dirt. ... It's good to have young safeties come in and do their job."

Maye, a second-round pick out of Florida, did his job Saturday. Midway through the Jets' Green and White scrimmage, Maye picked off veteran Josh McCown near the left sideline and took it to the house 60 yards for a defensive score on a night the defense often outshined its competition at MetLife Stadium.

"Marcus made a heck of a play," said McCown, who threw the only pick of the night between himself, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty. "We've talked about these two young safeties [along with first round pick Jamal Adams, who did not play Saturday] for a while now and how they carry themselves. ... Those guys are going to make plays sometimes."

Maye and Adams, who sat out Saturday's scrimmage with a minor ankle injury, have big responsibilities as the expected starting tandem. They are the eyes of the defense, the quarterbacks of the unit -- and both have received high praise in just a short amount of time in New York since draft weekend.

"[Marcus] has been good," coach Todd Bowles said. "He's been solid. He doesn't play like a rookie so we just hope he keeps getting better."

The Jets jettisoned last year's starters Calvin Pryor and Marcus Gilchrist out of town this off-season, leaving the opportunity for both rookie safeties to begin the season and opening day starters. In a perfect world in the eyes of the Jets' brass, the organization landed their starting safety tandem for the next decade with the pair who come to the Jets by way of the SEC.

Maye, a 6-foot, 207-pound hard-hitting type, spent the past four years at Florida, where he racked up 5 INTs, 16 passes defended, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries to pair with 205 career tackles. He has flown relatively under the radar with Adams, out of LSU, being a first-round pick, though both have received their share of praise since draft night.

"I feel like any guy on our team belongs in the NFL," McLendon said. "As for Marcus, though, I said that about him in OTAs. Same thing with Adams. They came in and communicated the first day we showed up."

And Maye showed up Saturday, highlighting the night with the game's biggest play.

"It's amazing for a young guy to come in and get a pick six and do it in front of his fans," McLendon said. "Hopefully, it can carry over to next week and we can continue to build on these little things."

JJ Conrad may be reached at jconrad@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @jj_conrad.

