Isaac Bruce comes over to the other side of the tracks

by Fooch on Mar 4, 2008 11:18 PM PST in News Comment 15 comments

(Courtesy IsaacBruce.com)

Right off the bat, we all know what Isaac Bruce has done as a Ram and what he brings to the table. Nonetheless, with his signing to a two year contract, I wanted to get the opinion of a Rams fan. So I spoke with VanRam over at Turf Show Times, to get his thoughts on the departure of Isaac Bruce:

I'm going to miss Isaac Bruce. We all are. He's a class act on the field and off. Mike Martz fondly remembers the Bruce from the Turf Show days, and I doubt there's anyone in the league who knows more about what Bruce is capable of, running routes and making catches.

Age concerns aside (momentarily), Bruce had 733 yards and 55 catches last season. That's actually an impressive number for a number two WR on team whose quarterbacks spent most of the time on their backs with opposing DEs high-fiving overhead. He even scored 4 TDs, the most he's had in 3 years, for a team that was among the league's worst offensively. Last season he topped the 1,000 yard mark with 74 catches. Part of that success though, came as opposing teams doubled up on Torry Holt, or just didn't worry about the Rams offense beating them all that much.

I don't see the logic in making Bruce a #1 receiver. He's played one complete season over the last three, and it stands to reason that he'll take more abuse as the #1 guy, even in a Martzian (does that make Niners fans Martzists?) system that figures to spread out the passing a bit more than the typical NFL team. He best as a complementary option at this point. The two year deal was a smart move by SF.

Warning: cliche coming. The intangibles that Bruce brings to a relatively young offense might be the best of this deal. He's a quiet guy, not the sort prone to loud face offs with locker room miscreants. However, young receivers (who are you drafting anyway?) and quarterbacks will learn much about the game from Bruce, including longevity.

So the question becomes what kind of role do the 49ers expect Isaac Bruce to fill and what kind of role does he actually fill? Considering the receiving corp, if anybody is going to become the #1 receiver in 2008 it's Vernon Davis. He is by far the most physically gifted receiver/tight end on the team. If Bruce can settle into that co-#2 role with Darrell Jackson, I think things turn out ok. If the 49ers are relying on Bruce to be the #1 guy putting up 75-80 receptions and 1,200 yards, I think they're kidding themselves.

Even if The Disease breaks out next year I see Isaac Bruce being the more talented Arnaz Battle in that he is a consistent threat that will make catches but not break too many big plays. If the 49ers and fans expect that, everything else is just gravy. I completely agree that Bruce's biggest contribution could come via the intangibles. Bruce could be the type of teacher that will help all of our receivers learn what it takes to be a legit receiver in this league.

Either way, with a two year deal I'm perfectly content seeing Isaac Bruce in a 49ers uniform in 2008.

0 recs | Comment 15 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Hey

I think we could be the Seattle Seahawks x2. Bruce is like Branch, an aging vetern who runs good routes and has good hands. Darell Jackson is like D.J. Hackett in getting open often, but not always catching the ball, but has the capablility of catching 10 in a game easily. Arnez Battle is like Bobby Engram as a solid slot receiver who has good hands and is more of a poccession receiver than anyone else. And finally, Ashly Lelie is like Nate Burlison, the homerun hitter. And hy are we that x2.BECAUSE we have Vernon Davis. There's no point in waisting a first or second rounder on a WR when we have a decent coor. The problem with last year was Hostler could not understand who to give the ball to. He never threw to VD, and barely ran Gore. In fact, when gore got 17+ carries, the niners were 5-1 and the game we lost was because our 4 STRING QB was taking snaps. So what should we address now. Well we should sign that center from Baltimore who just got cut. Then get OL in the first round. Trade up to get another early second rounder and get Pat Sims and Quienten Groves. You can tell I like Auburn.

by montasmob69 on Mar 5, 2008 7:31 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Offensive line

The OL really only needs one more starter. It's not like the entire line needs a makeover, so why give up draft picks to pile on? The biggest need for the offensive line is either a RT, or a LG (so that Snyder could slide over to RT). Basically, the only guy the 49ers are looking to replace along the line would probably be Jennings.

As I posed on the other thread: how do you suppose the team get that extra second rounder? Trade away next year's #1? Trade away next year's #2 and #3? No thanks.

by sfgfan on Mar 5, 2008 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re. Isaac Bruce comes over...

Here is how I see it breaking down. Martz will use his primary weapons(Davis, Gore, errr...Jackson and Battle) to matriculate the ball downfield. And on third down, when we need a clutch reception, Bruce will be the guy to get it done. I imagine that's the role the Niners expect him to fill.

However, I see Bruce being much more than our third down go to guy(I hate saying possession receiver for some reason). If Bruce can stay healthy, I don't see any reason why he can't be our #1.

