Bacarri Rambo, Rantavious Wooten join young playmakers

[Ronaldo77]

http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2009/09/28/Sports/Bacarri.Rambo.Rantavious.Wooten.Join.Young.Playmakers-3784992.shtml

add two more young playmakers to Georgia's list of available weapons - safety Bacarri Rambo and receiver Rantavious Wooten.

Both impacted Saturday's 20-17 win over Arizona State, Rambo with an interception and Wooten with a crucial third-down catch on Georgia's fourth-quarter, game-winning drive.

Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez told Rambo, a redshirt freshman, to prepare for more playing time last week, an assertion Rambo took to heart.

"I was saying all week it's time for me to step up, man. Time for me to step up," Rambo said. "I've got to get better, mature and grow up. I started watching more film and studying the plays, and I just stayed focused during the whole thing."

In previous games, Rambo predominately played on the kickoff return team. Saturday he saw action at both safety spots, and was in the game at pivotal moments in the fourth quarter.

Rambo attacked the football on two occasions - the first, an interception on an overthrown pass by Arizona State quarterback Danny Sullivan, who was pressured by defensive end Cornelius Washington.

"That was a great pass rush - a great pass rush," said Rambo, who finished with four tackles. "The whole defensive line got in there and forced [sullivan] to make a bad pass. He had to throw it to try to get the ball off."

Rambo got to the ball a second time, breaking up an attempt on a huge third-down pass in the third quarter.

"He did an awesome job," said linebacker Rennie Curran. "I was looking back there and communicating with him. He had a chance to flinch a couple of times, but he responded well and made some big plays when our backs were against the wall."

Wooten, used sparingly in the first three games of the season, made his first career catch in the second quarter. His finest moment came in the fourth, on third-down, as the Bulldogs were attempting a drive to win the game.

Quarterback Joe Cox fired an 11-yard pass to Wooten, who found an opening in the Sun Devils' secondary. The pass was completed and the first down converted, as Georgia marched down the field for the go-ahead field goal.

"Every time I'm in the game I'm thinking the ball may be coming my way, so I got it in my mind that it was coming to me and I focused hard to make the catch," he said.

Wooten also ran the ball once, showing his versatility. He finished with two catches for 38 yards.

Fans chanted "Woot" loudly when the 5-foot-10, 158-pound speedy receiver got his hands on the ball.

"It made me feel good to hear those fans saying my name," Wooten said smiling. "Hopefully it can be a new tradition."

"We've been waiting for Wooten to step up," Cox said. "He has a lot of ability and he's a really great player, he just needs to know what to do, and it was only a matter of time before we started getting him in the game."

Wooten and Rambo are the latest to join the Bulldog youth movement, as cornerbacks Brandon Boykin and Branden Smith, as well as tight end Orson Charles and receiver Tavarres King have stepped up to make an imprint early in 2009.

"We're really fortunate to have some of the athletes we have that are stepping in and making big plays when we need them to," Cox said. "We're glad it's going on here."

[slamee101]

I wonder if Rambo will eventually replace Evans this year?

Wooten looked good...but he might be harder to fit into the line up being behind AJ, Moore, and King.

[SacFalcFan]

I wonder if Rambo will eventually replace Evans this year?

Wooten looked good...but he might be harder to fit into the line up being behind AJ, Moore, and King.

To answer your question yes I do believe he replaces evans. I believe Evans will take more of a role on special teams. Wooten looked very good.. That catch he did i believe in the 1st quarter was a very good catch. He basically is taking over branden smith's role on offense. Expect marlon brown to be thrown to this coming weekend.. They brought him and wooten along a bit slower so they are comfortable and they both are now..

[slamee101]

To answer your question yes I do believe he replaces evans. I believe Evans will take more of a role on special teams. Wooten looked very good.. That catch he did i believe in the 1st quarter was a very good catch. He basically is taking over branden smith's role on offense. Expect marlon brown to be thrown to this coming weekend.. They brought him and wooten along a bit slower so they are comfortable and they both are now..

Kinda sad, b/c with his skill set I thought Evans would be a major player for us...he just hasn't worked out at all!

[SacFalcFan]

Kinda sad, b/c with his skill set I thought Evans would be a major player for us...he just hasn't worked out at all!

it's between the ears IMO. he has all the physical skills. he has nfl type skills, but he just doesn't do a good job seeing the field and antipating the plays.