There were not many like Merlin Olsen, and now there is one less.
A great player out of Utah State, and by the way one of the few guys who can claim to have played a bowl game in New York City (the Gotham Bowl, which was short lived and is even less remembered), Merlin Olsen played 15 seasons for the Los Angeles Rams and made the Pro Bowl in 14 of those years.
In 15 seasons, how many games do you think he missed?
Two. The word “great” is often overused, but never when it has been applied to him.
His brother Phil played for the Denver Broncos and my heart goes out to Phil and to the entire Olsen family.
For many years Merlin Olsen was the color man alongside Dick Enberg for Broncos nationally televised games on NBC, and there truly could not be two finer gentlemen sitting next to each other doing a game. Long before Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth or Phil Simms, Olsen was the color voice for a generation of Broncos fans.
I got to know him fairly well over those NBC football years, and he was never, ever less than a perfect gentleman in every way.
A genuine gentle giant on the field, off the field his gracious personality closely resembled the one he had as his TV personal in the televisions show “Father Murphy,” in which he starred.
During all those years playing for the Rams and with a television and acting career that followed, Merlin early on established residency in Los Angeles and never left the area.
For many years he lived in one of those picture perfect, idyllic tree-lined areas in Pasadena, truly a slice of upscale American that was hard to match.
I would always give him a call when the Broncos visited LA to play the Raiders, even if he was not doing our game that week, and he always found time to talk, never acting that the Hall of Fame player or famous actor and TV pitchman that he was, but just as a regular guy, with a regular family, telling me about his kids and asking about mine.
Merlin Olsen was unequivocally one of the most elegant gentlemen with whom I have had the pleasure of working in my career, and he will be missed by all.
***********************************
Here is a statement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the passing of Olsen.
“Merlin Olsen was an extraordinary person, friend and football player. He was a tremendous Hall of Fame football player who then became an accomplished football broadcaster and actor. In recent years, it was an honor to work with Merlin on developing improvements for retired players. We all experienced how passionate and effective he was on that issue. He cared deeply about people, especially those that shared the game of football with him. Merlin was a larger-than-life person, literally and figuratively, and leaves an enormously positive legacy. On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our deepest sympathy to Merlin’s wife Susan and the Olsen family.”
Tags: Dick Enberg, Merlin Olsen
amen, Beast
Thanks everbody! He is a beautiful boy…
This McD thing…Hes the common factor, like TRB pointed out. Of course he is the coach and the buck stops with him, concerning player matters. We get it McD.
Quinn- why did he drop almost out of the first round? And now he is penciled as the savior?
I dont even know what else I can say. Other than I dont enjoy dissing McD. As such a diehard fan-after all these years, I have never seen anything like this.”Its like I feel helpless, watching a horrible accident in progress”. It is what it is…..
Kyle shanahan knows his offense. Houston always had a competitive offense. Don’t see the redskins becoming the broncs. Shanny hasn’t made any moves to show that. Brought in weigmann but didn’t sign him. Houston has alot of orange and blue in them.
As far as giving mcd a chance that was last years talk. Nothing has changed as far as his attitude and personality clashing. Wasn’t just Nolan. Was turner and dennison too. One player or coach is one thing. 5 or more is a pattern
hate losing hillis
Some fans have problems with McD calling B-Marsh out on TV… Well I thought it was great!! Really Great!!! I wanted to call Marsh out myself and would have felt let down by Josh if he wouldn’t have called him out. It was BS that Marsh held himself out of the last game and I was glad to know Josh felt the same. He spoke with truth and emotion at the podium that moment. what is wrong with that? I want a coach that tells it like it is.
This is a public sport with a public fanbase that deserves to know that the coach thinks “the beast player on the team” is faking it. I want to know because I love this team. Marhsall and McDaniels were living by their hartstrings last year and letting it all hang out.
As far as Josh saying he likes Simms and wants to help him get better and Later finding a better QB is all just the buisness of the NFL. Josh laid it out plain and clear at the beginning that any position on the team will be adjusted at any time he finds an area of improvement. Once again he is telling the truth… thats the truth, he will replace any player at any time he finds a better player. it’s the TRUTH.
Cutler “couldn’t handle the truth”, he ran away and cried when he found out that he had to earn his job every day and nothing was given. Lots of people cant handle the truth.
I’m pretty sure that Josh is not trying to lie or decieve anyone except when it comes to benifiting the Broncos. If anything he has been too honest….
What? YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH???
I don`t see us going after a QB in the draft.
If we remember that entire stadium was booing in the first quarter against the chiefs. Were they booing orton? Booing Marshall and scheff? Booing the defense, offense? My money is on that stadium booing mcd. He’s our coach at the end of the day but he needs to learn how to manage player personalities, not just calling xs and os.
We are to work out matt tennant out of BC. 6’5 300lbs
That’s a freak monster!
