If there is one thing offensive coordinator Greg Roman likes to have for his offense it is options. Naturally every NFL play caller wants that because it helps to keep an offense unpredictable. Roman, however, likes to take it a step further. While he desires many options he wants them tied up in just a handful of players.

Though Roman’s offensive looks are greatly varied in alignment and personnel groupings, in an ideal world a lot of the same players will remain on the field down after down and series after series. To do that an offense needs versatile players who can serve in a multitude of roles.

Charles Clay, Percy Harvin and LeSean McCoy fit that bill exceptionally well.

Clay can be a blocker, split wide as a receiving option, catch the ball out of the backfield or take a hand-off.

“This guy is a hard guy to defend. He’s real multiple in what you can do with him. So he creates matchup problems,” said Bills head coach Rex Ryan in a recent interview on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550. “He’s too fast for a linebacker, he’s too big for a corner to cover. So you’ve got to love that matchup with him.

“He’s a guy who is perfectly suited for what we’re looking for in Greg Roman’s offense. He was a former fullback so you can put him in the backfield. So he can play fullback, tight end, the H-back spot and receiver. So there are a lot of things we can do with him. We love his versatility.”

Meanwhile Harvin can fill a receiving role inside or outside and even serve as a move player out of the offensive backfield.

“The flexibility he gives you… Percy is one of those rare guys you can put all over,” Ryan said. “You can put him in the backfield, run reverses with him, he’s an outstanding kick returner. The other thing that people don’t realize is he’s a tremendous receiver and he’s only getting better.”

via Chris Brown of buffalobills.com