Tag: Isaac Bruce

Isaac Bruce describes what it was like to wear his Hall of Fame jacket for the first time

Isaac Bruce doesn’t want to send his gold jacket back to the Hall of Fame yet, and has worn it in every room of his house.

Isaac Bruce was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, but due to the pandemic, his enshrinement ceremony had to be pushed back a year. He and the rest of the 2020 class will be enshrined this August in Canton, getting the celebration they rightfully deserve.

Ahead of the ceremony, the Hall of Fame sent Bruce his gold jacket – but not to keep. It was just to try on and wear for a little while before it’s sent back to Canton for the celebration in less than two months.

Bruce was on the Jim Rome Show this week and reflected on what it felt like to put the jacket on for the first time. Understandably, he wore it in every room of his house and took a bunch of pictures in it.

“That was so real. You see iconic pieces of clothing, material and jewelry, but to actually have one in your hands, in your possession and have the ability to try it on and put it on,” he said. “I think I wore it in just about every room of my house, outside, took some personal pictures. It was fun. Just having it on and I’ve seen some of the greats with jackets. The Terrell Owens, the Jim Browns. Guys who have made tremendous contributions to the game of football that we all love.”

Rome asked Bruce how hard it is to send the jacket back to Canton for the enshrinement ceremony, but the Rams legend doesn’t know the feeling yet. He hasn’t sent it back to the Hall of Fame, keeping it for a little while longer.

He has found it difficult to part with the iconic jacket, though.

“It’s like being a kid again when you get your first bicycle. A better question for you to ask me is have I sent it back already? And that answer would be no,” he said, laughing. “Just when you get it, it’s hard to send it back because it’s a culmination of a lot of people that helped you get to that moment. And I want to show it off to them, give them the opportunity to touch it, maybe take a personal picture with it if they can but don’t post anything right now. But it’s hard to send it back. … Eventually we will get it back to Canton for the celebration to make sure everything’s in proper place for the celebration. But I have to warn them: They’ll probably have to dry clean mine before we do that celebration.”

Bruce played 14 years with the Rams, totaling 942 catches for 14,109 yards and 84 touchdowns in his career with L.A./St. Louis. He won a Super Bowl, was a four-time Pro Bowler and racked up eight 1,000-yard seasons.

It’s only right that a receiver of his caliber make it to Canton.

Isaac Bruce loves Matthew Stafford’s fit in LA, expects Rams to win NFC West

Isaac Bruce raved about the Rams’ offseason additions, expecting them to win the NFC West for the first time since 2018.

Although there are plenty of skeptics when it comes to the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl chances under Matthew Stafford, there’s also a large contingent of fans and analysts that believes this team will take the next step and contend for a ring.

Count Hall of Fame receiver Isaac Bruce among those who feel confident in the Rams’ chances to make a deep run.

On the Jim Rome Show this week, Bruce talked about the Rams’ acquisition of Stafford and what it means for the offense. He loves the move, going as far as saying he believes Stafford would get Hall of Fame votes if he retired today.

“I was really excited about it,” Bruce said of the Rams acquiring Stafford. “You talk about a guy who will get some votes as far as the Pro Football Hall of Fame when his career is over. I believe if he were to retire right now today, he would probably get some votes. I mean, the guy’s got 45,000 career passing yards.”

The connection between Stafford and Sean McVay is a critical one, and one that Bruce believes will lead to a lot of great things offensively. He doesn’t think Stafford has had a coach like McVay before, being so offensive-minded and creative with his play calling.

“I feel like he’s never had a coach that’s on the caliber of Coach McVay, a guy that can really mix it up as far as pre-snap reads are concerned, can really keep a defense on its heels,” Bruce continued. “Just to be in a connection with Coach McVay, I think he’s really going to blossom this year. Adding that mix to what we did defensively last year, I think we can really, really win this NFC West once again, which I believe is the best division in football considering the quarterback play, the head coaches that are calling the offensive plays. I just think we’re that team that’s going to come out of the NFC West and I’m excited about what we brought in.”

The Rams won the NFC West in 2017 and 2018, but they finished third and second in the last two years. Bruce expects L.A. to claim arguably the best division in football this season thanks to the changes the team made in the offseason.

Obviously, Stafford is the headliner, but Bruce feels the additions of Tutu Atwell and DeSean Jackson will open things up for the offense, being those speed threats that were lacking last season.

“Tutu Atwell, I think he’ll add a lot to what we do offensively. DeSean Jackson being able to take the top off that defense,” he said. “I just think it opens up everything Sean McVay wants to do that he was kind of handcuffed in doing a couple years later when Goff started to stray to the left, so just having Matthew Stafford in and that combination, I’m expecting big games this year.”

