Player Spotlight: Isaac Bruce (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2008 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. Last year, we published more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters. This year will be no different.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Isaac Bruce, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Player Page Link: Isaac Bruce Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Bruce over the past 3 seasons including his injuries and time in and out of the line up he has avg 750 yds and 3 TD...

People are wanting Bruce ot be the WR1 in SF and I think age has to be factored in. I don't think he can stay 100% healthy all year and play every down which he would need to hit some of the numbers that people have been projecting for him. Last year he was also almost a full 2 yds under his career avg of 15 ypc...

50/650/3 TD...to project a lot higher IMO is risky. Could he have another 1,000+ season like he did in 2006? Possibly but he will be hampered by QB play. He does know the mArtz offense but at his age and the fact he is much slower than he used to be...we could see him hit the wall quickly.

50/650/3 TD

 

[jurb26]

Bruce is a player in the twilight of his career, who's physical skills are diminishing, injuries are compounding and who's new team is borderline putrid at passing the ball. Not too mention the log jam that seems to be present for PT in SF at WR. None of this bodes well for his fantasy numbers in 2008 if you ask me.

45 receptions, 580 yds, 2 TDs

 

[Jeff Tefertiller]

I do like Bruce as a great bench WR this year, especially in PPR leagues. I project 55-60 receptions, 800-900 yards (averaging 14.5-15 ypr), and 3 or 4 TDs. Bryant Johnson is only signed to a one year deal. Jason Hill and Lelie are not competition for catches. Battle is a decent slot receiver. Also, let's remember that Bruce is miles ahead of the other pass catchers with his prior knowledge of the Martz system.

 

[The Man with the Plan]

He's probably the best wide receiver on the team. Unfortunately the team's the 49ers and they suck. He had over 700 yards last season in just about 12 games. Since he's going to the Niners he'll probably get around that much in 16 games.

60/780/5

Okay #3 receiver I guess but nothing special.

 

[MAC_32]

I think he was brought in to mentor the future SE in San Fran, Jason Hill. Bruce may be a good early season option, but I see his PT decreasing as the season goes on, if he even stays healthy.

 

[Jon_Moore]

I think he was brought in to mentor the future SE in San Fran, Jason Hill. Bruce may be a good early season option, but I see his PT decreasing as the season goes on, if he even stays healthy.

Seattle saw a major turnover this year, Arizona isn't close to competing IMO. SF has a quickly improving defense and could compete for the division, and Bruce should see playing time until the end this year IMO. Alex Smith just doesn't seem like he'll ever be good, Shaun hill is average at best...and most of the offense is going to go through Frank Gore this year.High side for Bruce IMHO.60 receptions840 yards5 tds.I can't see him exceeding this in his situation.

 

[Fighting Noles]

I do like Bruce as a great bench WR this year, especially in PPR leagues. I project 55-60 receptions, 800-900 yards (averaging 14.5-15 ypr), and 3 or 4 TDs. Bryant Johnson is only signed to a one year deal. Jason Hill and Lelie are not competition for catches. Battle is a decent slot receiver. Also, let's remember that Bruce is miles ahead of the other pass catchers with his prior knowledge of the Martz system.

I agree. The KEY is the knowledge of Martz' system IMO & Martz' knowledge of him....I think those projections seem about right (5-6/50-60 per game & HOPE he can stay relatively healthy) if either QB can get him the ball. He seems to run the routes that Smith throws "better" (LOL - shorter ones & I use the word better loosely) & therefore might outcatch Johnson who seems to me to be the "stretch the field" guy. It also depends on how much Martz involves Davis since he hasn't ever had a decent TE IMO & Smith should at least be able to dump the ball off to him often if necessary (along with Gore of course who should definitely see his recs. increase)....

 

[Golden]

I do like Bruce as a great bench WR this year, especially in PPR leagues. I project 55-60 receptions, 800-900 yards (averaging 14.5-15 ypr), and 3 or 4 TDs. Bryant Johnson is only signed to a one year deal. Jason Hill and Lelie are not competition for catches. Battle is a decent slot receiver. Also, let's remember that Bruce is miles ahead of the other pass catchers with his prior knowledge of the Martz system.

Whats wrong with Hill?

 

[Jeff Tefertiller]

I do like Bruce as a great bench WR this year, especially in PPR leagues. I project 55-60 receptions, 800-900 yards (averaging 14.5-15 ypr), and 3 or 4 TDs. Bryant Johnson is only signed to a one year deal. Jason Hill and Lelie are not competition for catches. Battle is a decent slot receiver. Also, let's remember that Bruce is miles ahead of the other pass catchers with his prior knowledge of the Martz system.