Quin?!~!!, AARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! What are we going to do with two sucky quarterbacks? I guess if you are going to pay a sucky qb to sit the bench, I’d rather pay 700,000 and not 2.54 million. Still think Hillis is a beast. Would have been a real asset if he played more. All because he fumbled a couple kickoffs?! Who puts a fullback in to receive fickoffs?
LOL forgot to put that he is a center.
Goosfraba
He is only 15 lbs heavier than Wiegman but on a 6’5″ frame it’s kind of lanky, maybe they think he can gain a little, anyhow looking at centers is like a major must, thanks for the info florio.
Np, im trying to find some film of him now.
He looks like pure muscle, he over powers everyone he lines up with, he looks like a tackle tho.
Yeah, it’s definitely the build of a tackle, but interesting enough his job 1 is center and he also plays guard, go figure…
He could be a great pick up in the late 2nd or early 3rd.
i would have to say that my fav thing about quinn is his work ethic. in denver for only couple of hours but was still at workouts on monday
o wow wasndt looking at later posts yeah we should get bosten college center in 3rd im thinking. another guy i would like mcd to look at is john jerrry guard weighs like 330 this isn’t for sure information but yeah i like the kid
i just saw the pic…its a Notre Dame renunion: Quinn, Harris, and the “Brute” Bruton…..
we seem to be going in the right direction…could be a mirror image of last year’s FA acquisitions..great additions (Hill,Dawk, Goody)
draft order will be ILB(1 or 2) then O-Line(2 or 1) then powerback(3), then D-line, CB, WR, IMO….lol..think i’m overconfident..
Matt Tennants college profile has him listed at 6’4″ 291 lbs. He must have grown for the NFL combine which has him listed at 6’5′ 300 lbs.
Maurkice Pouncey listed at 6’5″ 318 lbs.
Erik Cook listed at 6’6″ 318 lbs.
Eric Olsen Center from Notre Dame…6’5″ 305 lbs. Olsen is also a strong prospect to join our Team this year.
SO:
I just read an articalon ESPN by Bill Williamson, the AFC WEST beat writer.
he is reporting tha quinn wants to start based on his comments on the conference call. i didnt think anything quinn said implied he wanted to start, but ya i would want to start…but still…what do u guys think…
I hope every player on the Broncos roster wants to start. If they are happy not being a starter, I dont want them on the team
Jesus everyone is hating on josh now but if i can remember right everyone said we made the right choice at 6-0 so im not ready to say mcd is a terrible coach, sure he may say things but when a player is released or picked up or traded its not only mcd its also the general manager and mr. bowlen. So it can make him look bad but i’d rather we get brady quinn then pay big bucks for a guy that could be a bust and quinn has three years expirence and knows the system, he either has a really solid back up or a potential starter for a 6th round pick and a player who didnt fit the system. They do need to pay marshall though lol Mr. bowlen get out the check book and pay the man he only could be the best reciever denver has ever had and puts it all out on the field sundays.
Sure Quinn wants to start,why wouldn’t he,every QB in the NFL should wanna start.
Did anybody see the Guns on Quinn,I bet he’s got the biggest arms of any QB in the NFL,don’t mean anything though,just saying.
B4life
I wouldnt call it McD bashing…I just call it not ignoring what is right in front of us. He has an uncanny ability of looking like an ass…just like Marshall has the uncanny ability of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. But yea, the underlying message i got from your post is Pay Marshall…And I agree…
Derrick/Champ24
I second what u said Derrick. If u are just happy sucking up money and sitting on the bench…I dont want u on my team (altho i would trade my day job to get payed a mil to sit on the bench for a couple of years lol)….All i got from quinn was that He sees nothing wrong with healthy competition, he had to do it in cleveland…and he is ready to do it here…And while he believes that, he also understands that McD makes the decision…what more can u ask for. I hope he wants to be a start…and I hope he flourishes here and becomes an amazing starting QB for us…The sooner the better. As far as I am concerned…he was just drafted by the broncos because his tenure in cleveland was a complete joke….Ill give him the benefit of the doubt that he is not a bust and wants this bad. Hunger is a good thing……
BFE
In the most heterosexual way possible, yea, the man is well built for a QB…He is possibly the closest i have seen to a well defined QB, but he has a rigurous work out plan or so i hear. when i put in brady quinn in google when i heard about the trade, one of the thing that came up was Brady Quinns workout plan in Mens Health. Like many have said, he is more athletic than Orton. That plus his POSSIBLE upside, makes him the fan favorite here in Denver when it comes to who we would rather see as our starting QB…But he has to earn it
Broncos20
Good Eye, I completely missed that, that was definitely Ryan Harris and David Bruton standing next to him in the New story picture when u click on it. Guess he has fellow “Irish” here, (i think thats what ND is called lol I suck at college football)…Harris protected him in college and now may possibly protect him in the NFL….
