Just don't ask Bruce to toot his own horn - or talk about anything at all, really.

Bruce has never been known for being chatty with the media or fans during his prolific career. But he seems to be striving for a subterranean public profile in his first season with the Niners. The club isn't getting much public relations return on his $6 million contract, but that'll be fine as long as the 15-year NFL veteran keeps catching passes the way he did last Sunday.

"I speak when I have something to say," Bruce said Wednesday during a terribly awkward, 7-minute interview while he sat facing his locker.

When asked about his charitable deeds, Bruce could barely be bothered to discuss his foundation or its mission, saying only that he hopes to "strengthen the hand of the community."

How's his relationship with quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan? "Making progress."

So what do you like most about dealing with the media? "Conversation."

Call him Isaac Brusque, but don't underestimate his importance to the 49ers' hopes of reviving the NFL's worst offense and even ending their string of five consecutive losing seasons. He certainly had a hand in San Francisco's first victory, catching four passes for 153 yards in last Sunday's 33-30 overtime win at Seattle. But he didn't stick around the locker room afterward, leaving his teammates to praise him.

"Isaac is as much of a team player as anybody I have ever been around," coach Mike Nolan said. "He is not a stats guy."

Perhaps that's because Bruce already has the stats to pretty much guarantee a trip to Canton. He's third in NFL history with 14,262 yards receiving, needing 673 more to pass Tim Brown for second place, and sixth with 946 receptions, just five behind Andre Reed.

Bruce was held without a catch for just the seventh time in his NFL career in the 49ers' season-opening loss to Arizona. He rebounded against Seattle with the highest single-game average yards per reception by any receiver in 49ers history, including Jerry Rice.

His four catches against Seattle included a 63-yard catch-and-run in the second quarter and a 33-yard reception in overtime. His effortless separation and soft hands made Bruce look just like the lanky, smooth receiver who tormented defenses for most of the last 14 years with the Rams, including his years as the chief acrobat in the Greatest Show on Turf.

Offensive coordinator Mike Martz, the venerated orchestrator of that Rams scheme, was instrumental in attracting Bruce to San Francisco. It's obvious Martz didn't prize Bruce's communication skills, but instead figured the receiver still could be a contributor to the offense.

Young 49ers receivers Josh Morgan and Jason Hill say Bruce isn't a particularly vocal leader, but that's by design, Bruce claims.

"The biggest way I learned was just watching guys I wanted to be like," Bruce said. "And I didn't have to ask them too many things. I just did what they did."

At 35, Bruce is far from finished. Most of the NFL's best receivers played into their late 30s, and Bruce seems determined to follow them - probably without saying much along the way.

"I'm not big on comparisons, but I feel better, stronger, quicker, wiser," Bruce said. "And, uh, I'm not big on feelings, either."