Fact or Fiction: New York Jets Offseason Edition

Everyone enters the regular season with a certain set of expectations for how their teams will perform, and who will be the major contributors. Inevitably, our expectations are defied year after year.

The New York Jets have set the expectations high year after year with Super Bowl guarantees, and have fell short of that expectation in each of Rex Ryan's first three years.

Well, Rex Ryan hasn't made that the expectation just yet—at least not publicly—which should help his chances of not falling short of expectations this year.

In the absence of a Super Bowl guarantee, though, let's take a look at some hot topics around the Jets in another edition of "Fact or Fiction."

Mark Sanchez Will Improve in His Fourth Year

The Jets have fumbled the ball with Mark Sanchez's development. First, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer made life way too difficult on Sanchez, even though he knew first-hand how much better Sanchez is when the game is simplified.

New offensive coordinator Tony Sparano will do just that.

It would be nice, though, if he had more than a couple of familiar targets to throw to. There have already been some struggles at camp. I asked Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger what she thought of the change in offense, and if the added "sight adjustments" might affect the offense with a lack of chemistry between Sanchez and the receivers, and she delivered some great insight:

"

@ErikFrenz A good question. I think that's why the completion rate wasn't so great in some practices.

— Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) June 17, 2012"

"

@ErikFrenz But it's still early, and that's really been a huge emphasis this spring. Sparano and Sanchez have taken the reins in that area.

— Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) June 17, 2012"

That's promising for an offense and a quarterback that really hopes to improve by leaps and bounds over 2011.

Verdict: Fact

Tim Tebow Will Supplant Mark Sanchez as the Starter

Judging by the result of the last slide, I think you know where this one's headed.

The Jets are on the hook for $11.25 million to Mark Sanchez in 2012. Would they really justify pulling him by virtue of a slow start? To sell more jerseys or tickets? To increase interest in their team?

Maybe, but I doubt it. Because they're on the hook for another $8.25 million in 2013.

Sanchez may struggle for the first few games of the season, in which the Jets face a treacherous early schedule, but I think the Jets know that and will be a bit more lenient with him than some might expect. 

If Tebow starts, it could just be a way for the Jets to create mismatches in the passing game from the very first play. That could really catch an opposing defense off-guard.

Verdict: Fiction

Darrelle Revis Will Hold out

For the second time in three years, the New York Jets are facing the threat of entering the regular season without the best player on their roster.

Those threats, however, look more and more empty as training camp draws closer and details continue to pour out.

According to Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com:

"

Revis would be insane to skip mandatory work and we don't think he'll do it.

[Gary] Myers [of the New York Daily News] points out that the Jets can extend Revis' contract for three extra years at "modest numbers" if he holds out of camp. That is huge leverage. That makes this Revis' entire "I'm not sure about training camp" theme sound like an empty threat.

"

Why the media keeps beating this thing to death is beyond me, but rest assured that there's nothing to see here.

Verdict: Fiction

The Defense Will Remain a Top Unit

The Jets have perennially fielded one of the league's best pass defenses, ranking consistently in the top five year after year.

As we all know, dominance in the passing game—offensively and defensively—is key to winning in the NFL and building a Super Bowl team.

The introduction of more 4-3 fronts should help the Jets get more pressure on the quarterback than in years' past. With defensive tackles Quinton Coples and Mohammed Wilkerson lining up inside and ends Calvin Pace and Aaron Maybin on the outside, the Jets will have plenty of pass rush potency up front.

But their cornerbacks are the bread-and-butter of the defense.

In Pro Football Focus' overall cornerback rankings, Revis finished first and Cromartie a lowly 54th. However, he ranked 30th in coverage. In terms of pure cover corners, the Jets have what might be the best duo in the league.

The only question mark is at safety, where none out of LaRon Landry, Yeremiah Bell, Antonio Allen or Josh Bush presents a "sure thing" on the back end. But with so many strengths elsewhere, they could still be among the league's best defenses in 2012.

Verdict: Fact

The Jets Will Finish Above .500

There were a lot of factors behind the Jets finishing 8-8 last season. 

But it probably won't happen again.

The Jets still field one of the league's elite defenses, and the presence of Tony Sparano can only mean good things for an offense that continually insists on getting back to ground-and-pound.

As long as they can avoid a controversy at quarterback and drama in the locker room, there's no reason to think this team will finish any worse than .500.

Heck, if anything, the "us-against-the-world" mentality could be a battle cry for the Jets this season to help them come together.

Verdict: Fact

Erik Frenz is the AFC East lead blogger for Bleacher Report. Be sure to follow Erik on Twitter and "like" the AFC East blog on Facebook to keep up with all the updates.