NFL Training Camp: 5 Rookies with Bad Habits That Must Be Fixed

There are very few rookies who are actually prepared to play immediately in their first season in the NFL.

However, there are many who will play, despite having many flaws that are exposed on the field.

This season is no different, especially since this draft class in expected to be one of the weakest in recent history.

Here are five big name rookies with poor habits that must be broken during training camp (if there are training camps of course).

5. Patrick Peterson: Aggressiveness

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State Univeristy Tigers celebrates after scoring a touchdown by posing as the Heisman Trophy against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge

Patrick Peterson has, by far, the best worst habit of any rookie.

In fact, it could end up being his best attribute.

Peterson is known for being aggressive and taking risks when making plays on the ball. This can result in many interceptions, but it can also result in many big plays.

He needs to know when to take the chance. This isn't Chris Relf throwing the ball against you, it's Peyton Manning.

If he perfects this habit, he could make a career out of it. Players like Asante Samuel are known for this.

However, if it isn't perfected, Peterson could quickly become exposed.

4. Jonathan Baldwin: Consistency

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Jonathan Baldwin is known as a bit of a diva, and there were some character concerns heading into the 2011 NFL Draft.

Despite these concerns, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Baldwin with the 26th overall pick.

Now the team has to hope Baldwin fixes his poor habits and becomes a better player on the field.

In college, Baldwin was known for taking off for some plays when he knew the ball wasn't coming in his direction.

He could get away with that in college, but not in the NFL.

In fact, if he fails to break his work ethic problems, he'll quickly find himself riding the bench.

3. Aldon Smith: Pass Rush Technique

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Aldon Smith #85 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Image

Everybody was a little shocked when the San Francisco 49ers took Aldon Smith with the seventh overall selection in the draft.

Smith is a first-round talent, but there were many questioning the choice of taking him in the top 10.

He is a big, athletic player who will make plays around the ball.

However, as pointed out on Steve Mariucci's show Game Changers, Smith has a poor habit of taking a very wide angle to the quarterback.

In college, he could get away with this since quarterbacks tend to hold onto the ball a little longer.

He must correct it for success in the NFL. Many of the routes in the NFL are about timing, and Smith will rarely get to quarterback in time with his current technique.

2. Cam Newton: Footwork and Sliding

Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Cam Newton attends the NFL PLAYERS Premiere League Flag Football Game at UCLA on May 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

Cam Newton is one of the most physically gifted athletes the NFL has seen in a very long time.

Throughout his earlier playing days, Newton's athleticism was enough to get him by. That will no longer be the case.

Newton will need to show vast improvement with his footwork and technique. This is extremely important for a quarterback with his skill set.

Just look at the improvements Mike Vick has made in his game for proof.

Speaking of his style of play, there is another habit that Newton will be asked to break.

Despite the damage he can do running the ball, he will need to learn to slide. It's one of the hardest habits for a competitive player to change.

With the franchise on his shoulders, Newton can't be risking an injury.

1. Jake Locker: Balance and Footwork

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies drops back to pass during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Huskies 4

The number one knock on Jake Locker has always been his problems with consistency and accuracy when throwing inside the pocket.

Much of this has to do with poor technique, balance and footwork.

During his time at Washington, Locker didn't necessarily have a good offensive line. This often led to him throwing off balance with poor technique, resulting in poor accuracy.

Because of this, he never seemed to develop the natural ability to throw in the pocket like other top tier quarterbacks.

He will need to address this issue quickly, since it's the major downside in his abilities.