Bruce showing that career has gone deep
By
Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch
Thursday, Sep. 16 2004
Georgia Frontiere made a rare practice appearance Wednesday afternoon at Rams
Park. She spoke briefly with coach Mike Martz and president of football
operations Jay Zygmunt. But when practice was over, guess who she walked off
the field with? Why, Isaac Bruce.
Some around the NFL seemingly have forgotten that Bruce exists. But not the
Rams' team owner.
"She's always been great to me," Bruce said. "She's been great to my family
from the first day I met her in Los Angeles. After I was drafted, she sent my
mother a bouquet of flowers, and told my mother she'd take care of me. And
she's held true to that."
Bruce has held up his end of the bargain. Four Pro Bowls; 1996 NFL leader in
reception yards; two-time team MVP; game-winning catch in Super Bowl XXXIV;
career club leader in both catches and reception yards.
He's steadily moving up the NFL's career charts as well, ranking 15th in
reception yards (10,573) and 19th in receptions (697).
"Yeah, (the numbers) mean a lot," Bruce said. "Especially once I'm done
playing. But I don't see that happening any time soon."
At times, coaches, scouts, fans, and the media have short memories. Some would
tell you that NFL stands for "Not For Long." But for those thinking Bruce, at
age 31, was approaching the twilight of his career, he delivered this simple
message through his play last Sunday against Arizona: Think again.
Bruce caught nine passes for 112 yards against the Cardinals, including the
game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.
"It was a whole lot of fun," Bruce said. "It was pretty much how we scripted
it. It put us a game up in the division. We come out and start off on a winning
note, and expect a carryover."
For the first time since his hamstring injury years (1997-1998), Bruce dipped
below 1,000 yards receiving last season. An ankle injury cost him one game, and
limited him in the regular-season finale against Detroit.
With Torry Holt seemingly becoming more entrenched as the Rams' go-to wide
receiver, there were questions about whether Bruce's skills were in decline.
Not to the extent of questions concerning teammate Marshall Faulk, but
questions nonetheless.
"Him and Marshall, I get a kick out of people saying they're not the same, and
they've lost speed," Atlanta coach Jim Mora said Wednesday, on a conference
call with St. Louis reporters. "They haven't lost anything. They're great
athletes. They're great competitors. They take care of their bodies." ...
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