"When apprised that Ray Lewis termed their relationship "a great rivalry,'' Fred Taylor flashed a knowing smile.

"Yeah, it's old school,'' said the Patriots running back.

Does it go back to the college gridiron, when Taylor was at Florida and Lewis at Miami?

"Nah, it doesn't go back to college,'' said Taylor, "because we didn't have the opportunity to play the 'Canes when I was there. I would've loved it.''

Today Taylor will get the opportunity to meet Lewis again on an NFL stage when the Ravens and Patriots square off at Gillette Stadium.

"I think both of us being Florida-bred guys, we loved each other and we hated each other,'' said Taylor.

"It's been [about] respect, first. He'll bang you up and you've got to get up off the ground and let him know that you're coming back. If you make him miss, or you get the best of him, he's definitely coming back. So it's a respect thing, first and foremost.''

Taylor, who last week recorded the 49th 100-yard game of his career (105 yards on 21 carries against the Falcons), recalled how he scored a touchdown on his first carry as a Jaguars rookie against the Ravens, then an AFC Central opponent.

"It was my first game and my first carry was a 52-yard touchdown against those guys,'' said Taylor. "It was my very first 100-yard game and I think I had my first 100-yard receiving game, too. But it started ever since then.''"