ROOKIES KEY TO PATRIOTS' SUCCESS : SUPER BOWL XXXI PACKERS VS. PATRIOTS NEW ORLEANS SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 1997 3:18 P.M., CHANNEL 11 REFUSE TO LOSE.

Byline: Howard Ulman Associated Press 

Every once in a while, his New England Patriots teammates remind Tedy Bruschi he's just a rookie.

The linebacker glanced toward a smiling Chris Slade in the adjacent locker Thursday and said, ``I've still got to buy him breakfast and I've still got to drive him to practice.''

Other than that, there are few signs that Bruschi is in his first NFL season. The same goes for wide receiver Terry Glenn, strong safety Lawyer Milloy and kicker Adam Vinatieri.

All were instrumental in getting the Patriots to the Super Bowl.

Glenn set an NFL rookie record with 90 catches. Milloy started every game after Game 6 and quickly gained a reputation as a hard hitter. Vinatieri became a dependable kicker after some early troubles, and Bruschi was valuable as a special-teams player and linebacker on passing downs.

``It would be a little uncommon for rookie players to come in and play as well as they have,'' coach Bill Parcells said. Then, he added, ``We knew that they were going to be good players pretty fast.''

They are key members of New England's second consecutive strong rookie class. Cornerback Ty Law, linebacker Ted Johnson, running back Curtis Martin and center Dave Wohlabaugh all were drafted in 1995.

Martin led the AFC in rushing last season, Johnson was the team's leading tackler this season, and all four have started for two years.

``I'm not going to say it's easy,'' Johnson said. ``You've got coach Parcells, who is not the easiest coach for a rookie to play under, and the pressure that we've been under the last month or so.

``I've been impressed with the way the guys handled it. I don't sense any letdown from the younger players.''

In the Patriots' opening 28-3 playoff win over Pittsburgh, Glenn caught a 53-yard pass on their second offensive play, setting up Martin's 2-yard touchdown run on the next play.

In their 20-6 win over Jacksonville in last Sunday's AFC Championship Game, Bruschi's interception with 1:52 left snuffed out the Jaguars' last slim hope.

Milloy has 12 tackles and an interception in the two games, and Vinatieri made two of his three field-goal attempts against Jacksonville.

``As soon as I got on the field in my first game, I didn't feel like a rookie anymore,'' said Milloy, a second-round draft choice.

Now they're headed to the NFL title game Jan. 26 against the Green Bay Packers, who won the first two Super Bowls.

``I feel very fortunate,'' Milloy said. ``I guess I won't have that true feeling of it until the year I don't go.

``We all come from winning programs, myself at the University of Washington, Terry at Ohio State. I don't think that we came in wanting to play like rookies. We wanted to come in and contribute and produce early.''

Other rookies have made lesser contributions.

Running back Marrio Grier, a sixth-round pick, has been solid on special teams and played an increased role on offense when fullback Sam Gash was lost for the season with a knee injury Dec. 8.

Ray Lucas, a free-agent quarterback from Rutgers, was activated from the practice squad for the Dec. 15 game against Dallas and has contributed on special teams.

``Next thing you know, you're activated and playing the last two games, we win two playoff games and I'm going to the Super Bowl,'' he said.

The Patriots' average age of 26.19 years was the youngest of the NFL's 12 playoff teams. Only four of their starters are over 30.

Yet they have been extremely disciplined on and off the field all season.

``I trust this team,'' Parcells said. ``I have good kids on this team and I haven't had any problems.''

``Monday, January 27, 8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. - Winning Coach and M.V.P. Press Conference.''

- Final entry in Patriots' itinerary for players and coaches, indicating that despite being 14-point underdogs, even the front-office staff is showing overt confidence.

COUGH IT UP

Film study, practice and chicken soup are all part of Drew Bledsoe's preparation for the biggest game of his life. New England's quarterback spent two days nursing a cold then went out on a rainy day Thursday as his team held its first practice for the Super Bowl since Monday.

``I just laid around and let my mom and my wife take care of me,'' Bledsoe said. ``Threw some chicken soup down my throat and watched a lot of TV. It was pretty relaxing.''

He started his news conference with a couple of coughs, then stoically said he was doing better although ``it's hard with this weather.'' With the Super Bowl still nine days away, he has plenty of time to get well.

DEATH IN THE FAMILY

Green Bay Packers center Frank Winters flew to the New York area to attend the funeral of his brother, John, who died unexpectedly this week from heart-related problems.

Winters will return to the team Saturday and travel with his teammates on Sunday to New Orleans. Friends of Winters said his brother was 35.

``Frank will be all right,'' said quarterback Brett Favre, one of Winters' best friends on the team. ``He's more worried about his mother than anything, which is understandable. It's a tough blow for him.''

PARTING SHOT

``I told you I was going to enjoy coaching this team and I've done exactly what I told you. I am going to be Mr. Congeniality unless I see any cameras near my practice field (at Tulane University). Then I'm going to be a pain.''- New England coach Bill Parcells, showing that his new cordial attitude towards his team and the media has its limits.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: New England Patriots receiver Terry Glenn set an NFL rookie record with 90 catches this year.

Associated Press

Box: SUPER BOWL XXXI (see text)