What gives?

ESPN analyst and former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer has pored over tons of Patriots game film. And he believes their struggles in the second half can be traced to not being as multifaceted and multidimensional as they have been in years past.

``They are very, very predictable in what they're doing,'' Dilfer told the Herald last week. ``It happens to every team that becomes -- I don't want to say one-dimensional -- but they become limited in what they show a defense. And, what the Patriots have become, is very stagnant offensively.

``When they run the ball, they're going to run it out of a loaded formation. Tom Brady's going to be under center. Their answer off of that is play-action and (throwing) deep routes. Everything else, is the shotgun with one back, and they're going to have (Wes) Welker in the slot. They may have a little window dressing on it, but they're going to have their individual matchups ... they'll throw perimeter routes, if they get two high safeties, they'll work Welker to the middle. But it's so simplistic from a defensive perspective.''

That kind of simplicity makes it easier for defenses to contain them, and prevent them from scoring with the alacrity they usually show in the first half. Defenses get used to the Patriots' tendencies.

``When an offense becomes simplistic, and loses its multiplicity, the defense becomes comfortable with what they're seeing in the second half,'' Dilfer said. ``They don't have to think as much. Any time a defense doesn't have to think, they're going to play better. So if you're giving them less to think about, less window dressing, less to prepare against, (fewer) bells and whistles, the better they're going to play -- and I really believe this is what's happening to the Patriots in the second halves of games.''

Dilfer can understand why the Pats are calling the same plays, with the confidence they will work. But he wonders why they are allowing defense to get comfortable with what they are seeing.

Why haven't Pats coach Bill Belichick and quarterbacks coach Bill O'Brien, who is presumed to be calling the plays, been able to recognize this foible?

``Because they're stuck in this rut, where they've always done this well, so they say to themselves, `Why can't we keep doing it well?' '' Dilfer said. ``(Former Seahawks coach) Mike Holmgren would say the same thing. There's a lot of people that disagree with the philosophy that you have to confuse defenses. I personally don't think it's up for debate. I've talked to a lot of defensive players and a lot of defensive coordinators. If they believe they know what's coming before it comes, they feel they have a very good chance of stopping it. When they're hesitant, that's when they struggle.''

Dilfer said the Pats are relying on many of the same plays they used during the record-setting 2007 season. The difference in 2009?

``In 2007, with Randy (Moss) and Tom, it was sick,'' Dilfer said. ``When they got one-on-one matchups outside, when Randy was 'singled', when there was a one-high safety look, whether it was the hitch, whether it was the quick out, whether it was the bomb, whether it was the crossing route, whether it was the slant, it was unstoppable. That is not the case this year.''

That record-setting offense was also a lot more ``multiple,'' as Dilfer terms it. They ran the ball a lot more from the shotgun, and disguised more through their formations.

``Now, they don't show you a lot of different looks. There's not a lot of personnel groupings, there's not a lot of formations, not a lot of window dressing,'' Dilfer said. ``When you don't have those things, those elements are part of the secret sauce that allows you to execute. It gives you the advantage that allows you to execute at a higher level.''

So it would seem the predictable nature of the offense falls back on O'Brien, the de facto offensive coordinator. Dilfer doesn't buy the notion the tight ends haven't been as involved because they are mostly needed as blockers.

``That's play calling. You can do other things to get your tight end involved,'' he said. ``The 49ers don't pass protect very well, yet Vernon Davis is having a big year. That's garbage there. That's a lack of understanding how to get your tight ends involved in the game.''

A possible solution?

``There's a saying, `You can't see the forest (for) the trees.' I think that's exactly what happens. I've done it as a quarterback. Sometimes you lose perspective, because you're so caught up in the problem, and how do I fix it,'' Dilfer said. ``So you've got to sit back and get a more global perspective. What aren't we doing? Is there something we're not showing? Is there something we're not creating the illusion of, that would better allow us to execute?''

Then again, the offense isn't the crux of the problem. The Patriots are scoring more than 27 teams in the NFL. Yet, they need to score more, because the other side isn't holding up.

Welcoming the rookies

Often, traditions are passed down from one player to the next. It might be a custom, or an in-kind gesture that's extended or carried on. When Pierre Woods was a rookie with the Patriots , he remembered Mike Vrabel extending a hand to him, and inviting him into his home to live.

Instead of Woods trying to find a place, and dealing with rookie life on his own, Vrabel, who had a wife and kids, offered to have the linebacker stay in his basement.

``I didn't want to be a burden, but it was no burden to him,'' Woods said of Vrabel. ``He was just a good guy. He looked out for me, and I really appreciated that.''

