WR Ken-Yon Rambo (Grey Cup Champion - CFL)

[Buckskin86]

Rambo off the bench
By WES GILBERTSON ,Calgary Sun
First posted: Wednesday, August 10, 2011

CALGARY - Ken-Yon Rambo left a defensive back in his dust, accelerated under a deep pass and darted into the endzone, then turned to a group of reporters standing nearby and offered up a sound-byte.

With artificial crowd noise screaming from the loudspeaker during Wednesday?s practice at McMahon Stadium, nobody was certain what the Calgary Stampeders slotback had said.

The message, however, was clear.

?I said, ?That should answer all y?all questions,? ? Rambo said after practice.

Stamps head coach John Hufnagel officially answered the questions a few minutes earlier, confirming the 32-year-old receiver would return to Calgary?s lineup for Friday?s showdown with the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium.

With the Stamps heading into their bye-week, there was speculation they wouldn?t rush Rambo, who has been slowed this summer by Achilles tendinitis.

Linebacker Juwan Simpson (knee) and fullback Rob Cote (knee) are among the regulars not making the trip to Regina, but Rambo doesn?t need anymore time to heal.

?We like to go into our bye weeks with Ws, so this is a real big game,? Rambo said. ?And I want to play, just straight up like that. I want to help out my team. I want to go out there and perform.?

When healthy, few pass-catchers in the three-down football ranks have performed at the same level as Rambo.

He won the CFL?s receiving crown in 2008, racking up 1,473 yards and eight touchdowns, and had a league-high half-dozen 100-yard outings last year despite missing the first four games on the CFL?s regular-season schedule.

Cont...

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/08/10/rambo-off-the-bench

 

[Buckskin86]

Stamps enjoy viewing this Rambo sequel
By Allen Cameron, Calgary Herald September 15, 2011

Calgary Stampeders' Ken-Yon Rambo makes a catch and then breaks away from Edmonton Eskimos Chris Thompson on September, 9 2011 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
Photograph by: Greg Southam, Edmonton Journal

There was never a doubt in Henry Burris?s mind that slotback Ken-Yon Rambo would return to his familiar big-play form.

The last bit of evidence was provided last Friday in Edmonton in the fourth quarter, with the Calgary Stampeders looking to build on their lead.

Facing a second-and-10 situation, Rambo strode to the line of scrimmage, seeing that he was facing double coverage from defensive back Weldon Brown and linebacker J.C. Sherritt.

Rambo made a darting move to the outside, then cut back inside across the field, leaving both defenders well behind, hauled in the strike from Burris, and finished up with a season-long 51-yard gain that led, moments later, to a Stampeder touchdown.

?He sold the route,? marvelled Burris, nearly a week later. ?He made both guys bite, and then when he flashed back across the halfback?s face, I just put it right on his chest. He made things happen after that and put us in great field position.?

Which is what Rambo has made a habit of doing since joining the Stampeders, but it?s been a struggle this year as calf and Achilles injuries limited both his effectiveness and his participation, as he was scratched from two games.

But heading into Saturday?s game against the B.C. Lions at McMahon Stadium, Rambo, 32, has left the injury issues behind him. He?s cracked the 100-yard mark in receiving in two of his past three games (he had a team-high seven catches for 121 yards on Saturday), and he?s feeling optimistic about the stretch run to the post-season.

?Oh, I?m feeling good,? said Rambo with that ever-present smile. ?I started off slow; my Achilles and calf were killing me the first half of the season, but I was in there trying to do what I do to the best of my ability. I had to take a couple games off, and I hate taking games off. I want to help the team, but I had to do what?s best for my body to get healthy. And now, I?m about 90 per cent and feeling better.

?And there?s great upside; we?re still moving along, brother. It?s getting a lot better; I?m moving how I want to move now.?


cont...

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports...Rambo+sequel/5410505/story.html#ixzz1Y7TXWboB

 

[Buckskin86]

Lingering leg issue for birthday boy Rambo
By WES GILBERTSON ,Calgary Sun
First posted: Tuesday, October 04, 2011

CALGARY - Never argue with the birthday boy.

Calgary Stampeders receiver Ken-Yon Rambo, who should?ve had 33 candles on Tuesday?s cake, jokingly insisted he was turning 23.

?I?m going backwards, man. I?m going in reverse,? Rambo said with a grin.

?I?m like Benjamin Button.?http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

In The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Brad Pitt?s character is born with the physical attributes of an elderly man and ages in reverse.

In Rambo?s case, back-tracking isn?t necessarily a positive.

