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*****, Bruce agree on deal
Ex-Rams receiver to join Martz in San Francisco
Nancy Gay, Chronicle Staff Writer
VP Kurt Warner throwing quick, accurate strikes to receivers running complicated patterns, earning the offense the nickname "The Greatest Show on Turf."
Now the ***** are hoping Bruce, along with Martz, can help quarterback Alex Smith capture some of that offensive excitement.
Bruce has had six seasons with 75 or more catches and eight seasons with 1,000 or more receiving yards. In 2007, he had 55 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games for the Rams - more than any player on the *****' roster. Running back Frank Gore led the ***** in receptions last season with 53 catches, followed by tight end Vernon Davis with 52 and wideout Arnaz Battle with 50.
McCloughan had emphasized this offseason that fans shouldn't expect the ***** to jump into what is considered an average free-agent pool, one year after spending big bucks to acquire the likes of cornerback Nate Clements ($80 million.)
So much for restraint - the ***** were among the first teams to reach agreements with free agents when the signing period began at 9:01 p.m. Thursday.
They signed former Lions backup quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan to a one-year, $645,000 deal, securing another former Martz player. Martz was the offensive coordinator in Detroit the past two seasons before being fired.
Former Steelers cornerback/kick returner Allen Rossum, who was waived by Pittsburgh last week, signed a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum ($870,000.) Then the ***** landed former Panthers halfback De- Shaun Foster, signing him to a two-year, $1.8 million contract. Former Vikings linebacker Dontarrious Thomas also reached agreement with the ***** on a two-year deal.
During the day, ***** officials were eager hosts to former Bengals defensive end Justin Smith, a pass rusher they have been eying for weeks. Smith left Santa Clara without a deal in place and he is expected to visit the Vikings either today or Sunday.
The ***** also lost a Justin - guard Justin Smiley, who signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Dolphins less than an hour after the signing period began. Smiley's deal includes $9 million in guarantees.
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