The Rams have a difficult schedule that includes the Buccaneers, Packers, Titans, Colts and the three NFC West teams twice each, so going 13-4 or 14-3 could be a real challenge. But on paper, the Rams look like the best team in the division and if they can just get to the playoffs, anything can happen.

They should be a team no one wants to face in January.

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Watch: Isaac Bruce gets his Hall of Fame gold jacket

Isaac Bruce’s gold jacket was delivered ahead of his enshrinement ceremony in August.

Rams legend Isaac Bruce was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year as part of the Class of 2020, finally breaking through in his sixth year of eligibility and after being a finalist four times. However, due to the pandemic, the enshrinement ceremony was postponed for Bruce’s class.

As a result, he’s had to wait even longer than expected. But on Tuesday, he got a special delivery. The Rams shared a video of Bruce opening his gold jacket for the first time as he gets closer to officially being enshrined with a ceremony on Aug. 7 in Canton.

Bruce selected former Rams executive Tony Wylie, who was with St. Louis when Bruce was drafted in the second round in 1994, as his Hall of Fame presenter.

“He’s a person that knows my career from a very intimate standpoint and he’s very knowledgeable of my ups, my downs,” Bruce said last April. “He’s been there for every impactful moment I’ve had as far as being a professional football player.”

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Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce share their thoughts on Rams’ blockbuster trade for Matt Stafford

Marshall Faulk doesn’t know if it was a good move by the Rams, but Isaac Bruce sees it as an upgrade.

All eyes are on the Chiefs and Buccaneers this weekend as they square off in Super Bowl LV, but the Los Angeles Rams stole headlines for the last week when they agreed to a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Lions. The Rams are sending Jared Goff and three draft picks to the Lions for Matthew Stafford, officially making a change at quarterback for next season.

It was a shocking move by Les Snead and the Rams, who are swinging for the fences in an attempt to win a Super Bowl in the next two seasons. Rams legends Marshall Faulk and Isaac Bruce discussed the trade recently on the Bleav in Rams podcast, and neither Hall of Famer is sold on the deal for Los Angeles.

Here’s what Faulk thinks of the trade, saying Stafford will now learn if it was him who couldn’t win big games or if the Lions were the ones holding him back.

“I’m indifferent, and I’m going to tell you why I’m indifferent,” Faulk said. “They know what’s in the DNA of this young kid. That’s why they had to let Goff get up out of there. It started with the Super Bowl, he took a crap there, and then all the way since in some big games, he wasn’t showing up. And here’s the thing: They unloaded a lot of salary and the thing that’s making me indifferent is … Matthew Stafford’s been there, what, 11-12 years? He hasn’t won the NFC North yet. I’m just saying. Arm talent? I see it. But the ability to lead men? I mean, you’ve gotta think of some of the quarterbacks that were in Chicago that won the NFC North. So it brings to me, like, man, I don’t know.

“But I remember when I walked into the Rams locker room, there’s something about when you go to a new team regardless of what you’ve done, you have to reestablish yourself and let people know who you are. And the attention to detail is now on you because the change of scenery is there. And here’s what Matthew Stafford is about to find out. He’s about to find out if it was Detroit or if it was him because the Rams have the components, they have what’s necessary to get it done.”

Bruce seems to like the trade more than Faulk does, but he also has his reservations because of the cost the Rams gave up to land Jared Goff in 2016, and then the amount they gave up to get rid of him this offseason.

In addition to trading two first-round picks and a third-rounder along with Goff, the Rams also take on $22.2 million in dead money for trading him.

“I truly believe it’s an upgrade, man, from any stretch of the imagination,” Bruce said. “Because when you’re playing that position, No. 1, it’s a leadership position. You expect your quarterback to be the first guy off the charter, leading the crew, leading the guys. Leadership is important. But when you see a guy who’s lost confidence within himself, you’re reading his body language, you don’t want to follow that guy. I’m sitting home and I’m watching the games and I get more frustrated than some of the receivers that are playing right now because of Jared Goff. The way he was playing, the way he was acting like he didn’t want to be there. I’m excited about the move. I feel like it was an upgrade to the position, no doubt. I think Stafford, he brings in a stronger arm. I’ve heard stories about how he plays through injury, he’s tough enough to be there for the guys.

“But I’m kind of indifferent, as well. You just look at the executive leadership we have right now because you gave up a lot to get Jared Goff, and you gave up a lot to get rid of him before the guy’s 26 years old. So I’m thinking, how are we seeing this upstairs or what’s happening right now? Because we gave up a lot of first-round picks.”