The Stamps? star slotback missed Tuesday?s rainy practice session at McMahon Stadium, then admitted afterward he?s still battling the same lingering leg issue that?s been bothering him all season.

Rambo re-aggravated the injury while warming up for Saturday?s 40-3 shellacking of the arch-rival Saskatchewan Roughriders, although he toughed it out for the West Division showdown.

?It?s the same little thing,? Rambo sighed.

?It was bothering me the whole game last game. It?s a tricky thing. I?ve got my good days, I?ve got my bad days. This season has been up and down for me. It?s been like a rollercoaster, and I don?t like rollercoasters during the season.

?It?s been a rollercoaster every week. It?s been a weekly thing, it seems like.?

cont...

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/10/04/lingering-leg-issue-for-birthday-boy-rambo

 

[Buckskin86]

Rambo is cautious about return
By Rita Mingo, For The Calgary Herald October 19, 2011

As much as Ken-Yon Rambo would love to be on the field on Friday night against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, he values his health even more, and thus has learned the art of patience.

?€œI've had knee problems before so I know how to treat my knee injuries,'' pointed out the Calgary Stampeders' receiver, who partook in a full practice for the first time since injuring his Achilles tendon two weeks ago. ?€œYou don't want to come back too soon ?€˜cause you don't want to re-injure it because it could be worse than it is. We've been doing strengthening work.

?€œIt's getting close. Feeling real good. Progress is going very well. I can't ask for more than for it to get right.''

Thankfully not the knee, yet this lower-leg injury has taken its toll on the speedy receiver. It's like a relay race,'' joked Rambo, ?€œpassing it down.'' Though he knows it's really no laughing matter.

All I can ask is for this left leg to get better. Tomorrow will have a lot do with my answer whether I'll play this Friday or not. I'm looking forward to tomorrow so I can give it another test and we'll go from there.''

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Rambo+cautious+about+return/5571620/story.html#ixzz1bEPpPjbz

 

[Buckskin86]

Stampeders? Rambo finally feels ready to rumble
By John Down, Calgary Herald
November 3, 2011

One only had to look at the sparkle in Ken-Yon Rambo?s eyes and hear the enthusiasm in his voice following Wednesday?s practice to know he was ready to dangle.

?Felt real good,? said the Calgary Stampeders receiver, who has missed the past month with a nagging Achilles injury. ?Yes, indeed, I?m ready to go. It felt amazingly well today and with the cold weather, which is a great thing.?

Rambo, who took a large number of reps during the practice, even impressed head coach John Hufnagel.

?I liked what I saw today,? said Hufnagel.

?We?ll make a better decision on it (today) . . . see how it responds, but I feel he?ll be ready to go. I?m optimistic.?

Rambo, who has 48 catches, was almost ready to rejoin the team last week, but didn?t like the way things felt after working out.

?Last week it felt pretty good, but taking the extra week off benefited me,? he said.

?It feels real good and I?m ready to get out on the field with the guys. I wish I could have been out there a long time ago, but this is the first practice where I was going hard, really cutting on it and it felt good.?

cont...

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports...ready+rumble/5648387/story.html#ixzz1ce3S00pb

 

[Buckskin86]

Rambo healthy and motivated
By IAN BUSBY, QMI Agency

As one of the top CFL speedsters over the past seven years, Ken-Yon Rambo is used to outrunning things.

Next up is putting the 2011 season way back in the rearview mirror.

As 2012 training camp approaches for the Calgary Stampeders, their star slotback is ready to make amends for an injury-filled season in which he was held to just 11 regular-season games and only 695 yards.

"It's gone," Rambo said about 2011 from his off-season home in Dallas. "Last year was a rollercoaster. It was a frustrating year for me."

Even when Rambo was in the lineup, there was no question he wasn't 100%. He tweaked his left knee early in the year, and eventually it led to Achilles tendon issues.

He gutted it out most nights, but he wasn't the player he was a year earlier when he put up remarkable numbers (1,172 yards, eight TDs) coming off a rehabbed torn ACL in his right knee.

This off-season, he retreated back to Texas but elected not to have any surgeries. Instead, with a heavy rehab and training schedule, he's emerged as strong as ever.

The 33-year-old is excited to get on the field June 4 when main camp gets underway.

"The legs feel real good," Rambo said. "I'm strong and ready to go. Everything is healthy.

"The key to football is staying healthy as best as you can. I feel awesome right now. This is as good as I've been in a while.

"I'm ready to go, be out there making plays and keeping myself healthy. I want to keep a nice remedy going throughout this season."

cont..

