NFL

Returning to Giants, Ross now a leader in secondary

SPOILED MILK: Aaron Ross, who played just one season for the Jaguars (inset) before returning to the Giants, says you get “spoiled” by a first-class organization. (Paul J. Bereswill; Getty Images)

When Sam Madison played for the Giants, he would regularly advise younger cornerbacks, and in 2007, one of those younger corners was a 23-year old rookie named Aaron Ross.

“When he came into the league he was an older guy so I’m thinking he would be mature,’’ Madison told The Post, “but when you’re in college, having everything at your fingertips, you don’t really understand it until you get in the real world where everybody is scratching and pulling for himself.’’

Madison, in the 11th season of a 12-year career and with diminishing physical skills, turned into a leader for the 2007 Super Bowl team. Ross became a starter for that championship defense and wouldn’t have been able to handle the load without Madison’s help.

“That’s like the big brother,’’ Ross said. “My rookie year when I came in Sam took me under his wing and kind of showed me the ropes, taught me what to do, taught me how to take care of my body, how to study, how to take notes.’’

Six years later, Madison is back with the Giants, albeit temporarily. He is spending training camp working with the defensive backs as part of the Bill Walsh minority internship coaching program. A popular figure during his three years with the Giants (after making the Pro Bowl four times in his nine seasons with the Dolphins), Madison has reconnected with some of his former teammates, including Ross.

“He seems happy, he’s comfortable with his role,’’ Madison said. “He’s matured.’’

Ross, now 30, is no longer a hotshot former first-round draft pick thrust immediately into a starting role. His five-year run in New York appeared at an end following the 2011 season when he hit free agency. The Giants didn’t make much of an attempt to keep him — even though he started 15 games for a Super Bowl-winning defense — and he signed a three-year, $9.75 million contract with the Jaguars. Upon leaving, Ross said all the right things and proceeded to play in 14 games (nine starts) for the moribund Jaguars, who went 2-14.

Ross saw what life was like on the other side.

“To come from an organization like this, it’s first class,’’ Ross said. “You have really high expectations for everything. And the players, the type of players that they bring here, everything is like you’re looking to win a Super Bowl every year. I think you get spoiled by that.

“Every team talks about winning a Super Bowl. But being here for five years, it’s something that is imbedded in you. In Jacksonville they talked about it, everybody wanted to win the Super Bowl, it was just something that we knew we didn’t have a chance. It’s different. It’s a little different.’’

A player rarely gets a second chance with his first team, but the Giants welcomed Ross back after the Jaguars waived him. Ross got a one-year deal, hasn’t stopped smiling and has looked as if he has a new lease on life. Ross is slotted in as the No. 3 cornerback, filling the difficult and critical nickel back spot. He has been one of the best defensive players in camp, and if he holds up the Giants will have a solid player working with starters Corey Webster and Prince Amukamara.

In the past, Ross hated the idea of playing slot corner, as he considered himself an outside cornerback.

“It was almost like a slap in the face if someone moved you into the nickel role,’’ he said.

Now he’s embracing the role of nickel back, saying “I like getting dirty a little bit.’’

He’s also embracing a new-found role as a leader. Ross used to get called into the back of the defensive backs room by Madison for tutorials.

“I see the rookies doing that to me now,’’ Ross said.

“We always talk,’’ said Jayron Hosley, a second-year cornerback. “Any questions I have I’ll ask him, no hesitation.’’

Madison, once the student, now sees something in Ross that Ross saw in Madison.

“He’s taken his responsibilities on the football field very seriously,’’ Madison said. “He’s finally matured and understands what it takes to become a professional. Last year I think it kind of hit him in the face, for him to come back, you don’t get a second chance, sometimes. Once you leave you’re gone. But he came back.’’