Ex-Ram receiver Bruce signs 2-year deal

<p>SANTA CLARA -- Receiver Isaac Bruce beat them, and now he's joining them.</p><p>Bruce, who spent a good portion of his 14-year career with the St. Louis Rams picking on overmatched 49ers defensive backs, agreed to terms Friday on a two-year, $6 million contract with the 49ers.</p><p>The signing of Bruce was the highlight of an active first full day of free agency for the 49ers, who remain a strong contender to sign Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Justin Smith.</p><p>In fact, the 49ers went to grand measures in hopes of convincing Smith he does not have to board a scheduled flight to visit the Minnesota Vikings this morning.</p><p>Coach Mike Nolan accompanied Smith on a helicopter tour of the South Bay on Friday. It was a way to show Smith, a Midwesterner, the landscape of the Bay Area. The 49ers wanted to dispel the notion this is a sprawling metropolitan area. The tour showed Smith the area's proximity to city life, farmland, lakes, mountains and beaches.</p><p>Perhaps, it might not have hurt that it was a gorgeous, 72-degree day for a helicopter ride, either. Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, the high was 30 degrees.</p><p>The 49ers also reached contract terms with running back DeShaun Foster, linebacker Dontarrious Thomas and quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan, according to various sources. The 49ers announced the official signing of return specialist Allen Rossum.</p><p>Foster, 28, whom the Carolina Panthers cut last week, averaged 884 yards rushing the past three seasons. He will serve as Frank Gore's backup. Foster was the Panthers' second-round pick in 2002 from UCLA.</p><p>Thomas, 27, is slated to take over for Derek Smith at an inside linebacker position after serving mostly as a backup in his four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. The 49ers released Smith, a starter with the team for the past seven seasons, on Feb. 19.</p><p>O'Sullivan spent last season as the Detroit Lions' backup quarterback under offensive coordinator Mike Martz. He is the only quarterback on the roster familiar with Martz's system. Initially, he will be the third-stringer behind quarterbacks Alex Smith and Shaun Hill.</p><p>Martz's influence also figured into the 49ers' pursuit of Bruce, whom the Rams released Thursday in a salary-cap move. The 49ers hired Martz in January as the club's sixth offensive coordinator in six years.</p><p>Bruce, 35, flourished in Martz's system and played a major role in the "Greatest Show on Turf" -- the tag given to the Rams' explosive offense.</p><p>Bruce ranks No. 3 in NFL history in receiving yards, behind only Jerry Rice and Tim Brown. Bruce has 14,109 receiving yards. Some of his best games have come against the 49ers through the years. In 26 career games against the 49ers, Bruce recorded 128 catches for 1,925 yards and 10 touchdowns.</p><p>He caught 55 passes for 733 yards (13.3 average) and four touchdowns in 12 starts last season. Bruce's best game came in a Week 2 loss to the 49ers when he caught eight passes for 145 yards.</p><p>Bruce could land in the starting lineup with the 49ers, whose top wideouts are Arnaz Battle, Darrell Jackson, Ashley Lelie and Jason Hill.</p><p>The 49ers are prepared to lose several of their own free agents with the arrival of some fresh faces. The additions of Foster and Rossum appear to signal the end for running back Maurice Hicks, an unrestricted free agent after four seasons with the 49ers.</p><p>Veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer will not return to the 49ers after the club signed O'Sullivan. The club expects Dilfer, a 14-year veteran, to retire after missing the final 3½ games with a concussion.</p><p>The 49ers will not join the bidding for free-agent tackle Kwame Harris, who visited the Raiders on Friday. Harris is expected to command a big contract, as several other teams have gotten in on the action.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.</p>