"Fred Taylor has been around the NFL long enough to learn a few things. So when the Patriots running back saw the swarm of reporters surrounding his locker after yesterday's 26-10 win against the Falcons, he knew his time flying under the radar was finished.

After two relatively quiet games to start the season, Taylor broke out, rushing 21 times for 105 yards and a touchdown. It was a performance that brought back memories of the 12-year veteran's time in Jacksonville, where he established himself as one of the league's top backs.

Taylor's time in Jacksonville came to an end in February when he was released following a season in which he was limited by a thumb injury. The Pats signed Taylor two weeks later, but with the team airing it out 100 times in the first two games, his involvement was limited.

Yesterday, the Pats turned to the running game, and the 33-year-old answered the call.

"Each guy has to be ready," said Taylor, who moved to 15th on the NFL's career rushing list. "If you're not out there getting in a groove touching the ball, you can turn into a block of ice on the sideline and then you're not ready."

It appeared Taylor again would be relegated to secondary status, as Laurence Maroney [stats] and Sammy Morris did the ground work on the Pats' first drive. But with Maroney forced to the sideline by a thigh injury, Taylor got the call.

He delivered immediately. With the ball on the Falcons 41-yard line, Taylor carried four straight times, the final play an 8-yard touchdown to give the Patriots a 10-3 lead.

"My job was just to run straight. I didn't do much," Taylor said of the drive. "On the touchdown run, you see I walked in the end zone. So the offensive line, they blocked it up like they're supposed to.""