Professor

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=st&type=lgns

Rams release Bruce, but want him back

March 6, 2006
ST. LOUIS (Ticker) - The St. Louis Rams didn't have to do it, but decided to release their all-time leading receiver.

Isaac Bruce was waived by the Rams on Monday after the two sides could not agree on a restructured contract. The release of Bruce clears about $8 million in salary cap for the Rams, but they are already more than $10 million under the 2006 salary cap.

"This has been a difficult process," Rams president of football operations Jay Zygmunt said. "However, we remain optimistic that a contract can be completed in the near future."

But as of now, Bruce is headed to the free agent market. Teams can begin signing free agents on Thursday.

In 2003, the Rams cut cornerback Aeneas Williams before he was due a $3.5 million roster bonus. Two days later, they re-signed him. The same could happen with Bruce.

Bruce, 33, has spent his entire 12-year career with the Rams and has 813 catches for 12,278 yards and 77 touchdowns.

A turf toe injury caused Bruce to miss five games last season. He finished with 36 catches for 525 yards and three touchdowns.





Updated on Monday, Mar 6, 2006 3:21 pm EST

bigboy

MickeyG

How i gotta say this is a huge shock. I had heard they were giving him an extention, but instead he is a free agent. It sure would be nice to see him back with the Rams to finish his career with them.

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MickeyG

already got a thread.

http://www.footballforum.com/st-loui...ase-bruce.html

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bigboy

They said the major sticking point was that he was due 10 million this year and they weren't close on a deal so they decided to cut him and try to re-work the deal to get him back. If not I wouldn't be surprised to see him end up in Motown...

Professor

I think martz would love to have bruce.

MickeyG

i'm sure he would like to have him, but is there any room for him at reciever?

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bigboy

I'm sure that Rogers is on his way out and that would leave Roy Williams, MIke Williams, Bruce and Vines (who they're high on) and Martz loves to have WR's so they may even try to keep Rogers.

Professor

couldn't have said it better myself. nice work bigboy

Professor

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

Our View
The Rams were diligent about keeping an open contact with Bruce after they released him, so it's not that surprising they got a deal done. He appeared in 11 games in 2005 and was limited to 36 catches for 525 yards. Durability will definitely be a concern going into the 2006 season for fantasy owners.