"Heading into his 12th NFL season, Fred Taylor may know more about his own running style than anyone else. He can easily explain what made him a quality back with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It's not speed, though he can still run. And it's not power, though he's busted more tackles than he can count.

Instead, the reason for Taylor's success - and what made Patriots coach Bill Belichick bring him to Foxboro - is that he creates yards when none seem to exist.

"Even if it's not blocked up all the way, I have to make something happen," said Taylor, the 33-year-old who is slated to make a reported $3 million in 2009. "That's the reason they brought me here. I can make things happen if something breaks down."

There was no opportunity to prove it during the first preseason game in Philadelphia as Laurence Maroney started and Taylor sat in full pads.

Thursday night vs. the Bengals was the first chance to see Taylor at full speed in a Patriots uniform. And the veteran gained 26 yards on seven carries, including a tough 10-yard, inside run. Finally, Taylor, it seemed, had arrived as a Patriot.

"We felt good about Fred," Belichick said. "He's been very consistent all the way through (camp). I thought he did good things (in) his first real opportunity. He ran the ball well, broke some tackles, made some guys miss, and played physically."

Just hearing quarterback Tom Brady call the play and watching it unfold faster than it ever does in practice was enough to please Taylor. He didn't mind fighting for extra yardage, either.

"It feels good to get back out and get some game action," said Taylor, a 6-foot-1, 228-pounder who made his first Pro Bowl in 2007 after his 10th season in the NFL. "Just to get hit a little bit and start to get ready for the season as we go."

Taylor's performance didn't light up the scoreboard. Neither, for that matter, did Maroney with his six-carry, 14-yard performance the week before. Perhaps that means the two backs will split carries evenly from the outset in a crowded backfield.

Regardless, it likely means you'll see plenty of Taylor, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry in 2007, but a career-low 3.9 yards in 2008.

Belichick said Taylor showed enough of a burst Thursday to prove the signing is worthwhile. Not that it surprised him.

"It's all been real positive with Fred from Day 1, in spring practices and (organized team activities)," Belichick said. "Fred showed up very well in the passing game. We felt best about him in his run skills, but we didn't really get a chance to see that (without pads). In training camp, Fred's done a good job in tackling drills. He's done a good job in running drills with the vision and playing with a good pad level and seeing things and making quick cuts and setting up blocks."

Taylor has helped in the locker room, too, mentoring Maroney in an attempt to help the fourth-year back get his game untracked.

"Learning from Fred is definitely a great thing," Maroney said.

If there were questions about Taylor's familiarity with his new offense it was answered in the 7-6 loss to the Bengals. He not only drew the starting assignment, but did so in a four-wide receiver, no-huddle, fast-paced attack."