Rex Ryan Would Welcome LeBron James to Play TE for Buffalo Bills

LeBron James is currently trying to figure out how his Cleveland Cavaliers can beat the Golden State Warriors to win an NBA title, but Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan wouldn't object to the four-time NBA MVP suiting up at tight end for his team.   

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, per ESPN.com's Mike Rodak, Ryan said he doesn't "know a whole lot about [basketball], but that big ol' rascal [James] can come play tight end for us, if he wants to."

If James ever decided to play football, there would be a learning curve. The 31-year-old has not played any organized football since his junior year in high school, though he was good enough to be an All-State player as a sophomore and get recruited by Urban Meyer, the wide receivers coach at Notre Dame at the time.

Ryan said he believes James would be able to make an easy transition back into the sport: "I think it would work out well. You look at him. He's physical. Unbelievable. Look at the range. There's nobody that can cover him. There's no way you can cover him. Fast, physical. We'll give it a shot."

While known for making provocative statements to apparently get a reaction, Ryan isn't the first NFL coach or player to comment on James' pro football potential.   

In 2010, former Green Bay Packers safety Mark Murphy told ESPN.com's Tim Graham that he rates "my top receivers—coaching, playing or watching—as James Lofton, Jerry Rice, Steve Largent and [James]."

Murphy had an up close and personal look at James' receiving skills, with Graham noting he was the defensive coordinator at James' high school—St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio—when the NBA All-Star was lighting up opposing secondaries. 

There have been former college basketball players who jumped into the NFL as tight ends and had success.

Antonio Gates, who went to Kent State, signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent and is the franchise's leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Julius Thomas didn't play football at Portland State until his senior year in 2010 but has made two Pro Bowls in his NFL career. 

Based on James' current situation and age, it's not likely the NFL is in the cards for him. It is, however, interesting to think of what could have been if he gave football a real shot throughout high school and in college.