Knowing how much that act of generosity helped, knowing what it was like to be able to stay with a veteran like Vrabel, Woods extended a helping hand to a rookie this year.

He offered to have Julian Edelman stay at his place, and the wide receiver gladly accepted.

``Julian was looking for an apartment, and I had an extra room,'' Woods said, ``so I told him to stay, man. He said he wanted to see if he made the team. I told him, 'Don't worry, it'll be cool. Don't worry about none of that. Just do what you have to do.' And he moved in. He's my roommate now. We hang out, watch film, talk about Football, talk about life. He's a good guy.''

Is he neat?

``I don't know. I don't go near his room, so I wouldn't know if a tornado hit it,'' Woods joked. ``But I think he's a neat guy. I'm a bit of a packrat with mail.''

So who does the dishes?

``We take turns,'' Woods said. ``We take turns with the dishes and taking out the trash and things like that. I don't like to use the dishwasher. He does that more than me. I like to wash the dishes myself and make sure they're clean.''

Woods remembers what it was like to be a rookie, and how it can be.

``Some guys treat rookies differently,'' he said. ``For the most part though, everyone in this locker room treats rookies good. You have to go through with the stuff like getting doughnuts, carrying pads in camp, stuff like that. We all had to do that.''

Willing and Vrabel

Chiefs linebacker Vrabel flipped off the Denver sideline during last Sunday's blowout loss. The former Patriot got a little upset when the Broncos scored a touchdown on a fourth-and-1 play with a 21-point lead.

Vrabel told the Kansas City Star that with the exception of losing it during that incident, he hasn't changed from the player he was with the Pats.

``Anybody can play for a 12-2 team in December,'' Vrabel said. ``When things are good, it's all fun and games. This is not fun and games. But we're going to stay professional about it. Has it been different? Yes. But I expected it to be different. It's not that I like it any less. There are good guys here. This can be a humbling business. We're all measured by the success of the team.

``You can't really sit there and wallow in it. We've got to finish strong and start developing a program around here that people want to be a part of.''

T.O. will be good to go

The Buffalo media last week tried to get a read on Terrell Owens and his future after his one-year contract expires. When asked how much more Football he had left in him, Owens, who just turned 36, said he thought he had two more good years left in him.

``I feel great,'' he said. ``I'm out here running around and having fun and I think for me, as long as I can produce (and be) in the right system ... if I can go to a team where it works for me, then I feel like I could succeed and I could be productive.''

Owens has been much more effective and useful since Ryan Fitzpatrick took over as the Bills quarterback. When asked about the possibility of remaining in Buffalo, Owens seemed open to the idea.

``I'm not going to limit myself and discount any type of situation,'' he said. ``For me, like I said, I know I can play. It's all about the opportunities in the right system. I can flourish anywhere.''

McInally goes by the book

We caught up with former Cincinnati Bengals punter and wideout Pat McInally, who was the only Harvard graduate to play in a Super Bowl and Pro Bowl, and the only NFL player to achieve a perfect score on the Wonderlic test. He has a fascinating hobby.

McInally has one of the foremost collections of children's literature, some of which, roughly $1 million worth, he'll be putting up for auction Wednesday as part of Profile in History's Holiday Sale.

The top items include the ``real'' Alice's copy of ``Through the Looking Glass,'' Beatrix Potter's personal copy of ``The Tale of Peter Rabbit,'' and A.A. Milne signed Limited Edition copies of Winnie the Pooh. Internet bidders can go to icollector.com, or liveauctioneers.com to search for McInally's items.

McInally began collecting when he first signed with the Bengals.

``The first monies I spent out of my signing bonus was for a book collection,'' McInally said when reached by phone Friday. ``But it's always fun to sell, and re-buy.''

As a kid, McInally grew up in Anaheim, Calif., and lived a stone's throw away from Disneyland.

``I'd go to the movie theater and watch Winnie the Pooh, so I guess that started it,'' McInally said. ``But I pretty much have everything I want in children's (literature). I've kept my Harry Potter collection and my Shepard and Milne collection and Winnie the Pooh collection still intact. So now it's a matter of just buying interesting individual items.''

--kguregian@bostonherald.com

GRAPHIC: Karen Guregian's NFL power rankings

1. Saints (12-0)

Just knew someone would bring up voodoo after the escape vs. the Redskins.

2. Colts (12-0)

They'd be crazy to ease up on the gas pedal as they've done in the past.

3. Vikings (10-2)

For the first time, Brett Favre looked like the old Favre. Not what you're looking for.

4. Chargers (9-3)

Can you believe Norv Turner has never lost in December while coaching San Diego?

