Patriots' Kenbrell Thompkins: 5 Fixable Rookie Mistakes

Kenbrell Thompkins

It's Week 2 in the NFL, which means it's time for everyone to overreact to one game.

Rookie Kenbrell Thompkins had an inauspicious start for the Patriots in Week 1. He was targeted 13 times for 4 receptions and 42 yards. He missed two great opportunities at touchdowns. 

Thompkins also failed to make two difficult sideline catches and slipped on a wide open crossing route in the middle of the field.

The good news? Most of his issues are correctable; they're mistakes Thompkins can fix watching game film and practicing. Here are his 5 biggest learning opportunities from the Buffalo game:

1. Toe Tap on Sideline Catches
2. Turn Body on Back-Shoulder Throw
3. Use Proper Spacing in Back of End Zone
4. Make Route Adjustments Quicker 
5. Block Correctly on Screen/Sweep

Don't jump off the bandwagon yet. Once the kid gets it all together, he will be a dangerous weapon in the Patriots' offense.

2013 AFC East: The Good, The Bad & The UGLY

With the New England Patriots season starting in just under 2 weeks, it's a good time to preview the competition in the AFC East.

Here are the teams the Pats will need to go through to claim a fifth straight AFC East title:

THE GOOD: Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins

OLD FRIENDS: Ryan Tannehill, Brian Hartline, Cameron Wake

NEW FACES: Mike Wallace, Dustin Keller

KEY LOSSES: Jake Long, Sean Smith

RISING: Lamar Miller

3 QUESTIONS:

• Can Ryan Tannehill improve enough to lead the Dolphins to their first playoff appearance in 5 years? Can he get them their first win playoff win since December 2000?
• Is Mike Wallace the playmaking deep threat that he was signed to be? 
• With the loss of Dustin Keller (to a gruesome knee injury), who else will step up as a solid receiving target for Tannehill?