Taylor is looking forward to running into Lewis again
FOXBOROUGH - 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.’’
And No. 52 never laid a hand on Taylor on his 52-yard TD jaunt.
“It was a toss play to the left, cut it back all the way to the right,’’ Taylor said. “I never looked at it from that perspective - 52 being his number - but that’s the Lord’s given truth. I cut it back and he got caught up in the wash. It was one of their safeties that I had to speed up on to get in the end zone.’’
When Taylor hit pay dirt, he said, “I didn’t know what to do with the ball. I didn’t want to spike it because I didn’t want to lose it, so it was glued to my hands. It was a good memory, a lot of good memories playing the Ravens.’’
What memories does Taylor have of Lewis?
“There’s been some great matchups,’’ Taylor said. “Ray brings out the best in you, because you know what he’s going to bring to the table - the competitiveness, the fierceness.
“I don’t know much about the old-school linebackers other than what you’ve learned about with the [Mike] Singletarys and the Dick Butkuses, but I’m pretty sure the next generation, they’ll be talking about Ray like that. He’s that type of guy.’’
