The offer sheet the Bills presented to Charles Clay this past spring raised eyebrows. Not many in the NFL valued the tight end's potential to be a difference maker in a passing game the way the Bills did. There were some outside observers that even snickered that Buffalo overpaid to land Clay as an offensive addition. After just three games in a Buffalo uniform no one is debating Clay's value now.
Clay, who came into Sunday's game at Miami with seven catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, almost doubled that output in Buffalo's Week 3 victory alone. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman made him an early focal point in the game plan against the Dolphins as he had Tyrod Taylor throwing on the first five plays of their opening scoring drive.
Three of those passes went to Clay, including a 25-yard catch and run in which he eluded three would-be tacklers on his way to the end zone for a touchdown.
"It was big," Clay said. "Anytime your number is called and you get that chance to make a play for your team… I go out every day and prove that I can be dependable to my teammates. To call my number three times, that says a lot."
"Like he said after the game he didn't know where the jukes came from, but he definitely has them in his game," said Taylor chuckling.
Clay has that and a whole lot more. A natural mismatch when detached from the formation, Taylor opened the first offensive series with a nine-yard pass to the left to Clay. He promptly went right back to Clay for a 24-yard pickup on the next play from scrimmage, which moved Buffalo into Miami territory.
"I'm definitely confident in the mismatches he's going to receive or the matchups he's going to get throughout the year," said Taylor. "You get a guy like that who is very talented at the tight end position who is going against linebackers and we like those matchups and the moves that he made once he got the football."
Three plays later Taylor found Clay on a delayed release play and the tight end did the rest from there to score.
"It was a play where I was kind of blocking or showing that I was blocking first and then ran a shallow route and Tyrod did a good job of buying time and kind of waiting," said Clay. "It took a little longer to make the play and he delivered the ball and at that point I was just trying to make a play."
"He's actually one in that progression," said Taylor. "It's something that we've been working on just to sell the hard play action and get him out the back door. He did a good job of selling it and getting into the open space."
Clay then outran the Miami LB Koa Misi as he turned up field, broke through an arm tackle of S Mike Thomas and then juked CB Brice McCain just before reaching the goal line for the touchdown.
It may have been viewed by some as redemption for Clay against his former team, who chose not to match the Bills offer sheet to retain him. For Clay the victory was important, but there were no hard feelings.
"It's always good when you get a chance to come back and play your former team and see those guys, so many familiar faces," he said. "To get a chance to go against them and then to come out on top is a great feeling. At the same time it's just one win, so you can't get too high on yourself. You've got to come back next week and play another game."
On the team's second touchdown drive, Clay contributed a 12-yard play to convert a 3rd-and-10 and on a field goal drive late in the half he had another 12-yard catch to move the chains on a 2nd-and-11 situation.
"Well, again, that's part of that mismatch that you have with a guy who can do it all," said head coach Rex Ryan. "He's outstanding as a blocker, an outstanding receiver. You have matchup issues when you're trying to play man [coverage] against him. [Offensive coordinator] Greg [Roman] did a great job, and Tyrod did a great job of finding him."
Clay didn't catch a pass in the second half. He was targeted only once, but the damage had already been done. And as far as the humble tight end is concerned he's just ready to execute his role in whatever capacity he asked to fill.
"I'm not going to complain at all," he said. "When you're winning football games, whether they want me blocking all game or catching passes I'm all for it. We'll just keep going out there and keep executing and go from there."
Photos of all the action from week 3: Dolphins vs. Bills.
Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) evades a tackle by Miami Dolphins cornerback Brice McCain (24) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens , Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) jumps to block a pass by Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. To the right is Buffalo Bills wide receiver Percy Harvin (18) and wide receiver Robert Woods (10)(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to pass under pressure from Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) run away from a tackle by Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Koa Misi (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan is seen on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) runs with the ball during the first half an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) grabs a pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams (29) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills punter Colton Schmidt (6) returns the ball but is roughed up by the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills regain control of the ball. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Percy Harvin (18) runs the ball between Miami Dolphins strong safety Reshad Jones (20) and cornerback Brent Grimes (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miko Grimes, the wife of Grimes, was arrested Sunday after Miami lost to the Buffalo Bills. According to a Miami-Dade Police news release, Grimes was arrested in the parking lot of Sunlife Stadium after the game. Miko Grimes is facing charges that include disorderly conduct, battery on a police officer and resisting arrest with violence. No details were given about what led to the arrest. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Tyrod Taylor, de los Bills de Búfalo, corre con el balón durante el encuentro ante los Dolphins de Miami, el domingo 27 de septiembre de 2015 (AP Foto/Wilfredo Lee)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) hands the ball to Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams (29) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 41-14. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan, left, shakes hands with Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin during the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 41-14. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey (51) greets Buffalo Bills offensive guard Richie Incognito (64) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 41-14. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) signs autographs at the end of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 41-14. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills offensive guard Richie Incognito (64) raises his helmet at the end of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 41-14. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
