A Week four ankle injury against the Baltimore Ravens sidelined RB Fred Taylorfor much of the regular season before returning against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. Now recovered enough to play, Taylor is looking to make an immediate impact in Sunday's playoff game against those same Ravens. "I have the same mind-set," Taylor said according to the Boston Globe. "I'm trying to get healthier. I never try and put a number on it, but I do feel good. I feel like it's go time. It's crunch time." Prior to being injured, Taylor was was the team's leading rusher with 201 yards on 45 carries. He's played in seven postseason games averages 87.4 yards per games.
The *MetroWest Daily News *writes that Taylorrushed for over 100 yards in three of his first four playoff games as well.
Former Patriots S Rodney Harrison weighs in on WR Wes Welker's injury. Click here to read his viewpoint.
The *Boston Globe *reports DL Ty Warren was spotted "walking with a slight limp" due to an ankle injury. Despite the injury, Warren is expected to start against the Ravens come Sunday. "I'm ready to go this week unless something happens. I'm looking to contribute and I'm ready to work," said Warren.
WR Matthew Slater is preparing for more than his special teams duties. The *Boston Herald *reports Slater is expected to have a role in the offense as the team attemps to fill the void left by injured WR Wes Welker. "Everybody's role changes, obviously, with Wes being down," said Slater, a receiver and kick returner in college. "(Coaches) give you the heads-up what they expect of you, how you'll be slotted here or here. Go from there and see what happens." Slater has only a 6-yard rush to his credit on offense during the regular season.
Want to know the Patriot who spends the most time on the field? ESPN Boston has you covered on the team's playtime chart.
The Patriots accepted the seventh-fewest penalties in the NFL according to ESPN Boston and the Ravens tallied 115 accepted penalties placing them in a three-team tie for the third-most.
Bill Belichick had made it clear that a one-game season is on the horizon according to The Enterprise. "We all need to take heed to that, whether we've been in the playoffs or not been in the playoffs. Leave no stone unturned. Do everything that you possibly can, be ready to go and perform your best this week. Worry about next week next week." Belichick has compiled a 15-4 playoff record.
Depending on what transpires in the playoffs, the Patriots could pick as high as 21st if they get knocked out in the Wild card round or as low as 32nd if they win the Super Bowl, says the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. The 2010 NFL Draft starts on April 22, and will be broadcasted on ESPN and the NFL Network.
Former Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi on the team's chances of reaching the Super Bowl from the USA Today. "They have the ability to do it again because they know the formula. Coach Belichick's style is that no one player is highlighted, everyone is part of the team." Bruschi added, "when you have a team approach, everyone is considered equal, and when a player goes down, it's 'Who's next?' That's the way it's always been," he said in referring to the injured Wes Welker.
RB Fred Taylorknows the team has confidence in rookie WR Julian Edelman, and let his friends hear all about it. "I was excited," Taylor said yesterday according to the *Assosiated Press. *"I told a lot of my friends we have another young guy very similar to Wes Welker and you'll remember his name."
