Rams News

Bruce doesn't want to stay in receiver pack for long

By R.B. FALLSTROM

AP Sports Writer

MACOMB, Ill. (AP) Scanning the myriad preseason NFL magazines, the name Isaac Bruce rarely appears on the list of top receivers. How quickly they forget.

In 1996, the St. Louis Rams wide receiver led the NFL with 1,338 yards receiving on 84 catches and went to the Pro Bowl. Last year he got off to a slow start due to a hamstring injury. After missing four games and most of a fifth, he ended up second on his team in both receptions (54) and yards (815).

When healthy, Bruce caught balls at about the same rate as in '96. So now that's he's healthy, look out.

"No Bruce, that's the way it goes," Bruce said of the magazine ratings. "If you go out and have a great season and have 1,200 yards, you'll probably be ranked No. 1, and if you have an injury, you won't even be in there.

"I don't even read them. I know what I can do and I'm pretty sure other defensive coordinators know what I can do."

The Rams know he's their meal ticket. Bruce had more catches (224) his first three seasons than anybody in NFL history. Coach Dick Vermeil said Bruce's 10-catch, 233-yard, two-touchdown game at Atlanta last November was one for the ages.

"If he plays 10 more years, you're not going to have many more games like that," Vermeil said. "I believe Isaac will have a very, very fine year.

"He's too talented not to have a good year."

Entering his fifth season, Bruce is already sixth on the Rams' reception list with 280 catches. With only an average season, he could move into the top three past Elroy Hirsch (343).

All he has to do is stay on the field.

Bruce didn't participate in the Rams' offseason conditioning program, preferring to work with a professional trainer in Memphis. He concentrated on his legs.

"I worked them a lot," Bruce said. ``Leg curls, lunges, whatever you can imagine for a hamstring, I did it. I'm still doing it now."

Bruce said his regimen was just as difficult, if not more so, than what most of his teammates went through. The key is he had somebody watching and pushing.

"I couldn't just walk off the field and say `Look, I'm done for the day,' " Bruce said. "There were plenty of days when I wanted to quit.

"I had a couple of weeks when I just wanted to take the week off, but I forced myself out of bed."

Bruce also attended school in the offseason, and needs only five hours for his bachelor's degree in education.

He was so busy that he didn't have time for much else besides his two favorite shows: Big Valley, the oldie Western series, and Jeopardy.

"By the time the final question is on, I'm asleep," Bruce said.

Bruce said he was only at about 70 percent efficiency last year because of his hamstring injury, which was followed by a sprained ankle and sprained wrist.

"Even Jeff Gordon has a flat tire," Bruce said. ``I was proven and driven last year, I just couldn't get out and do it."

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