Isaac Bruce to stay with Rams.

12thMan · 03-10-2006, 12:59 PM

Just five days after being released by the St. Louis Rams for salary cap reasons, four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Isaac Bruce will rejoin the only team for which he has every played, ESPN.com has learned.

Bruce has agreed to a new, three-year deal worth $15 million and the contract is expected to be officially executed as early as Friday.

The contract will pay Bruce $6 million in 2006. Under his previous contract, he would have earned $8.1 million total from a roster bonus ($1.5 million), base salary ($6.5 million) and workout bonus ($100,000).

Although he received immediate interest from several teams after his release on Sunday night, and could have signed elsewhere because he did not have to wait until the start of the free agency period, Bruce's aim was to return to the Rams, if possible, to complete his career. One of the team's most interested in Bruce was the Detroit Lions, where former Rams head coach Mike Martz is the new offensive coordinator.

But Rams officials maintained a dialogue with Bruce and agent Jimmy Sexton, and the wide receiver met with team officials, including first-year coach Scott Linehan, on Thursday to discuss his future. Linehan reiterated to Bruce what he had said publicly, that he projected him as still fitting into the team's plans, and wanted him to return if salary terms could be agreed upon.

Negotiations with the Rams were aimed at meeting both sides' priorities. Bruce never visited other teams and there were no substantive contract talks with other franchises. Bruce, 33, represents the final link to the Rams' days in Los Angeles, having been the club's second-round draft choice in 1994. He is one of the most popular players in the St. Louis community and highly regarded by club officials and teammates.

The 12-year veteran has appeared in 167 games and started in 154 of them. He has 813 receptions for 12,278 yards and 77 touchdowns. Six times, Bruce has posted 75 or more catches in a season and he has seven seasons of 1,000 yards or more. His 73-yard touchdown reception provided St. Louis the winning score in its Super Bowl XXXIV victory over the Tennessee Titans.

Limited to 11 appearances in 2005 because of injuries, Bruce had 36 catches and 525 yards, his lowest totals since 1998, when a severe hamstring injury forced him to miss 11 contests. But the Rams and other teams feel Bruce has not slipped much physically and still has some productive years remaining. Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

diehardskin2982 · 03-10-2006, 01:08 PM

oh well I wasn't to thrilled about us pursuing him any way

SmootSmack · 03-10-2006, 01:12 PM

I just hope #56fanatic will be ok. He REALLY wanted Bruce here. Threatened to stop being a Redskins fan if we didn't sign him. It's a been a tough week for him, first we lose LaVar then we don't sign IB.

celts32 · 03-10-2006, 01:12 PM

Good news...Danny likes to give large signing bonuses and small yearly salaries. it's to big a gamble to use that strategy with 34 year old players. They need to plug someone in there that they can count on to be here for 5 years or more...

dirthogs311 · 03-10-2006, 01:18 PM

Bye Bye Bruce Hello Brandon Lloyd

scowan · 03-10-2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirthogs311

Bye Bye Bruce Hello Brandon Lloyd

I am with you dirthogs, I would not mind having Brandon Lloyd. Let he and Patten battle-it-out for the #2 position. Taylor Jacobs will be gone and I guess Thrash as well, (however I like Thrash and would hate to lose him)

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 03-10-2006, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirthogs311

Bye Bye Bruce Hello Brandon Lloyd

I don't like the idea of trading picks for him. I like him, but SF is going to try to hold onto him (they have no one else at WR and he's their #1 guy).

dirthogs311 · 03-10-2006, 01:25 PM

I dont think Thrash is gone, I think he is a valuable player on our special teams squad.

dirthogs311 · 03-10-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

I don't like the idea of trading picks for him. I like him, but SF is going to try to hold onto him (they have no one else at WR and he's their #1 guy).

You never know what the skins can do, we could maybe package a pick with Jacobs or another player.

TheMalcolmConnection · 03-10-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

I don't like the idea of trading picks for him. I like him, but SF is going to try to hold onto him (they have no one else at WR and he's their #1 guy).

And whoever DOES bite on him is going to get the Joan Collins special in return.

Monksdown · 03-10-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

I just hope #56fanatic will be ok. He REALLY wanted Bruce here. Threatened to stop being a Redskins fan if we didn't sign him. It's a been a tough week for him, first we lose LaVar then we don't sign IB.

Im glad you pointed this family member out to me. I don't care that Lavar is gone, and I don't really care for Isaac Bruce that much. Im having a fun week.

VTSkins897 · 03-10-2006, 01:35 PM

i don't mind lavar being gone either. it'd be weird to see him in another nfc east jersey but even then who cares? we got marcus washington. look at his last name...

whoever we pick up as our WR i think we keep thrash. thrash is the kinda guy you hold on to imo.

Monksdown · 03-10-2006, 01:48 PM

While it would be weird to see him in another jersey. Clinton is the type of back that will make Lavar miss atleast once. And that will be our highlight of all highlights.

And why does everyone hate on James? The dude catches it when we throw it to him. He plays on both sides of our special teams. And he's not pricey. He needs to be a core(if not big name) Redskin.

