"Coach Bill Belichick viewed Fred Taylor's return to practice yesterday much in the same manner as Sammy Morris's return to game action Monday night against the Saints: both were positive developments for the running game.

"It was great to have Fred back out there and Sammy, too,'' Belichick said after Taylor was spotted during the media-access portion at Gillette Stadium. Taylor has been out with a right ankle injury since the Patriots' 27-21 victory over the Ravens Oct. 4. He had surgery four days after the game to repair a torn ligament."