The Bills made several big moves this offseason, including hiring Greg Roman to be their offensive coordinator and signing tight end Charles Clay away from the Dolphins as a restricted free agent.
Those two moves appear to be closely related. Vernon Davis had a poor 2014 season, but he was used heavily while lining up in a variety of spots during Roman’s time with the 49ers and tight end MarQueis Gray says the Bills are making similar plans for Clay and the other players at the position heading into the 2015 season.
“This offense right here is tight end heaven,” Gray said, via the Buffalo News. “We move around so much that we really play receiver, slot, we play everything but running back. You could line up at any of those spots -- that’s the best part about this offense.”
Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News points out that this would represent a change in roles for Bills tight ends from the recent past and the $24.5 million that Clay will make over the next two years suggests that the team is set on making him a key part of their offense.
As with any discussion of the Bills offensive plans this offseason, we’re obliged to point out the underwhelming quarterback group competing to throw passes to Clay, Gray and the rest of the team’s receivers. Davis helped Colin Kaepernick thrive early in his tenure with the 49ers, though, and Roman and the Bills likely hope the same can happen with their tight ends this year.