Maye day a bittersweet one for Gang

They were supposed to be an unstoppable tag-team for the next decade, ballhawks and tackling machines to lift the Jets out of irrelevance.

Instead, Marcus Maye and Jamal Adams had terrific season-opening performances Sunday in different uniforms.

Maye was brilliant in Adams’ old role as a menace near the line of scrimmage in Gregg Williams’ defense. Adams was what Adams has always been in his Seahawks debut: A superstar.

“You can put me anywhere on the field,” Maye said after his stat-sheet stuffing day in Gang Green’s season-opening loss to the Bills. “I’m going to go out and play hard. Just being in that role now, it’s just something I look forward to and something I’m taking on.”

Maye racked up careerhighs in tackles (10), sacks (two), tackles for loss (two) and quarterback hits (two) to go along with two pass deflections and a force fumble. He was seemingly everywhere all the time. If not for Gang Green’s loss to the Bills, Maye would be a shoo-in for AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Adams — who was traded just before camp because the Jets did not want to pay him what he earned — continued to prove that he’s one of the NFL’s most dynamic young players with a standout first game for Pete Carroll’s Super Bowl contenders.

The All-Pro safety recorded a game-high 12 tackles, including a game-high eight solo, one sack, two quarterback hits and two tackles for loss in a win against the Falcons.

“He controlled the game,” an eye-witness told the Daily News.

“D e f e n s i ve l y, you couldn’t help but watch Jamal Adams,” Carroll said.

“He was all over the place. He had 12 or so tackles and a sack and was close on a couple others and just made some beautiful plays, tackles and hits and pressures. He’s an extraordinary football player.” Indeed, he is.

The notion that Adams was a scheme creation is laughable. He’s been a Pro Bowler in t wo different schemes in the first three years of his career. He would be a superstar in any system.

“He is such an energetic personality,” Carroll said. “He’s got so much fire in him and he’s an incredible competitor. Does it rub off? Yes. I’m so thrilled he’s on our team and we got him. Not just for the play but what else he brings and how he affects other people, and he’ll continue to do that.”

To nobody’s surprise, Adams thrived in Seattle’s Cover-3 scheme.

“I wasn’t bored,” Adams said. “I was blitzing. I was having fun. It reminded me a little bit of (former Jets head coach) Todd Bowles when Todd Bowles used me my first two years. But just out there making plays whenever my name is called or my number is called. I’m trying to do whatever I can to help the team win and get put in the best position to get the ball back to (Russell Wilson)… I’m just happy to be a part of this organization. These guys are telling me they’re happy I’m here, but I’m really happy I’m here, man.”

Meanwhile, Maye showed that he was never a Robin. He was just another Batman all along.

He’ll take center stage this season without Adams, but there there’s no denying what would have been best for the Jets this year and for years to come.

Marcus Maye and Jamal Adams should be wreaking havoc together.