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Calgary/2012/05/22/19787676.html

 

[Buckskin86]

Rambo not done just yet
Veteran receiver out to ?prove everyone wrong?
By Allen Cameron, Calgary Herald June 3, 2012

Calgary Stampeders receiver Ken-Yon Rambo, left, and Marquay McDaniel have a discussion on the sidelines during the first day of training camp.
Photograph by: Lorraine Hjalte , Calgary Herald

There are a lot of things Ken-Yon Rambo loves about being a professional football player.

Catching footballs. Scoring touchdowns. Shooting the breeze with teammates and opponents alike.

And near the top of list these days? Silencing doubters.

Rest assured, Rambo is well aware of the fact there are a few of them out there. Even he admits he?d be asking some questions about a 33-year-old receiver who hasn?t been healthy for a full season since 2008.

It goes with the territory.

But the Long Beach, Calif., product, who?s heading into his eighth season with the Stampeders, insists that the skeptics will be silenced in due course. He?s still fast. He still has the hands. And the motivation has rarely been more robust.

?I love that,? said a smiling Rambo of the folks wondering whether he still has gas in the tank. ?I?ve always had doubters all through my life; I guess that?s part of living. You?re always going to have some haters. But all it does is steam me up and get me going, and I want to prove everybody wrong.?

cont...

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Rambo+done+just/6723871/story.html#ixzz1wp0BivzH

 

[Buckskin86]

Slotback Ken-Yon Rambo continues to deal with nagging injuries for the second straight season

Ken-Yon Rambo continues to be very limited in his practice participation, and that should be cause for concern ? both to Rambo and to the Stampeders. Rambo didn?t play last Friday in against Edmonton, and would have to be considered doubtful for Friday?s game against Saskatchewan. With his injury issues ? which also plagued him last season ? and the solid camp performances of Landan Talley and Marquay McDaniel (both of whom can also return kicks), the Stamps might have to make an uncomfortable decision with Rambo, who?s been nothing but a consummate pro for them. At the end of the day, a healthy Rambo can do very good things for this football team. But he has to be healthy, and that hasn?t happened enough for either his liking or the Stamps?.

http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2012...-early-rambo-continues-to-be-a-question-mark/

 

[Buckskin86]

Rambo surprised by release from Stampeders
By Allen Cameron, Postmedia News June 22, 2012

REGINA ? On the field was where Ken-Yon Rambo was happiest as a Calgary Stampeder.

So, to be told on Thursday by Stampeders coach and general manager John Hufnagel that his services were no longer required after seven seasons in Red and White was a punch to the gut the 33-year-old Ohio State product never saw coming.

?No, not really,? admitted Rambo on Friday morning, as his former teammates were packing their bags for their charter flight to Regina. ?It was a surprise to me. I understand it?s a business and all that. We just came to a conclusion. It is what it is. I can?t say too much about it.?

cont...

http://www.canada.com/sports/footba...rterback+offers+wise+words/6827267/story.html

 

[Buckskin86]

Rambo's run officially over with Stampeders
By Ian Busby
Calgary Sun
First posted: Saturday, June 23, 2012

Ken-Yon Rambo vows to be back in the CFL.

He won?t soon be forgotten in Calgary.

The dynamic receiver had plenty of highs and lows during a seven-year stint with the Calgary Stampeders ? and he certainly leaves on a high note.

The Stamps officially parted ways with the Ohio State product Saturday after Achilles tendinitis kept him from performing during training camp.

Instead of waiting out the injury, which the Stamps did most of last year with his left Achilles, the team cut ties with the veteran.

?We?re fortunate to have depth at the receiver position, but this was still a tough call to make,? Stamps GM-head coach John Hufnagel.

?I want to thank Ken-Yon for everything he has done for the Calgary Stampeders and wish him all the best in the future,? Hufnagel continued.

?He will be considered one of the great players in franchise history.?

Rambo finishes his tenure with the Stamps eighth on the all-time franchise receiving yards list with 5,995.

?I want to think all my fans and there support ? You will c me on the field soon,? Rambo said on his Twitter account.

Rambo?s on-field production ? his 1,473 yards in 2008 ranks 10th all-time for a single season in team history

cont...

http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/06/24/rambos-run-officially-over-with-stampeders

 

[Buckskin86]

Rambo set to join Argos
But first needs to catch a break
By WES GILBERTSON, QMI Agency
Last Updated: July 7, 2012

After being cut by the Stampeders, wide receiver Ken-Yon Rambo is set to join the Argos once his Achilles tendinitis is healed. (AMBER BRACKEN/QMI Agency file photo)

TORONTO - Instead of feeling blue, Ken-Yon Rambo is wearing blue.