That Guy · 03-10-2006, 02:05 PM

llyod sucks, no thanks. Lets get someone else and keep our draft picks.

diehardskin2982 · 03-10-2006, 02:07 PM

If Lavar faces us I can see him trying to put Brunnel out like aikman

03-10-2006, 01:12 PM	#3
SmootSmack Uncle Phil Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 45,256	Re: Isaac Bruce to stay with Rams. I just hope #56fanatic will be ok. He REALLY wanted Bruce here. Threatened to stop being a Redskins fan if we didn't sign him. It's a been a tough week for him, first we lose LaVar then we don't sign IB. __________________ You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Sig Is About You

03-10-2006, 01:12 PM	#4
celts32 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hackettstown NJ Age: 54 Posts: 2,665	Re: Isaac Bruce to stay with Rams. Good news...Danny likes to give large signing bonuses and small yearly salaries. it's to big a gamble to use that strategy with 34 year old players. They need to plug someone in there that they can count on to be here for 5 years or more... __________________ Section 116 Row 19 “Goal line, goal line. I-left, tight wing, 70 chip on white.” www.facebook.com/HackettstownBeerClub

03-10-2006, 01:25 PM	#8
dirthogs311 Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: College Station, TX Age: 41 Posts: 305	Re: Isaac Bruce to stay with Rams. I dont think Thrash is gone, I think he is a valuable player on our special teams squad.

03-10-2006, 01:35 PM	#12
VTSkins897 Impact Rookie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 42 Posts: 890	Re: Isaac Bruce to stay with Rams. i don't mind lavar being gone either. it'd be weird to see him in another nfc east jersey but even then who cares? we got marcus washington. look at his last name... whoever we pick up as our WR i think we keep thrash. thrash is the kinda guy you hold on to imo.

03-10-2006, 01:48 PM	#13
Monksdown The Starter Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Warrenton, Virginia Age: 45 Posts: 1,515	Re: Isaac Bruce to stay with Rams. While it would be weird to see him in another jersey. Clinton is the type of back that will make Lavar miss atleast once. And that will be our highlight of all highlights. And why does everyone hate on James? The dude catches it when we throw it to him. He plays on both sides of our special teams. And he's not pricey. He needs to be a core(if not big name) Redskin.

03-10-2006, 12:59 PM	#1
12thMan MVP Join Date: May 2005 Location: washington, D.C. Posts: 11,460	Isaac Bruce to stay with Rams. Just five days after being released by the St. Louis Rams for salary cap reasons, four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Isaac Bruce will rejoin the only team for which he has every played, ESPN.com has learned. Bruce has agreed to a new, three-year deal worth $15 million and the contract is expected to be officially executed as early as Friday. The contract will pay Bruce $6 million in 2006. Under his previous contract, he would have earned $8.1 million total from a roster bonus ($1.5 million), base salary ($6.5 million) and workout bonus ($100,000). Although he received immediate interest from several teams after his release on Sunday night, and could have signed elsewhere because he did not have to wait until the start of the free agency period, Bruce's aim was to return to the Rams, if possible, to complete his career. One of the team's most interested in Bruce was the Detroit Lions, where former Rams head coach Mike Martz is the new offensive coordinator. But Rams officials maintained a dialogue with Bruce and agent Jimmy Sexton, and the wide receiver met with team officials, including first-year coach Scott Linehan, on Thursday to discuss his future. Linehan reiterated to Bruce what he had said publicly, that he projected him as still fitting into the team's plans, and wanted him to return if salary terms could be agreed upon. Negotiations with the Rams were aimed at meeting both sides' priorities. Bruce never visited other teams and there were no substantive contract talks with other franchises. Bruce, 33, represents the final link to the Rams' days in Los Angeles, having been the club's second-round draft choice in 1994. He is one of the most popular players in the St. Louis community and highly regarded by club officials and teammates. The 12-year veteran has appeared in 167 games and started in 154 of them. He has 813 receptions for 12,278 yards and 77 touchdowns. Six times, Bruce has posted 75 or more catches in a season and he has seven seasons of 1,000 yards or more. His 73-yard touchdown reception provided St. Louis the winning score in its Super Bowl XXXIV victory over the Tennessee Titans. Limited to 11 appearances in 2005 because of injuries, Bruce had 36 catches and 525 yards, his lowest totals since 1998, when a severe hamstring injury forced him to miss 11 contests. But the Rams and other teams feel Bruce has not slipped much physically and still has some productive years remaining. Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

03-10-2006, 01:08 PM	#2
diehardskin2982 Another Year, another mess. Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,581	Re: Isaac Bruce to stay with Rams. oh well I wasn't to thrilled about us pursuing him any way __________________ That got ugly fast

03-10-2006, 01:18 PM	#5
dirthogs311 Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: College Station, TX Age: 41 Posts: 305	Re: Isaac Bruce to stay with Rams. Bye Bye Bruce Hello Brandon Lloyd

03-10-2006, 02:05 PM	#14
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 43 Posts: 17,620	Re: Isaac Bruce to stay with Rams. llyod sucks, no thanks. Lets get someone else and keep our draft picks.

03-10-2006, 02:07 PM	#15
diehardskin2982 Another Year, another mess. Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,581	Re: Isaac Bruce to stay with Rams. If Lavar faces us I can see him trying to put Brunnel out like aikman __________________ That got ugly fast

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Isaac Bruce to stay with Rams.

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