FLORHAM PARK -- When Aaron Glenn took over as head coach of the New York Jets in January, he built a reputation in the media as a hard-nosed individual who would not tolerate any weakness from his staff or players.
The start of voluntary workouts and rookie minicamp has shown a new side of Glenn.
Instead of the hard-nosed expectations that have come from the former defensive mastermind, Glenn has shown his teaching side - pushing young players to be better and develop faster than people ever thought they could.
With rookie camp coming to an end Saturday morning, the Jets and Glenn has made one thing clear to the incoming rookie class.
They have already taken their first step in the larger football world.
"Seven draft picks, 15 undrafted free agents, I think we had about 12 tryout guys, so, man, we had guys from like major division one programs, some guys from 1-AA, we had some guys from HBCUs, and I told those guys, it really doesn't matter where you're from... once you get in the building, you have a shot," Glenn said. "Once you get in the building you have a shot, so I thought it was important for them to understand that."
There will be hundreds of players released over the next few months. Many of those players will be the same undrafted free agents and tryout candidates that the Jets invited over this weekend.
New York has taken a positive step in this direction under Glenn. The rookies have gotten their first taste of professional football.
And it means teaching and developing that young talent in a way that the Jets hope will change their fortunes forever.