Bring back the YAC!

by jfainsf49 on Mar 5, 2008 8:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Bruce

I actually think he will fill the role the 49ers were hoping DJack would fill last season. What is that role exactly? I think the 49ers were hoping Jackson would manage to become the QB's go to guy in a pinch. I doubt the 49ers were looking for Jackson to be a deep threat, and I again doubt the 49ers are looking at Bruce to be that too.

A WR can be a #1 without gaining a 1000 yards. I guess it all depends on what you consider to be your #1, and I guess my definition is that a #1 is the guy the QB looks to first in a time of need. Bruce could be just that.

by sfgfan on Mar 5, 2008 9:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

welcome to RED and Gold

Well, Im glad that we got some Veteran presence. Hope the rest of the guys take good notes. Now that Bruce is in town, he wore 80 back in the Lamb days.
What jersey number do you think Bruce will end up with? I know in respects that he's not taking the great one's number(Jerry Rice).
what do you think guys?

by golden eye on Mar 5, 2008 10:19 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

#80

As far as jersey #, I think it is a none issue.

Bring back the YAC!

by jfainsf49 on Mar 5, 2008 10:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

double farts

f**k, I meant non-issue

Bring back the YAC!

by jfainsf49 on Mar 5, 2008 12:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not #80

I say he sticks to the 88 given in a recent post

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on Mar 5, 2008 10:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Some concern

Anybody else think it's funny that our most likely two staring WRs are from divisional opponents. I mean it isn't exactly going to be a surprise when we face our divisional opponents this year. The Seahawks definitely know how to shut down D-Jack as evident by his total of only 4 catches and 42 yards in two games against the team. So why is it any less likely that the Rams can't do that against Bruce. After all last season the only divisional opponent he ran rampant against was... the 49ers. I'm sorry, I am terrificly comfortable with this. I know Bruce is a legend and I'm sure he'll be better than D-Jack was last year but it's still a big risk to me. I mean we play against divisional opponents twice a year and that accounts for nearly 40% of our season.

by StrictlyFootball on Mar 5, 2008 12:11 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Eh

It's kind of tough to take the Rams offensive performance into any kind of consideration for a projection on Bruce's potential output for this season. The Rams were pretty tore up offensively last year when injuries basically decimated their entire team. The QBs, RBs, and especially the offensive line were all tore up, so how could anyone really make any kind of judgment on the WRs output if their compliments (and contributors) are out of whack?

You can't really.

by sfgfan on Mar 5, 2008 12:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok yes... but

Ok yes, but if you go back to a year before, where Bruce went over 1,000 yards (I'm not kidding myself and saying he's still at that form), he was on average pulling in 5 receptions for about 55 yards against divisional opponents. Which is not to shabby mind you, but you have to think that St. Louis will be familiarized with both Bruce's capabilities and Mike Martzs' system. All I am saying that for our offense to succeed against divisional opponents we will be relying heavily on the RBs; Frank Gore and Deshaun Foster, and the TEs; Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. It would be nice if we could have a WR that could spice it up a little in those games as well.

by StrictlyFootball on Mar 5, 2008 12:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I don't think anyone is going to disagree with you in terms of the offense running through Frank (and Foster) as well as the tight ends. Martz even admitted that Frank is going to be a big part of what they do.

The 49ers are very high on Hill. He may not have been ready last year, but as has been the point around here the past few days, WRs tend to take some time to develop, even the "good" ones. Hill's got decent size, is physical, and is quick to boot. He's got the physical tools, and now has a capable coordinator to go along with his (perceived to be) capable position coach.

by sfgfan on Mar 5, 2008 1:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lack there of...

Of course we can speculate till our fingers become arthritic, but until we see who they draft and who battles for the top spot in WR their is just no way of seeing who comes through for us. We have potentially have 5 WRs who can battle it out for the top spots before the draft, we may have more after, and until Nolan says who will be our starting WRs I could care less. The only thing that stands out about this bunch is the definite lack of a number 1 WR.

by StrictlyFootball on Mar 5, 2008 2:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

not too concerned

Last season. yes i was def concerned. We hired an offensive coordinator that had 0 years of coaching as an offensive coordinator. When Turner took over the year before, they showed some promises. Gore setting new records. Alex Smith, well, he got some touchdowns. With MM, this offense are gonna be 40times better than 07. Im looking forward to what Martz can bring. Shaun or Alex, just make it happen. Superbowl here we come. I hope.......

by golden eye on Mar 5, 2008 12:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Love this signing

Darrell Jackson can be our #1, which he was in Seattle not that long ago. A good offensive coordinator can make all the difference. Bruce will be a solid #2 and in hindsight this will be seen as a fantastic signing... and I agree about those intangibles.

by jaytierney on Mar 5, 2008 1:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs