"Fred Taylor has seen just about everything over a career that has spanned 13 seasons and 151 games. But last Sunday against the Packers, he experienced something he'd never been through before.

The Patriots veteran running back was a healthy scratch for the first time ever.

"Ever," Taylor told the Herald, pausing for emphasis. "But there's time for a lot of firsts. Last week was my first time practicing in the snow. Yeah, I don't read into it any type of way, other than that's how the numbers count came about."

Relegated to fourth-string thanks to sitting out most of the year with turf toe, the 34-year-old is realistic. Told some veterans would be insulted by such a situation (as linebacker Adalius Thomas was last year), Taylor insisted "the same smile will be on my face."

"I'm not insulted by any means," the former Pro Bowler added. "Of course I wanted to play, they know that. I know what I'm up against.""