5. Bengals (9-3)

In breaking news, Ochocino has now moved on to Ochotron.

6. Cardinals (8-4)

Can't remember the last time a defense held Adrian Peterson to 19 yards rushing.

7. Packers (8-4)

Remember Dom Capers? He's made the Pack No. 1 in total defense.

8. Eagles (8-4)

Nice of them to take Michael Vick out of mothballs to score a touchdown in Atlanta.

9. Broncos (8-4)

Think Josh McDaniels will go for it on fourth-and-2 when he has his chance to beat the Colts today?

10. Giants (7-5)

Nice to have Brandon Jacobs chewing up yards when Eli Manning is struggling.

11. Cowboys (8-4)

You know it's December when the losses start piling up.

12. Patriots (7-5)

Will Adalius Thomas show up? Or will it be George Jetson?

13. Ravens (6-6)

They gave a pass-interference clinic Monday night.

14. Jaguars (7-5)

Love those Tim Tebow draft rumors, especially with the team in playoff contention.

15. Titans (5-7)

The playoff pursuit is done. Now for Chris Johnson's pursuit of 2,000 rushing yards.

16. Jets (6-6)

One would assume Kellen Clemens knows how to slide.

17. Dolphins (6-6)

Chad Henne an NFL gunslinger? Thanks, Pats.

18. Falcons (6-6)

Chris Redman had his 15 minutes of fame. He turned into a pumpkin last week.

19. Steelers (6-7)

Losing five straight is one thing. Losing to the Browns is another.

20. Texans (5-7)

Forever mediocre. Not what owner Bob McNair is looking for.

21. Niners (5-7)

They may not be winning, but Alex Smith is winning over fans.

22. Bears (5-7)

If McDaniels wanted no part of Jay Cutler, why would Charlie Weis have interest?

23. Panthers (5-7)

If the Panthers are smart, they'll ditch the run and throw the Football today in Foxboro.

24. Seahawks (5-7)

Olindo Mare hasn't missed a field goal since getting ripped by coach Jim Mora in Week 3.

25. Raiders (4-8)

They've had more impressive wins than the Pats.

26. Redskins (3-9)

There's no prize for leading the league in moral victories.

27. Bills (4-8)

Don't think the ``home'' fans in Toronto liked what they saw any more than the ones in Buffalo.

28. Chiefs (3-9)

Matt Cassel has gone back to looking more like a backup.

29. Lions (2-10)

Why is Matthew Stafford playing through a shoulder injury in meaningless games?

30. Browns (2-11)

A pound of Steeler flesh an early Christmas present for the ``Dawg Pound.''

31. Rams (1-11)

They should be studying up on the best college quarterbacks for the 2010 draft.

32. Buccaneers (1-11)

Josh Freeman isn't the first guy to throw five picks in one game. He won't be the last.

STAFF GRAPHIC

GRAPHIC: SLIPPED CLUTCH; In fourth quarter, has Brady lost it?

When Tom Brady failed to rally the Patriots to victory in the final minute of last week's 22-21 loss to the Dolphins, it was yet another indication that, for whatever reason, the former league MVP has yet to fully return to the form he enjoyed before the injury that cost him virtually the entire 2008 season.

With just one come-from-behind victory to his credit this season (and that in the inexplicably Bills-aided season-opening win), Brady has yet to show the fourth-quarter resiliency that has typified his remarkable career. Since first becoming the starter in 2001, Brady has engineered a minimum of three fourth-quarterback comebacks each season, save for 2006 when he rallied the Pats for wins in just two of his four opportunities.

Reflective of the Patriots' general difficulties in closing games this year, Brady's 2009 passing stats in situations deemed ``close and late'' (up or down by seven points in the fourth quarter) are the worst of his career. He has the fewest yards overall, fewest yards per attempt, and only his neophyte season of '01 ranked lower in passer rating and completion percentage:

A look at Brady's career close-and-late numbers, plus his total come-from-behind wins, by season:

Total

G Rate Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int CFB wins

2009 7 58.1 30 55 54.5 260 4.7 1 2 1

2007 6 108.9 33 56 58.9 556 9.9 4 1 5

2006 9 66.1 36 56 64.3 380 6.8 2 4 2

2005 5 114.6 19 24 79.2 296 12.3 1 1 5

2004 8 65.2 23 41 56.1 301 7.3 2 3 3

2003 11 99.9 39 66 59.1 449 6.8 4 0 5

2002 5 122.9 26 38 68.4 342 9.0 3 0 5

2001 7 51.9 30 57 52.6 301 5.3 1 3 3

SOURCE: ELIAS SPORTS BUREAU

TEXT/STAFF GRAPHIC BY NATE DOW