Belichick has blown the final whistle for tonight. There’s definitely a different feel to these last few practices, with a clear concentration on game preparation and situational work.

Practice tomorrow is at 2:30 pm Eastern, open to the public.

Cassel rattled off a nice string of completions before giving it up to rookie Brandon Meriweather. He kind of telegraphed where he was going with the ball, and Meriweather jumped in front of the receiver for the INT. He could have taken it all the way, but wisely took a knee (remember, this was a game-type situation, with the defense holding an 8-point lead).

With 5 seconds to go, from 30 yards out, Cassel barely missed a wide open Benjamin Watson in the back of the end zone.

Clock is reset, same situation, going the other way, with the ball now on the Pats’ 35.

16 picked up a first down firing bullets to various receivers. Ball’s now at midfield, first and 10…25 seconds to go…

The PA announcer informed us that the Pats have the ball on their own 25 with a minute, 30 left in the “game,” one timeout, and down 8 points. They’ll play out this drive to its conclusion.

Stay tuned…

Number 21 seems no worse for the wear. He’s in on defense at left corner.

AD just intercepted Cassel at the 50 and took it to the house.

We’re in 11-on-11 mode now, with Cassel still behind center. He tried a screen pass to Maroney, but the D read it well and stuffed it.

Baugher and Malone taking turns. Miller’s chillin’ on the sidelines, helmet in hand.

Welker, Faulk, and Childress doing the returning, such as it is.

Baugher’s boomin’ ‘em. Malone’s not bad, but not nearly as good as Baugher right now.

Randall has returned, elbow wrapped in an Ace bandage, according to good ol’ Freddie Socks-and-Sandals, who’s up here now with his binoculars.

And the famous Mrs. B, one of the Fans of the Year, is sitting next to me, offering her critique of the audio levels on our microphones on PFW in Progress. Maybe she should be producing the show instead of Gary.

Oh, and Tom, not sure why Woods isn’t here…as for Malone, well, you know.

Rookie Matt Gutierrez is taking snaps now. He just completed a dart to Reche Caldwell in traffic.