ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) – Cornerback Antoine Winfield questioned the Buffalo Bills’ pass-oriented philosophy and wondered whether it’s become predictable.

“At times I’ll be on the sideline and say, ‘Why don’t they run?”‘ Winfield wrote in this week’s edition of Bills Digest, a weekly publication that’s partly controlled by the Bills. “I don’t know how effective the bye-week self-scouting was for the offense. We’re still doing the same things that we did before that point. Perhaps, they’re too predictable.”

Winfield then noted offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride for attempting to duplicate last season’s passing success despite the team losing No. 2 receiver Peerless Price, who was traded to Atlanta in March, and pass-catching tight end Jay Riemersma, who was released for salary cap reasons in February.

“We just don’t have the personnel to run that offense,” Winfield wrote. “But he’s the coach. All we do is execute the calls.”

Winfield’s comments were published under the heading, “Player Diary by Antoine Winfield,” in an edition that was released on Monday, a day after Buffalo’s 17-14 loss to Indianapolis.

Winfield did not return messages left for him by The Associated Press. His agent, Richard Katz, said he was also unable to reach his client.

Bills players had the day off on Tuesday before returning for practice on Wednesday, when the team begins preparing for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants at the Meadowlands.

The Bills declined comment.

Winfield’s comments come at a time when the Drew Bledsoe-led offense is banged-up and struggling. Buffalo (4-7) has lost four straight and seven of its last nine.

Bledsoe has failed to throw for 200 or more yards five times this season, including his last four outings. His 2,171 yards passing this season pale in comparison to last year’s performance, Bledsoe’s first in Buffalo, when he finished second in the NFL and set a franchise record with 4,359 yards.

Price’s departure is a factor for the dropoff. He finished last season with 94 catches for 1,252 yards, second behind Eric Moulds’ 100 catches for 1,292 yards.

Moulds has been limited this season, missing three of Buffalo’s last six games with a slightly torn groin. The Bills next two receivers, Josh Reed and Bobby Shaw, have failed to replace Price as a deep threat, combining for only 963 yards receiving.

Bledsoe, in his last nine games, has more interceptions – eight – than touchdown passes – three.

Buffalo also went three straight games without a touchdown, a streak that ended with Bledsoe’s 1-yard plunge against Indianapolis.

Winfield accepted some of the blame for the Bills struggles, noting he had a potential interception bounce out of his hands in Buffalo’s 10-6 loss to Dallas on Nov. 9.

AP-ES-11-25-03 1846EST