Bacarri Rambo Impresses Coaches at Rookie Camp

Bacarri Rambo was drafted in the sixth round by the Washington Redskins after a solid career at Georgia that would have made most think he would be selected sooner.

A couple suspensions during his career with the Georgia, at least one for a failed drug test, likely caused the safety’s stock to slip.

“All that’s behind me,” Rambo said Sunday when the Redskins concluded their three-day rookie minicamp. “I’ve moved on from that. It helped me grow (into) the person I am today. I’m just a regular, cool guy. I feel like I built my trust up . I know I still got things I need to improve on . just to show them, ‘Hey he’s not that guy. He grew from that.'”

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Rambo aced a test to measure prospects’ dedication and work ethic. That and background checks and talks with the coaches at Georgia, including former Redskins linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti, convinced them that Rambo was worth a sixth round pick.

That’s the same round Shanahan drafted 1998 MVP Terrell Davis for Denver out of Georgia in 1995 and record-setting running back Alfred Morris for the Redskins last year.

“I know Coach Olivadotti had something to do with it, told ’em what kind of player I was and about my true character,” Rambo said.

Shanahan was impressed with the skill set of Rambo and fellow rookie safety Phillip Thomas, Washington’s 4th round selection. There is a starting spot available in the secondary.

Tanard Jackson, who was supposed to start at free safety last year remains on an indefinite NFL substance abuse suspension until at least August 31st. Madieu Williams, who started last year, wasn’t re-signed after not having a very good year in 2012.

“Their ball skills were very evident over the last few days,” Shanahan said of Rambo and Thomas. “We do a lot of different things with our secondary. We put a lot of pressure on them mentally as well as physically. You’ve got be able to play both (strong and free safety). They’ve got the size and the athletic ability to play both positions.”

Rambo pleased the coaches with an interception on Sunday.

“I kind of knew the system because we run the same system at Georgia with Coach Olivadotti,” Rambo said. “I really learned a lot from him and it carried over. I just follow the scheme and do what the coaches ask me to do. Once you do that, it allows you to make plays, it allows you to play full-speed. It’s just natural once the ball’s there to go get it and make a play.”