Should old acquaintances be forgot? Not for the San Francisco 49ers this new year. In an about-face, Niner coach Mike Singletary declared that 16-year veteran receiver Isaac Bruce will get one last start for today's game at St. Louis, the San Jose Mercury News reports. Bruce played 14 of his seasons in St. Louis with the Rams.
Bruce has not played in more than a month, and it widely speculated that after Sunday's game he will retire.
As the Sacramento Bee's Matt Barrows deftly tweets, "St. Louis fans will get to yell, BRUUUUUUUUUUUUCE one more time."
Don't expect any kind of monster, climactic game to close out Bruce's career. Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat tweeted from Thursday's 49er practice, "Isaac Bruce is not practicing today either. What kind of role will he have Sunday? Can't believe it would be much."
Maiocco follows that up with, "Fantasy football tip: Do not pick up 49ers WR Isaac Bruce to play Sunday against Rams."
But we should expect a monster game from the Niners. St. Louis is 1-14. The Rams' Steven Jackson is hobbled with a gimpy back. St. Louis still hasn't made a decision in its Sophie's Choice of starting quarterbacks, still wavering between rookie Keith Null and fumble machine Kyle Boller. It's Week 17, and these hapless Rams still haven't won a single game at home.
But St. Louis fans will, at least, have Isaac Bruce to root for.
Sports
Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who would hate to see the Rams go and jeopardize their shot at that No. 1 overall draft pick.
