Practice is winding down and we’re packing up to go. That’s it for this week’s practices. Have fun Friday night. Football is back baby.

Rivers just caught a touchdown pass in the back of the end zone from Matt Cassel. After the catch, a giddy Fred Kirsch leaned over my shoulder and said, “It didn’t take him long to learn the system.” I think Fred already has Rivers in the Pro Bowl.

Sammy Morris just made an exceptional one-handed catch. After the reception, one reporter who had a different view on Morris yesterday jokingly barked out, “Take that Casale.” There you go Chip Heard. Now you know at least I’m being objective, even if you don’t agree with me.

Since my post that suggested you should keep an eye on Gemara Williams Friday night, he’s give up four touchdown receptions to three different receivers on the exact same play. Better get him back returning kicks as soon as possible.

Brandon Meriweather just got a taste of what it’s like trying to defend Tom Brady. Brady threw a perfect pass in the end zone to Wes Welker, who had a step on the rookie and safety Eugene Wilson. Welker was open but it was a perfect pass by Brady.

Another newbie, Dante Wesley, got the same treatment a few plays later when Brady lofted up a pass in the corner of the end zone for Jabar Gaffney. Gaffney located the ball in the air and came down with the reception before Wesley even knew what was happening.

Corey Mays just made a heck of an interception. Matt Gutierrez appeard to have completed a pass to Quinton Smith in the end zone. But Mays got his arm between Smith and the ball and as the two tumbled to the ground, the second-year linebacker ripped the ball away for the interception. Great play by Mays who has been quiet so far in training camp.

The team is working on red zone passing formations right now. Brady has thrown scoring strikes to Wes Welker, Garrett Mills, Sammy Morris, Kelley Washington and Kelvin Kight.

When the second-team offense went up against the starting defense, Matt Cassel threw a beautiful touchdown pass to Jabar Gaffney in the corner of the end zone. Gaffney beat Ellis Hobbs on the play.

The next pass by Cassel was intended for Garrett Mills but was broken up by Randall Gay. On the next play, Cassel again threw into traffic and almost had his pass picked off by James Sanders.

Gemara Williams. I know he’s still a long shot to make the team but Williams is having a very good camp. The second-year defensive back has been working with the first-team kickoff return unit and has showed some explosion in the open field. Williams has also made plays when he’s lined up at cornerback, picking off a couple of passes and sticking to receivers. Keep an eye on Williams Friday night because he’s been getting a lot of run in practice.

The new Patriots tight end was orginally drafted by the New York Giants in 2001 out of Oklahoma State. He was with the New Orleans Saints last year but didn’t appear in a regular season game. Rivers has 51 receptions in 14 career starts.

The team is about to do its annual rookie water slide. The veterans are spraying water on a hill and the rookies are sliding down it. This is usaully done after practice but the team is changing it up this year.