Rod Woodson on the NFL network just got done letting the world know exactly how he feels about McD’s moves and intentions this off season. Glad someone else thinks letting M. Nolan go was an awful decision. Forgot to mention possibly trading away all our playmakers didn’t sound like a good idea to him either. Woe is me….
sorry for all the posts,
One more thing, I think Quinn could start this year for 2 simple reasons, he is familiar with the system, and i believe any QB worth his salt can do what Orton did last year.(simms doesnt count lol)…I mean seriously, how many times did we watch the game with our eyes, think Orton stunk, then took a look at the stats and they looked good? Alot. Its the system, the dink and dunk, high percentage, hig accuracy low risk system…..Just study up and listen to McD. I think that Quinn can do that, while doing something Orton couldnt, be mobile and improvise when it is needed…..Shanny had a system for effective RBs and I think McD has one for effective QBs if they have some natural skill and put in the effort…(effort is always required)
ps: this is not Orton Bashing….
TRB
I think he knows he has to earn it,not getting much of a chance in Cleveland,I think he is willing to give it his best shot here,somebody said we don’t need a QB controversy in Denver,bologna,I think we do,it will make all 3 QB’s play harder.IMO
other than Cutler, who was a playmaker and the cause of many bad plays, what other playmaker has McD traded away?
Imready,
I saw that too and agreed; and if anyone didnt question where McDs head was, I would call them sheep (just blind followers)….no offense to anyone lol
Humm. Can we believe anything McD says? Hillis is in the plan–(gone)! He looks forward to next year with Orton? I knew this would get interesting. I think McD is on a three year rebuilding job and hoping we are ahead of schedule in 2010. More surprises- good and bad or coming. Just me.
FTR
Derrick
Cutler is one, and imready said, “possibly” trading away = Marshall and also sheffler who is a prety solid recieving TE (needs to work on his blockign and overall toughness…..Hillis who he didnt fully utilize (well at least we got a possible future by trading hillis, no fret over here), Royal who wasnt well utilized….once again, just pointing out things that are there, not bashing. If he does good, kudos, if he does bad he will hear about it. Heck I am Brandon Marshall fateful number 1 and was pissed off at how he acted last year at practice (also found it a bit funny lol)….Just my opinion
u guys crack me up. u actually think if a coach says something one day and a better offer comes along later, tghey should stick with the original statement. Its the business of sports. you are always trying to improve your team. that doesnt make him a liar or a bad people person. that makes him a bvusiness man who is doing whatever he can to make his team better. plus, not all these decisions are strictly his. did we all forget that there is also a GM and an owner in the mix
Cutler is the one and the only. You cant jump all over McD for things that havent happenned. If Marshall isnt signed, thats not McD’s fault. Thats between Bowlen and Marsh. But everyone wants to blame McD. Also Hillis wasnt a playmaker. Good, tough fullback but not a playmaker. Scheffler, a good TE but not a playmaker. If you can trade away these players to get playmakers, like Quinn, why wouldnt you do it?
Derrick
its all good. we will agree to disagree, and actually we are not even disagreeing on that much. like i said no fret over hillis, and imready said trying to trade…never siad he had done it yet…the attempt is all that counts sometimes for people ask questions. either way, its not worth an argument. but ill call it as i see it, and im sure u will do the same. deuces.
TRB, u r exactly right. McD, Bowlen, X-man and the players are gonna do what they gonna do. Its good that we are passionate about our team,tho. No wonder we have been called some of the best fans in sports. But one thing we can definitely agree on, is we are tired of not making the playoffs and hope whatever the team does, it ends up in some Superbowl victories for us.
Your kidding yourself if you think it’s bowlen and xanders. Both those men were here BEFORE mcd. And not once were playmakers being benched traded cut or cheaped out. Bowlen has been quoted as saying it’s not up to him with Marshall. Maybe that’s his “short term memory loss”
all decisions are mcds. Just like all decisions were shanahans. Who fired the goodmans for xanders?
I disagree about hillis. Wasn’t he 2nd on the team in tds in 2008? That’s playmaking. The problem was he was treated as a fb. But he proved to perform at running back, and holmgreen/mangini will prove it. No place for a fb on a spread offense. Never been a fan of the spread. College plays. I would take bill walsh’s playbook over anyone in the league. He was a mastermind and is the most influential hc minds ever
Amen Derrick and You too DrunkenBronc cuz I hear ya, and share your opinions on the topic u just talked about.
GO BRONCOS TWENTY-TEN
Right on royal. At the end of the day we all bleed orange and blue. Watching fast times at ridgemont high. We need a jefferson on our defense! Maybe if we trash dj or haggans ride and spraypaint the opposing teams logo on it they would go nuts on the field too lol
We should just give up our 3rd rounder and get morrison. He is proven and better than mcClain IMO.
I think the giants will offer him alot of Money. More than the 3rd round tender. Davis would match our offer just out of spite.
Does Al davis know who we are? We can do a quick deal while he is napping in his coffin.
I don’t think they are called naps for al Davis anymore. They are more like slips of unconcious.
florio, I totally agree. we need to do whatever we have to to get Morrison. I think adding him would make us not a good defense but a great and dominating defense.
quinn should start this year because he is familiar with this systemand that i just like quinn bettetr hehe
LMAO @ florio’s_mom