"Fred Taylor spent the final three games of last season languishing on the Jacksonville Jaguars injured reserve list with a thumb injury.

If there is one way to tell if the Patriots running back is amped for Monday's opener, it is this:

"I was even excited for the preseason," said Taylor, the 12th-year veteran. "I'm just happy to get back to football. Period. I'm even more excited now that the live bullets are starting to fly. This should be fun."

The newest addition to a deep running back group, Taylor came to the Patriots with hopes of kick-starting a distinguished career that went slightly stale with the only team he ever played for. Jacksonville's all-time leading rusher will do so on the heels of the Pats' most productive rushing season ever.

Averaging 4.4 yards per carry with 2,278 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, Laurence Maroney and BenJarvus Green-Ellis also helped lead the league in first downs on the ground with 145. Taylor joins them against the Bills on "Monday Night Football," as the Pats try to continue that trend.

"If you're running the ball a lot and doing it effectively, it sets the tempo for the game," guard Logan Mankins said. "You want to stay balanced."

Coach Bill Belichick may have displayed his run-first intent by keeping five backs. It is worth noting that the last back on the depth chart - Green-Ellis - led the NFL with 249 yards in the preseason.

Belichick showed his hand again by acquiring bulky tight end Michael Matthews from the Giants. Matthews took pride in calling himself, "a physical player, a blocking tight end."

To keep pressure off quarterback Tom Brady and to keep a young defense off the field, the running game is essential against a Buffalo team that was 20th against the run in 2008.

"It's great to have those guys in the backfield. Definitely a very talented backfield," left tackle Matt Light said. "It's nice to have guys with a ton of experience who can do a lot of great things. That'll hopefully be a strength."

The onus falls on Taylor and Maroney, who is intent on proving that he has successfully returned from a broken shoulder to fulfill his promise.

As for Taylor, he's just thrilled to be back. During a grueling camp filled with two-a-days, the 33-year-old stayed fresh, whether catching an unscheduled nap or hopping in the ice tub to refresh his body.

"I took advantage of the small things," Taylor said, "and I feel pretty good."

Taylor worked with the Pats' offensive line plenty since he signed Feb. 27. He does feel comfortable running behind it, but his focus is on adjusting to what happens during a play.

"My job has always been and always will be to react," Taylor said. "Knowing how the play is going to be blocked, as a running back, you have to be instinctive and react to it."

Mankins says the main point is for the back to trust that the line is going to do its job. Taylor does."