Officially, the sure-handed receiver remains unemployed, but it?s no secret the Calgary Stampeders? most controversial training camp cut is a soon-to-be Toronto Argonauts pass-catcher.

Sporting a Toronto Blue Jays hat, Argos workout gear and football cleats, Rambo was a spectator for Friday?s walkthrough at the University of Toronto.

As soon as his Achilles tendinitis is healed, he?ll sign with the squad.

?They helped me move on,? Rambo said. ?You know how everything went down. It was a surprise to me, just like it was a surprise to you guys. But that?s part of life. You?ve gotta keep pushing and moving, and that?s what I?m doing.?

He?s not moving as fast as he?d like.

Rambo, who ran routes at McMahon Stadium for seven summers but reached an injury settlement with the Stamps and was released two weeks ago after missing both pre-season outings, is still awaiting the green light from doctors.

While his new teammates ? make that, eventual teammates ? prepared for Saturday?s date with the Stamps at Rogers Centre (1 p.m. MDT, TSN, QR77) during Friday?s walkthrough, Rambo studied the action on the field from the sidelines.

He?s been hanging around the Argos ever since his release by the Stamps, mostly receiving treatment on his sore wheel. Despite mixed reports, he insists he?s not attending meetings or participating in any other extra-curricular activities with the team, although you can bet he was asked a few questions about the Stamps offence this week.

?It?s frustrating because I want to get out there and learn some plays and go into meetings and know what is going on, and the rule is you can?t do that unless you?re under contract, so I can?t do it,? Rambo said. ?It?s frustrating. Physically, I?m feeling a lot better. But mentally, it?s just frustrating to be on the sidelines, period.?

cont...

http://www.lfpress.com/sports/football/2012/07/07/19961256.html

 

[Buckskin86]

Toronto Argonauts sign veteran wide receiver Ken-Yon Rambo
The Canadian Press
Published Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Jonathan Hefney (23) stops Calgary Stampeders' Ken-Yon Rambo (85) during the first half of their CFL game in Winnipeg Friday, November 5, 2010. (John Woods/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

TORONTO -- Ken-Yon Rambo is getting another chance in the CFL.

The Toronto Argonauts signed the veteran wide receiver on Tuesday and expect to have him at practice on Thursday.

Rambo, 33, was released by the Calgary Stampeders at the end of training camp after being hammered by an Achilles tendon injury.

Rambo, who won a Grey Cup with Calgary in 2008, is eighth on the Stamps' all-time list for receptions (406) and receiving yards (5,995).

The six-foot-one, 207-pound Ohio State product is also 10th on Calgary's all-time touchdown receptions list with 39.

"We've closely monitored Ken-Yon's progress and we've been impressed by his commitment to healing his injury," Argos general manager Jim Barker said in a release. "We're now very interested to see him perform on the football field."

Rambo was a seventh round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2001 before going on to play two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, where he dressed in 29 regular season games.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/toront...receiver-ken-yon-rambo-1.924231#ixzz24HPruq4a

 

[Buckskin86]

Ken-Yon Rambo insists he is almost ready for Argos debut

Matthew Scianitti | Aug 24, 2012

Gavin Young/Postmedia News Ken-Yon Rambo says he is almost completely healed from his Achilles injury and is eager to play for the Argos.

MISSISSAUGA ? Ken-Yon Rambo wandered around the Toronto Argonauts? practice facility, whispering to several teammates and pointing in one direction. They pointed in another.

It was the first practice for Rambo, a 33-year-old former Grey Cup winner, since Toronto signed him to its practice roster Tuesday, and his first in over two months.

Rambo, who had 406 catches for 5,995 yards and 39 touchdowns in seven seasons with Calgary, was released by the Stampeders in June as he recovered from tendinitis in his Achilles. He arrived in Toronto the next day and spent nine weeks watching practices from the sideline, attending player meetings, and getting treatment from the medical staff, but without pay.

He ran three routes for quarterback Ricky Ray and the first-team offence Thursday. He did not catch a pass, but Rambo smiled big afterward and said his Achilles felt fine. He waited, unpaid, because he knows he can be a weapon for Toronto.

?I?ve been in the playbook since I?ve been here ? The guys on the team are helping me out a lot, and putting me in the right alignment. I know the routes and everything, it is all about the alignment,? Rambo said.

