Calvin Pryor's rookie season? He wants you to forget about it. That, he believes, wasn't the real him, not even close to what he expects this year.

"[The fans] got to see whatever I put out on film, but I can promise you, it will be nothing like last year," he said confidently. "You'll see me making more plays and me being back to my old self, attacking the football any time I get a chance."

Pryor's first year in the NFL was uneven, to be sure.

Drafted 18th overall by the New York Jets, he got plenty of on-the-job training, experience that will serve him well, but he didn't make many plays at all -- no interceptions, no forced fumbles, no fumble recoveries and a half-sack. He arrived with the reputation for being a big hitter, a tone setter in the Kam Chancellor mold, but there weren't any highlight-film moments.

Because of an ill-conceived roster and a patchwork group of cornerbacks, Pryor played more free safety than strong safety, taking him out of his comfort zone. He played 523 snaps at free safety, only 88 at strong, according to ESPN Stats & Information. At Louisville, he was a "box" safety, playing close to the line of scrimmage, but he didn't get many opportunities because, well, the Jets had no natural free safeties. Somebody had to play it, and it wasn't going to be Dawan Landry, who didn't have the speed to cover the deep middle of the field.

Pryor said he was "ticked off" with his role, but he kept quiet. He was demoted for a few games late in the year due, in part, to showing up late for some meetings. The season was a long, sometimes difficult learning experience, but things started looking up in the offseason. The Jets revamped the secondary by signing cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine and safety Marcus Gilchrist. They, along with Pryor, will comprise the top five in the defensive backfield.

"It makes my job a whole lot easier, man, having those guys who can eliminate the outside," Pryor said. "It's a blessing to have those guys because I can learn a lot from them. Those guys have made numerous Pro Bowls and that's something I want to get accomplished. That's something I want to make happen."

Pryor never has lacked confidence. From Day 1, he talked like a seasoned veteran, self-assured in his ability. There will be no excuses in 2015. He's surrounded by a terrific cast and will start at strong safety, according to coach Todd Bowles, who was quick to note that Pryor won't be absolved of all free safety responsibilities.

"I think it will benefit him, just from the standpoint he's playing his natural position," Cromartie said. "That's where he likes to play, in the box. He gets to play in a comfortable spot."

One adjustment could be man-to-man pass coverage, particularly against tight ends. Pryor vowed to be "up for the challenge." Mostly, he's excited about the diversity of the position. He'll be able to blitz, cover and defend the run, with middle-field and half-field responsibilities in zone coverage.

"I'll be moving around a lot," he said. "I'll be flying around and making plays."