Goff is a talented player, but he seemed to lose his confidence in Los Angeles and fell out of favor with the coaching staff, namely Sean McVay. Stafford has never lacked confidence or toughness and brings a more aggressive approach to the quarterback position moving forward.

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Isaac Bruce perfectly explains why Rams should start John Wolford over Jared Goff

Isaac Bruce left no doubt about which quarterback he would start for the Rams this weekend.

The Los Angeles Rams wrapped up their week of practice and preparation for the Seattle Seahawks and we still don’t know who their starting quarterback will be. Jared Goff was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but he insists his surgically repaired thumb is “feeling good” and he’ll be ready to play if needed.

John Wolford is coming off his first NFL game and he played well enough to warrant consideration as the starter on Saturday against the Seahawks. The Rams fanbase is mostly torn on who they’d like to see under center this weekend, but Hall of Fame receiver Isaac Bruce left no doubt about who he’d start.

He gave a perfect and insightful explanation as to why he would go with Wolford over Goff.

“I would play Wolford. I’d go ahead and play Wolford, just because the Seahawks are coming in with the unknown, they haven’t seen Wolford up close and personal, they have one game of film on him,” he told TMZ. “He’s serviceable as far as throwing the ball. I think coach McVay opened it up a little bit for him last week. I mean, we were in a point where for the last three or four weeks, we weren’t throwing the ball down the field or outside the numbers, so to be able to come in and actually call those plays with Wolford, and he adds that extra ability with his legs. Hey man, that’s what the league is turning into right now, just a guy from the quarterback position that’s able to keep plays and keep drives going, I think he helps us.”

Sean McVay refused to name a starter throughout the week, opting to keep his decision under wraps. That’s partly for a competitive edge, and partly because he probably doesn’t really know how Goff’s thumb will be until game time.

What McVay also didn’t do is rule out the possibility of playing both quarterbacks against the Seahawks – something Bruce wouldn’t mind seeing.

“I’m not opposed to seeing both guys, even if Goff is ready, if both guys have to rotate,” he said. “I’m not opposed to that. … When you bring in a guy like Wolford, he brings that extra skill set as far as being able to keep drives going with his legs. So whatever we need to do to help this defense out, we need to get it done come Saturday.”

The Rams are three-point underdogs to Seattle despite their uncertainty at quarterback. It’s unclear how that line would move if a starter were announced ahead of time, but it’s likely we won’t find out anyway.

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Isaac Bruce would love to see Rams trade for Deshaun Watson

Isaac Bruce says he’d be “jumping on the table” for the chance to acquire Deshaun Watson.

The Rams are tied to Jared Goff for the next few years after signing him to a $134 million extension before the 2019 season. He’s their franchise quarterback and there’s no reason to believe the two will part ways this offseason.

But a recent report out of Houston has some Rams fans clamoring at the possibility of acquiring Deshaun Watson from the Texans. It’s been reported that Watson is unhappy in Houston after having no say in the hiring of GM Nick Caserio after he was told he would be involved in the hiring process.

It’s not just Rams fans who want to dump Goff for Watson, either. Hall of Fame receiver Isaac Bruce would jump at the opportunity for Los Angeles to acquire Watson.

“I’d love to see it, I’m just going to be honest,” Bruce told TMZ. “I think Deshaun Watson is a great talent. He can throw the football well. He’s a competitor. You don’t have to worry about if this guy is going to show up [on] Sunday. At all. He’ll be leading the charge as far as the first guy off the charter, first guy off the plane, first guy off the bus to go play a football game and win a football game.

“If Les [Snead] can pull it off, man, I’d be jumping on the table as well to make it happen.”

There are many hurdles on the path to making this actually work, which makes it almost impossible for the Rams to pull it off. Trading Goff this offseason would leave a dead cap hit of $22.2 million in 2021. Releasing him would leave behind $65.5 million.

Then there’s the draft capital required to land Watson, which would presumably be in the range of three-plus first-round picks. The Rams, of course, don’t have a first-rounder until 2022.

The front office will never admit there’s regret in giving Goff that massive contract in 2019, but Bruce says it’s hard to imagine there isn’t some buyer’s remorse based on the way Goff has played. He still believes Goff can turn it around in Los Angeles, though.

“Well, human nature automatically says you regret it because if the personnel that you paid that ticket to is not performing up to that standard, there is some regret,” he said. “But can we coach this guy to get back to that level of what he was? I believe it’s possible. I believe we have the coaching staff around Goff to coach him back up and give him another opportunity. But that being said, it has to come from within the player himself, if he wants it, if he’s willing. Unfortunately, what I’ve seen, just some of the body language of Goff, it doesn’t seem like he’s willing to take that path right now.”

