Buffalo Bills: Who is Bacarri Rambo?

Buffalo Bills: Who is Bacarri Rambo?

Sunday’s 21-13 victory over the Green Bay Packers was arguably the biggest win by the Buffalo Bills in the last decade. People may bring up the 34-31 triumph over the New England Patriots during 2011, but coming in week three, the Bills weren’t fighting for their playoff lives at that point.

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The impressiveness of the victory was only equaled by how unlikely it was. Virtually no one expected the Bills to beat the Packers.

No one would have expected the Bills to win if you knew they would be held to 253 yards and no offensive touchdowns. Likewise. as good as Buffalo’s defence is, no one expected them to hold the Packers to 13 points, even at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

And certainly, no one expected Aaron Rodgers to have his worst day as a pro. His stat line of 17-42-185-0-2 is barely believable.

Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to pass during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo beat Green Bay 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

In fact, it’s the final statistic of two interceptions that stands out most. Both times, Rodgers was picked off by Bacarri Rambo.

If you’re asking “who?” you can be forgiven, because a lot of fans likely wondered the same question. Not only is Rambo a third-string safety, but the two interceptions were the first of his professional career.

Rambo was only picked up four weeks ago after cornerback Leodis McKelvin was placed on insured reserve. He had been waived two months earlier by the Washington Redskins.

The Redskins had previously selected the 24-year old in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft. As such it would appear, on the surface at least, that Rambo is nothing special.

However, this is not quite the case for the Donalsonville, Georgia native. Rambo was named All-American as a junior at the University of Georgia and was originally projected to go as high as the second round in the draft.

Unfortunately, Rambo failed two drug tests in 2011 and 2012, hence why he dropped all the way to the 191st overall pick. His fortunes soon changed, when he was named starting safety at the beginning of his rookie season.

Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) runs after a catch as Buffalo Bills safety Bacarri Rambo (30) defends during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills beat the Packers 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

However, things didn’t go as planned, with Rambo losing his starting position just two games into the 2013 campaign. To make matters worse, he was also benched for several weeks by the Redskins.

As with most athletes in a similar position, all he could do was battle back, work hard, and wait for another opportunity to come along. If his performance against the Packers is anything to go by, it appears that chance may now be at hand for Rambo.

Speaking to the Buffalo News after the game, Rambo certainly seems ready for what is in front of him: “I’ve been preparing like I was starting because you never know when your chance is going to come.”

Snagging two interceptions against one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks should help: ““That’s going to allow me to play even faster and build confidence in myself that, ‘Hey, I can do this. I belong in this league.’…I’m just thankful for my second opportunity, man. You never know what will happen.”