It’s been a spirited session today, after a couple of days of lackluster play. The team looks ready for its first road trip of ‘08 (and no doubt the final day of training camp as well).

We’re told Lynch is talking afterwards, so check out Patriots.com for Michael Parente’s update later this afternoon.

O’Connell thought he had a wide open Benjamin Watson about 20 yards downfield along the right hash. He rifled a bullet Watson’s way, but never saw Wheatley lingering off to Watson’s right. The rookie jumped across the front of Watson at the last second and picked off the pass, returning it about 30 yards before the whistle blew. Great anticipation and follow-through by Wheatley.

In what’s likely an effort to simulate crowd noise they’ll encounter in Tampa this weekend, the Pats coaches are blaring music over the loudspeakers out on the field as the O and D do battle. Normally, the music is played only during stretching and warmups at the start of practice.

The team is near midfield now running plays against one another. But the defense just did something wrong, as the entire unit is being forced to run a penalty lap around the field.

Must’ve been a busted coverage, because there wasn’t a defender within 10 yards of Moss as he ran a slant into the end zone here in red zone work. Cassel simply slung the ball to him, and Moss made the easy catch for a score.

The offense seems to have the upper hand against the defense so far in this practice, both running and passing.

Lynch, however, has been very active. He’s lining up in the nickel package with the first unit (Hobbs, Wheatley at corner, Spann and Meriweather at safety) covering the slot receiver.

Lynch was step for step with FB Heath Evans on a right corner route out of the backfield. The pass from rookie QB Kevin O’Connell sailed out of the back of the end zone, but Lynch would have had perfect position to defend the play anyway.

Newcomer Ade Jimoh just got Mossed a few moments ago, too. It was an arching pass to the left corner of the end zone, looking like it was heading out of bounds. But Moss leapt and snagged the ball at the right moment, sending up a chorus of cheers from the assembled fans.

C.J. Jones, who had a forgettable 4th quarter against Baltimore last week, caught a touchdown against rookie Terrence Wheatley, who was just a step behind as Jones ran straight for the right pylon along the goal line. QB Matt Cassel’s pass was perfectly placed … not much more Wheatley could have done.