In all likelihood, Goff will be the Rams’ starting quarterback next season, and probably the year after that. He’s under contract through 2024 and it’ll be difficult for the Rams to get out of the deal in the next two seasons.

Nothing is impossible, but expect to see No. 16 at quarterback for at least another two seasons.

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Isaac Bruce: Rams should ‘absolutely’ bring in Antonio Brown

Isaac Bruce says Antonio Brown would “take the Rams to a different level.”

There are several questions on the Rams’ roster as they head into the 2020 season, but the wide receiver group certainly is not one of them. Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods make up one of the top duos in the league, while Josh Reynolds and Van Jefferson are two good receivers to have battling for the No. 3 spot.

However, the Rams’ depth at wideout shouldn’t stop them from bringing in Antonio Brown, according to Isaac Bruce. The former Rams receiver says Los Angeles should definitely consider signing Brown, or at least bringing him in for a workout.

Here’s what he said about Brown in an interview with CBS Sports’ Zach Gelb.

“Absolutely. I mean, you’re talking about one of the premier wide receivers from the past decade that we have. A guy that was very productive, I think a guy that has started to make the 180-degree turn that’s required to be a part of a team — which I feel he wants to be. We’ve done some things in the past, reached out and got guys that other people may see (as controversial) and brought them in the fold. I think Les Snead should reach out, see the interest, and maybe bring him in at least for a workout. But a guy that caliber, I don’t think you need to work him out because he’s a hard worker, great work ethic, he’s very productive like I mentioned, and I think he’ll challenge the people in his room and take the Rams to a different level.”

Brown was suspended eight games in July for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The NFL investigated an accusation of sexual misconduct against Brown for an incident that happened in 2017. Brown was also charged with felony burglary with battery and two misdemeanors following an altercation with a moving truck company outside his home.

Last year alone, Brown was traded to the Raiders before being cut by them in September, and then was signed by the Patriots, who released him after just one game due to the sexual misconduct accusations.

Despite the trouble Brown has gotten himself into, Bruce believes the former Steelers receiver has learned from his mistakes and matured.

“I think football has probably been a part of his life from his youth,” Bruce said. “Just to have that taken away from him, that tends to make a person sit down and just reflect on career choices, life choices and just the results and the fruit that you bore. So, I think from that standpoint, anybody being in their right mind can make the life adjustments to do something that they love to do.”

In all likelihood, the Rams won’t give Brown a call. Wide receiver isn’t a roster need, and the distractions that would probably come with signing Brown aren’t worth it. Sean McVay likes the guys he has, and there’s little reason for Los Angeles to take a chance on Brown.

Isaac Bruce announces his presenter for Hall of Fame induction

Isaac Bruce will be inducted in Canton later this year.

Isaac Bruce will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer as a member of the Class of 2020. After years of waiting and being a four-time finalist for Canton, Bruce was finally selected this year.

As every Hall of Famer does, Bruce announced who will present him at the ceremony in August – assuming it takes place as scheduled. He picked former Rams executive Tony Wylie, who was with the team when Bruce was selected in the second round of the 1994 draft.

Here’s Bruce making the announcement and explaining why he chose Wylie.

So the person I’ve chosen to present me in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is Tony Wylie,” Bruce said. “Tony Wylie is a special dude, he was there the day I got drafted. One of the first persons I met, going back to L.A. and being drafted by the Rams. He’s a person that knows my career from a very intimate standpoint and he’s very knowledgeable of my ups, my downs. He’s been there for every impactful moment I’ve had as far as being a professional football player.”

Wylie joined the Rams in 1994 as the assistant director of public relations, the same year Bruce was drafted. He was with the team through its transition from L.A. to St. Louis before joining the Oilers in 1998.

Bruce has a close relationship with him, so it’s no surprise Wylie was his choice to present him in Canton later this year.

Who are the 29 wide receivers that are Pro Football Hall of Famers?

Isaac Bruce and Harold Carmichael will join 27 wide receivers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Harold Carmichael and Isaac Bruce will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. The former Philadelphia Eagles great and St. Louis Rams star will become the 28th and 29th wide receivers to be honored with a place in Canton, OH. The Hall site draws a distinction, interestingly, between wide receivers and ends. There were seven “ends,” who played prior to 1945, that wound up in Canton.

Lance Alworth

 Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

In 11 pro seasons, Alworth caught 542 passes for 10,266 yards and 85 touchdowns. During his nine seasons with the Chargers, “Bambi” averaged more than 50 catches and 1,000 yards per season. He was named All-AFL from 1963-69 and played in the league’s last seven All-Star games. He caught at least one pass in every AFL game he played, including a then-record 96 straight regular-season games.

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