Fred Taylor Finds Motivation, Responsibility with New Team

During Fred Taylor's tenure with the Jaguars, he had his own training regimen.

That consisted of going to Miami and doing his own thing until he had to be in Jacksonville.

But in his first year up in Foxborough, Mass., Taylor is bucking his old habits and has joined his new teammates for organized team activities.

"This is all voluntary," Taylor told Vito Stellino for an NFL notebook in the Florida Times-Union. "If I'm going to be able to play with the guys that are on the team, then you volunteer to come on and try not to get ahead, but not be behind, not get yelled at too much. 

"I decided to come out here with the rookies and the other guys returning to the team. It's fun getting to know my teammates, getting to know the different faces around here, the coaches."

There are a plethora of reasons for Taylor to be around the Patriots as much as he can during the offseason—learning the plays, mentoring the younger running backs, getting accustomed with the coaching staff, etc.

Most importantly, Taylor understands that his stint in New England represents his best opportunity to win a Super Bowl before the sun sets on an illustrious career.

The relationship between Taylor and the Pats is mutually beneficial. New England gives Taylor a chance to win a championship and pass Jim Brown on the all-time rushing list, something he's said he really wants to do before he retires.

Taylor gives New England an established running back who can take the team's offense to the next level. Last year, the Patriots employed a backfield platoon of Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, LaMont Jordan, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

The 12-year veteran is already a considerable step up from all the aforementioned names. The fact that he's going the extra mile this year will ensure he has a great deal of success.