Tuesday’s ceremonial trade of wide receiver Isaac Bruce to the St. Louis Rams did net the 49ers compensation, after all.
But not really.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Niners “acquired” a conditional draft pick in 2012. The condition involves Bruce playing in 2010, however, which he will not do. Bruce will announce his retirement on Wednesday.
So why were the teams compelled to trade in the first place?
For one, Bruce was still under contract with San Francisco. More interesting, though, is Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe Democrat‘s suggestion that Bruce might have signed with old pals Lovie Smith and Mike Martz in Chicago had San Francisco released him outright.
As for Bruce’s Hall of Fame prospects, we already know he’s got one vote. Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has confirmed that he’ll be voting for Bruce, perhaps as soon as 2015.
“Yes, I believe Isaac Bruce is a Hall of Famer,” Miklasz tweeted Monday evening. “So many big catches in big games and has the bulk stats. Also: great leader.”