Ricky Ray

[edit] Biography

Acquired

Signed as a free agent May 16, 2005.

2007

Ray started the first 13 games of the season before suffering a separated shoulder on Sept. 28 vs. Toronto. He had 311 completions in 445 attempts (69.9 percent) for 3,652 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also rushed 41 times for 232 yards. Ray threw a club record-tying five touchdown passes in two separate games. On Sept. 14 vs. Montreal, Ray passed Warren Moon to become the all-time leader in passing yards in Eskimo history.

2006

Finished first in the league in passing yards with 5000. He had 406 completions in 618 attempts (65.7%), threw for 21 touchdowns and had 18 interceptions. Ray also had his best season rushing, running 92 times for 469 yards and nine touchdowns. In the first game of the season, Ray threw 33 completions which was the most pass completions in a CFL game in 2006. On September 30, he passed Tom Wilkinson to become first in career pass completions in Eskimo history. He was named the CFL Offensive Player of the Week twice and was the Eskimo nominee for the CFL Outstanding Player Award. He was also selected to the West Division All-Star and CFL All-Star teams for the first time in his career.

2005

(Edmonton) Ray didn’t miss a beat after spending the 2004 season away from the CFL. He completed 479 passes on 715 attempts for 5510 yards and 25 touchdowns. Ricky threw a career-best five touchdown passes at home vs. Hamilton in Week 6. He also had a 2005 league high of 40 completions during the August 20 game vs. Toronto. In Week 16, Ricky became the 3rd Eskimo player to pass for 5,000 yards in a season (joining Warren Moon and Jason Maas). He led the Eskimos to a Grey Cup victory, setting a Grey Cup completions record by completing 35 of 45 passes with no interceptions, throwing for two touchdowns and running one in himself. He was named the Grey Cup MVP. He was the Eskimo nominee for Most Outstanding Player.

2004

(New York) Ricky signed with the New York Jets, dressing for five regular season games plus the AFC Wildcard Playoff and AFC Divisional Playoff, but did not see game action.

2003

(Edmonton) Showing that 2002 was no fluke the super sophomore continued his torrid pace in 2003 completing 348 passes on 515 attempts (67.6 %) for 4640 yards, 35 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions. Best performances: July 16 versus Hamilton – 17 completions on 25 attempts for 224 yards and 4 TD’s. July 31 at Ottawa – 19 completions on 30 attempts for 252 yards and 3 TD’s. August 23 versus Sask. – 24 completions on 33 attempts for 311 yards and 4 TD’s. September 13 at BC – 28 completions on 36 attempts for 339 yards and 4 TD’s. CFL West Division Final: 23 completions on 32 attempts for 356 yards and 1 TD. Grey Cup: 22 completions on 32 attempts for 301 yards and 2 TD’s. Ray completed 348 passes on 515 attempts (67.6 %) for 4640 yards, 35 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions and led the Eskimos to Grey Cup victory.

2002

(Edmonton) The CFL’s youngest starting quarterback was one pro football’s best stories of the year. Slotted as the Esks 3rd quarterback at the start of training camp, Ricky made his first appearance Week 4 (@ Saskatchewan when starter Jason Maas was knocked from the game late in the fourth quarter). He was named the Eskimos starter on Week #5 (July 26 vs. BC) and went 21-28 for 277 yards and 4 TDs against the Lions. In 18 regular season games, Ricky completed 227 passes on 359 attempts for 2,991 yards, 24 TDs and 9 INTs and the CFL’s highest efficiency rating of 101.3. Named CFL Offensive Player of the Week for Week #7 and CFL Offensive Player of the Month for August. Ricky showed poise when forced to run with 44 carries for 232 yards and 1 TD (1 yard run - September 21/02 vs. Saskatchewan).

Best performance(s): 25-38 for 366 yards and 3 TDs (Sept 6/02 vs. Calgary); 26-40 for 297 yards and 2 TDs (Sept 13/02 @ BC); 21-28 for 277 yards and 4 TDs in his first CFL start (June 26/02 vs. BC). CFL West Final: Passing: 19 – 34 for 269 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. Rushing: 5 carries for 24 yards. Grey Cup: Passing: 24-46 for 324 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. Rushing: 7 carries for 25 yards.

Ricky signed as a free agent with San Francisco 49ers, attended training camp and dressed for one pre-season game. He then played seven games for the Fresno Frenzy of Arena Football 2, where he was coached by former CFL quarterback Rick Worman, completing 116 passes for 1,296 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. Slotted as the Esks’ 3rd quarterback at the start of 2002 training camp, Ricky made his first appearance in Week 4 at Saskatchewan when starter Jason Maas was knocked from the game late in the fourth quarter. He was named the Eskimo starter on Week 5 and went 21-28 for 277 yards with four touchdowns against the Lions. Ricky finished the regular season completing 227 passes on 359 attempts for 2,991 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Ricky also showed poise when forced to run with 44 carries for 232 yards and one TD.

College/Personal

In two seasons at California State University, Sacramento, Ray posted impressive numbers. In 2000, he completed 168 of 270 passes for 2,200 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. Ray enjoyed his best season in 1999 when he completed 179 of 291 passes for 2,422 yards and 20 touchdowns. Ray is listed in five Sacramento State career passing record categories: 1st in completion percentage (.619), 3rd in completions (347), 3rd in touchdowns (33), 3rd in yards and 4th in attempts (561). Ray played two seasons (1997-1998) at Shasta Community College in Redding, CA. He was a first team All-American and California State Offensive Player of the Year in 1998. Ray shattered numerous Shasta College records including career completion percentage, consecutive passes without an interception (199 over parts of 1997 and ‘98), consecutive games with at least one TD pass (15) and career pass completions. Ray attended Shasta High School where he played both football and basketball. Ray and his wife Allyson live in St. Albert.

[edit] Statistics

<stats> Player=Ray, Ricky Sport=CFL Sport=NFL </stats>

[edit] References

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