Each year one or two undrafted rookies seem to come out of the woodwork and raise a few eyebrows on the field. This year's first candidate is Stephen Neal, a former two-time college wrestling champion who hasn't played football since his days at San Diego High School.    The 6-4, 295-pound Neal will be working at defensive end. Just a few weeks ago the 24-year-old came up just short at the World Wrestling team trials. He knows he is a long shot for the NFL, but he's ready to give it a go.    "I just got really lucky. The Patriots are giving me the opportunity to see if I can work hard enough and maybe make the team," Neal said. "This is a big leap. I've been working hard my whole life at wrestling. The big thing is if I can work hard mentally and physically in this sport to see if I can come around."    Coming out of high school, Neal weighed just 210 pounds. He had some looks from a few Division II football programs, but nothing much. His future in wrestling was much brighter, and he wound up having a stellar career at Cal-State Bakersfield University. As a freshman heavyweight he was took fourth place at nationals, and second the following year. Then he won back-to-back titles in 1998-99 and ended his college career on an 83-match winning streak.    Neal then won the 1999 World Championship and earned Freestyle Wrestler of the Year honors from FILA, the International Wrestling Federation. The only other American to achieve the honor was two-time Olympic champion John Smith, who was recognized in 1991. While in high school Neal once pinned New Orleans running back and former Heisman winner Ricky Williams, but is the NFL a realistic goal?    "This is obviously a project, but it's one we think we might be able to see some upside on," Belichick said. "He's a raw guy, a big, strong, physical, raw guy who was a championship wrestler. We've known about him, but he's been wrestling. He has kind of pulled off on his quest for the Olympics in order to pursue a pro football career.    "Even with a kid like Steve, he's got so far to go from a technique standpoint and learning the technology. We could go a week on this and say this is a waste of time, or we could go a week and say this really has some promise. Obviously we saw enough things that we liked to take a shot on this."    Neal got connected with New England through agent Neil Cornrich, who also represents Belichick. Neal and Cornrich were introduced by 1996 Olympic Greco-Roman silver medalist Matt Ghaffari, and Cornrich sent Neal to workout at Ohio State. After showing some potential, he had his tryout at Foxboro Stadium with the Patriots.    Now, he's facing a very steep learning curve as he starts from scratch with terminology and defensive schemes.    "I feel like I'm one of you guys (the media)," Neal said. "I'm looking at all the guys they have in here, and I have a behind-the-scenes access pass. I get to see all these NFL guys, which is exciting. I'm here to try and work as they do and to learn more than they have to in short period of time."    Neal doesn't count on throwing players around like he did when he was on the mat.    "These guys are pretty big. The weight limit in wrestling is 285, and these guys are all 300," He said. "Wrestling is more about endurance, and this is more explosive and speed bursts. Beyond that, I'm interested in finding out what goes on here, just like all of you guys."    To make room for Neal, the team released offensive lineman Terrance Beadles. New England is at its roster limit, meaning any other signings would require a player to be let go.