FOXBORO – When media gathered in the bleachers along the fields behind Gillette Stadium for their first chance to watch one of the New England Patriots’ on-field sessions, it became clear that most of the participants were younger, without a lot of playing time under their belt.

But then No. 21 was spotted.

And he is anything but an NFL neophyte.

While others of the Patriots’ free-agent signees, such as Shawn Springs, Leigh Bodden and Joey Galloway sat out the day (it is voluntary), Fred Taylor was front-and-center, taking handoffs alongside BenJarvus Green-Ellis and undrafted rookie Eric Kettani.

But Taylor was happy, even a little excited, to be on the field with his new team.

“If I’m going to be able to play with the guys that are on the team, then you volunteer to come and try, and not get ahead, but not be behind and not get yelled at too much," Taylor said. “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 all the different faces around here."

Jacksonville’s career rushing leader, one of Taylor’s biggest challenges is learning a new playbook after so many seasons with the Jaguars.

“That’s the most important thing for me at this point. Most important," he said. “I just came here to do a job. I’ve been working in this business for 11 years. I want to learn the playbook so I don’t have to hesitate. I don’t want to feel like a rookie out there. I listen. I’ve always been coachable. Whatever I got to do I do it, but it starts with learning the plays first."

While he remains beloved in Jacksonville — he was released by the Jags because of his contract number and the team’s desire to get younger at the position, shifting primary duties to Maurice Jones-Drew — Taylor has embraced his new colors.

“Every day I worked out in South Florida I (have) on some type of Patriots gear and the guys down there, they tease me all the time. They tell me it seems like I’ve been a part of their team forever the way I wear (so much New England gear)," Taylor said. “It’s some nice colors. I’ve always admired this team."

Speaking of his Florida workouts, Taylor said the recent report that he injured his wrist was “a little blown out of proportion. It’s a minor slip-up at a workout."

Despite being 11 years older than Kettani and 9 years Green-Ellis’ senior, Taylor said the younger players inspire him.

He did play along, however, when asked how much tread is left on his tires after over a decade of toting the ball for the Jaguars.

“I can’t put a number on it, but I’ve always said I’ll run until the wheels fall off. If you’re going to drive, get [tire] rotations or whatever, but when those tires come off, you’re in trouble," he joked. “I’m going to keep going forward."

A first-round draft pick in 1998, Taylor has accumulated 11,271 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and 62 touchdowns in his career.

His resume is already impressive, but Taylor is still motivated for more.

“I love to win. I’m very competitive. We play this game to try to win a championship. We just got to push forward. First and foremost, I just want to learn the daggone plays first," he joked.

That’s not all though.

“I've always said that I wanted to catch Jim Brown," he said of the Hall of Famer, who accumulated just over 1,000 more yards than Taylor has. “Whether I do or don't, it's been great playing in the NFL for this long. When you look at the average life span of a player, things that I've gone through throughout my career with injuries.… I've just got to keep moving forward. Whatever I end with, I'll take it."

smanza@projo.com