CALGARY -- The Calgary Stampeders received some much-welcome news going into Saturday's home game against Winnipeg.
For the first time since suffering a torn knee ligament against the B.C. Lions last July, Stamps receiver Ken-Yon Rambo will suit up against the Blue Bombers at McMahon Stadium.
"I'm just going to go out there and just try to pick up where I left off and keep the party going," said Rambo, who had caught 17 passes for 179 yards in four games last season before suffering the injury after being horse collared by B.C.'s Javier Glatt. "I'm feeling better every day. I've never had a doubt in myself."
With receiver P.K. Sam out with a knee injury, the timing couldn't be better for the Stamps (3-1), who haven't lost at home in their past eight contests going 7-0-1 in that span.
"I think everybody's anxious to see No. 85 on the field," said Calgary coach and general manager John Hufnagel of Rambo's return. "He's worked extremely hard since the injury. He's been champing at the bit for a couple weeks now."
Calgary quarterback Henry Burris can't wait to have one of his favourite targets back on the field against the Bombers (2-2).
"It'll be great to welcome him back," said Burris, who tossed four touchdown passes last Saturday against the Riders. "That should give us an extra bit of zip. He's ready to go and mentally he's on top of things. Once he feels that adrenaline, I feel he'll be alright."
With Rambo in the mix at receiver, former Winnipeg receiver Romby Bryant said it will be even tougher for opposing teams to shut down the Stamps.
"We've got Rambo back, so you never know who's going to have a big game," said Bryant, who struggled in the first half of a 40-20 win over the Roughriders last weekend before catching a pair of touchdown passes in the second half.
"We left a lot out there on the field, so we're trying to pick up where we left off at and just do what we do, but do it better."
While Winnipeg coach Paul LaPolice noted that the Bombers will have to be wary of Calgary's passing game, he added that they'll have to concentrate on finishing their tackles against the likes of Burris and running back Joffrey Reynolds.
"Any time you play against the Calgary Stampeders you have to tackle them because Joffrey Reynolds is going to get his yardage," LaPolice said. "You've got to break him down and the same thing with Henry. You've got to make sure you wrap those guys up because they're athletic."
After missing a full week of practice with the Bombers while dealing with a personal issue, defensive end Odell Willis rejoined his teammates in Calgary and will start against his former squad.
"He's good to go," declared LaPolice, while adding that Willis will have a fair bit of studying to do to prepare for the contest. "I'm sure he'll be fine."
Having previously lined up against the Stampeder offence in practice prior to being traded to the Bombers part way through last season, Willis said he realizes the tough task ahead of the Winnipeg defence to contain Burris and the Calgary offence.
"He's a veteran in this game," said Willis, who has racked up 12 sacks in 20 CFL contests. "He knows the defence. You've just got to be disciplined and take it one play at a time and be patient."
In turn, the Stampeder defenders will have their hands full against the Bombers who jumped out to a 23-0 lead in Edmonton against the Eskimos last Saturday on their way to a 47-20 victory.
"We obviously game plan for different teams, different players, but foremost we worry about ourselves," said Calgary safety Wes Lysack, a former Blue Bomber who will suit up for his 100th game as a member of the Stampeders. "If we fly around and execute our defence like we can, we're pretty good and on the flip side of that, when we don't we struggle. We worry about ourselves and then we take care of the opponent."
The Stamps will undoubtedly try to pressure Winnipeg quarterback Steven Jyles, who will start his second consecutive game with starter Buck Pierce still on the sidelines with a sprained knee.
"We bring pressure," Lysack said. "It's no secret that coach (Chris) Jones is always going to be bringing pressure from multiple people. We're a pretty dynamic defence where we can play full coverage."
After completing 14 of 22 passes for 267 yards and one touchdown against the Eskimos, Jyles said he's ready to take on the Stampeders.
"I'm not really concerned with the pressure," said Jyles, who managed the ball well against Edmonton despite throwing a pair of interceptions. "If they're going to bring it, they're going to bring it. We just have to take care of what we can control and when they try to bring pressure just try to counter."
With both teams looking to build upon wins, Jyles said fans should be in for an extremely competitive game.
"Our guys are fired up and I'm pretty sure they're going to be fired up as well," he said. "We're going to get out here and just battle and see what the end result is."
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