Will Rex Ryan’s Jets play as big as the coach talks?

Are the Patriots ready to put last year’s playoff debacle behind them?

We’re about to find out the answers to these and plenty of other NFL questions as training camps open around the league. With two-a-days in the crushing heat and humidity of summer commencing, we examine pro football’s hot-button issues:

Are the Jets the team to beat?

Rex Ryan’s Jets will be featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” and the coach boasted even before the series began that the Jets are the team to beat in the NFL this year. After rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez led an unexpected run to the AFC Championship Game last year, there’s no reason to think the Jets can’t contend again, especially with the offseason acquisition of former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, Jason Taylor and LaDainian Tomlinson.

Can Brady lead the Patriots back to Super Bowl grandeur?

Or are the Patriots a team in decline? It’s now Year 2 of Tom Brady’s recovery from a season-ending knee injury in 2008, and don’t ignore the fact that most players see a marked improvement in knee function the second year. So look for Brady to get back to his old self with an offense that still features Randy Moss. The big issue on that side of the ball is whether slot receiver Wes Welker can recover from his own knee injury and be an effective threat.

Are Steelers toast because of Roethlisberger’s suspension?

Ben Roethlisberger has been suspended for the first six games, although it’s likely to be reduced to four. With Byron Leftwich taking over, the Steelers figure to struggle early. And with Roethlisberger likely to be rusty upon his return, this could be a tough year in the Burgh.

Will Shanahan and McNabb turn around the Redskins?

In a league in which coaches and quarterbacks are of paramount importance, the Redskins have two eminently capable performers at those key positions. And I expect they indeed will be a huge help for a Redskins team that has been a major disappointment under the ownership of free-spending Daniel Snyder. Does that improvement translate into a playoff appearance? Questionable in a division that is crowded with contenders. But a 9-7 season in which a team knocks on the door to the postseason sure beats 4-12.

Is Tim Tebow the real deal?

Josh McDaniels is convinced that the former Florida star can make it big in the NFL, even though there is plenty of skepticism among scouts about Tebow’s ability to adapt to the NFL game. I’m in that non-believer camp, too, but I look forward to seeing whether Tebow can overcome the doubters. We shall see.

Will the Chargers be Super Bowl-good?

There’s no question Philip Rivers is an elite quarterback. And the addition of rookie running back Ryan Matthews will be a huge boon to the running game. But with a depleted defense and nasty contract issues with tackle Marcus McNeil and receiver Vincent Jackson, it’ll be tough.

Will there be a lockout in 2011?

I say there will be football next season despite continued labor issues. But no matter what happens at the bargaining table, here’s some free advice: Now that training camp is here, don’t even think about it. Time for football.