Head coach Scott Milanovich admitted he paid little attention to the new arrival because he will not play this Monday when Edmonton arrives at the Rogers Centre.

?The only difference between Ken-Yon and any other guy is he has the statistics. I mean every guy [wants to start],? the coach said.

?But Ken-Yon is going to have to learn what to do. You?re not just lining up in one spot in this offence and running your route. If he is back to where he was at one point, he is a good football player. But we?re not going to push him.?

cont...

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/08/24/ken-yon-rambo-insists-he-is-almost-ready-for-argos-debut/

 

[Buckskin86]

Veteran receiver Ken-Yon Rambo to make first start with Argonauts
Dan Ralph
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. ? The Canadian Press
Published Friday, Sep. 07 2012

Another first for Ken-Yon Rambo.

On Monday, the veteran receiver made his debut with the Toronto Argonauts. On Saturday, Rambo will make his first start with the CFL club, lining up at slotback when the Argos (5-4) host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-6) in a Labour Day rematch.

?I?m feeling really good about the offence and learning the schemes,? Rambo said following Friday?s walkthrough. ?My body felt great last week, it feels good now and I?m heading in the right direction.?

Rambo?s return as a CFL starter is significant considering in June he was released by the Calgary Stampeders while recovering from tendinitis in his Achilles tendon. It was a bitter pill for a player who was very productive in Alberta, registering 406 catches for 5,995 yards and 39 touchdowns over seven seasons, including a Grey Cup-winning campaign in 2008.

Rambo arrived in Toronto shortly after being released and spent more than two months watching the Argos practise and attending team meetings while receiving treatment, all without pay. Rambo?s sacrifice and patience were rewarded Monday when he made his first appearance of the season as a backup, registering two catches for 16 yards in the club?s 33-30 win over Hamilton at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

Rambo said he never once doubted that he?d resume his CFL career.

?Never a doubt,? he said emphatically. ?Everyone had their doubts because they weren?t in my body, they don?t know who I am.

?I know what my body can do, I know what I can do mentally.?

cont..

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...ke-first-start-with-argonauts/article4528351/

 

[Buckskin86]

Veteran receiver Ken-Yon Rambo making gradual progress with Argonauts
By: Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press

TORONTO, ONTARIO, - Earlier this summer, Ken-Yon Rambo's football future didn't look good.

He was unemployed after being released by the Calgary Stampeders and there were questions about whether he'd be able to overcome Achilles tendinitis and resume his career. Not exactly ideal circumstances for a receiver also on the wrong side of 30.

Three months later, however, the 33-year-old former Ohio State Buckeye is back playing football as a starter with the Toronto Argonauts.

"I'm feeling real good,'' Rambo said. "This is a journey . . . it's all about how you deal with it mentally, how strong you are mentally.

"I know what I'm capable of and what my body can do. You just have to stick with it and stay positive.''

After seven productive seasons in Calgary, Rambo's positive approach was put to the test when he was released in June. Rambo helped the Stampeders win the 2008 Grey Cup and was eighth on the club's all-time list for receptions (406) and receiving yards (5,995) and 10th in TD catches (39).

He was a CFL all-star in 2008 when he led the league in receiving with 100 catches for 1,473 yards and eight TDs. A knee injury limited Rambo to just three games in 2009 but he returned strong in 2010 with 72 catches for 1,172 yards and eight TDs.

He had 51 receptions for 695 yards and five TDs in 12 games last year while battling the Achilles ailment. It flared up again this summer during training camp, ultimately resulting in his release.

But the six-foot-one, 207-pound Rambo never considered retirement, remaining steadfast in his belief he could still play. Trouble was, he needed to convince another team to give him a chance.

Rambo arrived in Toronto shortly after leaving Calgary but spent more than two months watching practice while receiving treatment without pay. He eventually began practising with his new team and made his Argos debut as a backup, registering two catches for 16 yards in a 33-30 Labour Day win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Rambo made his first start with Toronto on Saturday, contributing three receptions for 66 yards in the 45-31 rematch victory over Hamilton at Rogers Centre.

Rambo boldly predicted before that game he'd combine with Argos starter Ricky Ray on a long completion. He proved prophetic, registering a 49-yard catch before being caught at the Hamilton one-yard line to set up Jarious Jackson's short TD run.

"I was trying to get into the end zone as fast as possible," Rambo said. "I had to drag two guys but we got in there.

"But I will get in there soon. This ain't my first rodeo. I've been in the end zone before, I love it and will get there soon.''

cont...

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sp...radual-progress-with-argonauts-169227856.html