Whats wrong with Hill?

He needs to make a ton of strides just to get on the field. In a less complex offense last year, the rookie struggled. He was targeted a whopping 2 times, resulting in a six-yard reception after coming back from injuries. He needs to stay healthy in order to have a hope of playing much.I am not anti-Hill, and like his dynasty potential. He is only 23, and should be improving. I think he is a year away from being a viable receiver for SF. Johnson signed a one-year deal. Bruce is getting older by the minute. In addition, I see the BJohnson signing as a way of saying Hill is a year away. If he was "there", I cannot imagine the team signing Johnson to a one-year contract.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Isaac Bruce is going to miss the good old days of The Greatest Show on Turf because where he's going is a place where passing the football recently is a major problem. Not only has Bruce lost a step, he won't have the timing he once had with Bulger. I don't see much happening here:

500 yards, 40 receptions 2 td's

 

[Cenobite]

I have no clue about Ike or his QB. I would draft him as a WR4 and hope for 60/800/6.

 

[Kitrick Taylor]

I agree with the consensus here that he's not really starting fantasy material anymore. However, if you need someone reliable to stick in for a bye week a few times, you could do worse.

55/750/5

 

[mlball77]

Wow, based on a lot of these comments (as well as FBG staff projections), I feel Bruce could represent solid value in drafts this year.

With Martz serving as OC, I expect the SF offense to put up noticeably better passing yardage figures. And since Bruce is familiar with the system and I don’t feel he has lost all that much of a step yet, I think he is likely to be one of the primary beneficiaries in the short term. I look for Bruce to come out strong with his new team early in 08 and to have a solid season overall.

Recs: 65

Yds: 845

Tds: 4-5

 

[Jon_Moore]

Wow, based on a lot of these comments (as well as FBG staff projections), I feel Bruce could represent solid value in drafts this year.With Martz serving as OC, I expect the SF offense to put up noticeably better passing yardage figures. And since Bruce is familiar with the system and I don’t feel he has lost all that much of a step yet, I think he is likely to be one of the primary beneficiaries in the short term. I look for Bruce to come out strong with his new team early in 08 and to have a solid season overall. Recs: 65Yds: 845Tds: 4-5

Then why project the same as the board?

 

[mlball77]

Wow, based on a lot of these comments (as well as FBG staff projections), I feel Bruce could represent solid value in drafts this year.With Martz serving as OC, I expect the SF offense to put up noticeably better passing yardage figures. And since Bruce is familiar with the system and I don’t feel he has lost all that much of a step yet, I think he is likely to be one of the primary beneficiaries in the short term. I look for Bruce to come out strong with his new team early in 08 and to have a solid season overall. Recs: 65Yds: 845Tds: 4-5

Then why project the same as the board?

???A few posters and the staff have Bruce in the ballpark of 600ish yards. I have him at maybe 30-50% greater than that. Did you look at the FBG staff projections?

 

[jurb26]

Wow, based on a lot of these comments (as well as FBG staff projections), I feel Bruce could represent solid value in drafts this year.With Martz serving as OC, I expect the SF offense to put up noticeably better passing yardage figures. And since Bruce is familiar with the system and I don’t feel he has lost all that much of a step yet, I think he is likely to be one of the primary beneficiaries in the short term. I look for Bruce to come out strong with his new team early in 08 and to have a solid season overall. Recs: 65Yds: 845Tds: 4-5

As a Bruce owner in a league where I really need a quality WR2 to step up, I hope you are right. Still, I think I have a better chance of Manningham producing quality WR2 numbers than Bruce at this point.

 

[podunker]

I'm going to be higher than most. Some of my reasonings are: Kitna never had a year over 3500 yds before Martz, with Martz he had two years over 4000 yds passing. I think A. Smith is better than Kitna skill wise. He may not be the leader, but he is much more talented. If Mike Furrey can get over 1000 yds in year one with Martz, I believe Bruce can also. The same goes for McDonald. I know they have a bad offensive line. Martz will help that by throwing quicker passes. I also think Bruce will have a lot of receptions for this same reason. A 3 or 4 yard pass is what Martz considers running the ball. He will do this a lot. Bruce is being WAY undervalued in redraft leagues. I think he will be an awesome WR3, and good WR2 this season. I know he is older and could get hurt, so can any WR. I'm saying if he plays all 16 games he will have:

1000+ yds

85+ rec.

5+ TD's