Rookies are quick studies

Maybe, the Patriots really do have smarter players than everybody else.

Patriots draft picks linebacker Jerod Mayo, cornerback Terrence Wheatley, linebacker Shawn Crable, quarterback Kevin O'Connell, cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, kick returner Matthew Slater and linebacker Bo Ruud combined to win the "Ultimate Rookie Challenge" trivia contest at the NFL Rookie Symposium, which was held earlier this month in Carlsbad, Calif.

Players were asked a series of 32 questions about topics ranging from their NFL benefits packages to material from some of the educational seminars on finance and life skills that were held during the three-and-a-half day symposium, as well as some basic NFL trivia.

Individual scores were combined to come up with the top team score, and the seven Pats rookies fared the best.

Each Patriots rookie was awarded a 32-inch Samsung flat screen TV for the New England newbies' collective victory. O'Connell, the team's second of two third-round picks, finished fourth among all 252 draftees in attendance and received an iPod as well.

Hopefully, the rookies are quick studies on the field as well.