The Rams and 49ers were playing an exhibition game at the L.A. Coliseum one year when a fight broke out near the 49ers' bench.

"I turn around and I start forward," former 49ers guard Howard Mudd said Thursday, "and there is 'Oly' standing there."

"Oly" was Merlin Olsen, the Rams' huge defensive tackle, one of the first truly athletic big men in the NFL. Olsen stood 6-foot-5 and weighed 270 pounds in an era before players loaded up on dietary supplements or lifted weights as seriously.

"I looked at him and he looked at me," Mudd recalled, "and he said, 'You want to just stand here and watch it?' "

Olsen, who died from cancer Wednesday at age 69, proved great players could be nice guys, too. He was a 14-time Pro Bowl choice and member of the Fearsome Foursome line featuring Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier.

"He belonged in the Hall of Fame not because he went to 14 Pro Bowls, but because he was a great player and could affect a game that he played in," Mudd said. "If you didn't take care of him, he was going to make big plays on you and change your offense. That is what a Hall of Famer should be."

While some players cast football as warfare for the sake of gaining a psychological edge, Olsen could disarm an opponent with his politeness. Mudd recalled knocking down Olsen once with a peel-back block, then bracing for trouble when Olsen ran toward him after the play.

"I'm laying on the ground and this big guy runs right at me, puts his hand on my head and says, 'Nice block,' " Mudd said. "I thought he was going to kick my ass or something."

Olsen played from 1962 to 1976 and earned 14 consecutive Pro Bowl berths. He reached another generation of football fans through his work as Dick Enberg's broadcast partner during NBC's coverage of the AFC during the 1980s. Olsen also played Jonathan Garvey on Little House on the Prairie, which ran opposite "Monday Night Football" during the late 1970s.

News of Olsen's passing was only beginning to spread Thursday. I reached out to Mudd, who said he had been thinking of Olsen lately and had wondered what had become of him.

"I pictured him as this devout Mormon guy who had ridden off into the sunset and found a nice place and a great life," Mudd said.

Falling

Shaun Hill, 49ers QB

The 49ers' former starting quarterback became their former No. 2 quarterback when the team signed David Carr to a two-year deal. Hill can point to a 10-6 starting record and support from the 49ers' locker room. Usually reserved Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis even criticized the 49ers' interest in Carr via Twitter (later apologizing). Of all the 49ers' quarterbacks in recent seasons, Hill was the only one with a winning record and the only one to demonstrate clear leadership skills. Hill can't measure up physically to Carr or starter Alex Smith, and there was a sense he had peaked during the 2008 season. Hill went only 3-3 as the starter last season (Smith went 5-5). His salary is $1.5 million in 2010 and the 49ers appear positioned to part with him.

Rising

Steve Breaston, Cardinals WR

Arizona's decision to trade receiver Anquan Boldin moves Breaston into a starting role. The Cardinals acknowledged as much by tendering Breaston to a first-round choice as a restricted free agent. Breaston played nearly 65 percent of the Cardinals' offensive snaps last season. That figure should rise as the Cardinals move on without Boldin. Breaston provides needed speed to the Cardinals' offense. He should also be healthier this season after fighting through a knee injury last season. Breaston should have little trouble increasing his receptions total from 55 last season closer to the career-high 77 he caught in 2008, even without Kurt Warner at quarterback.

In some sad off the field news, one of the all time great D-tackles has passed away, as former Rams DT Merlin Olsen has passed away at the age of 69. Pro Football Talk reports:

Merlin Olsen, the Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle who played his entire 15-year career for the Los Angeles Rams, has died at the age of 69, according to reports.

Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reports that Olsen died early this morning. The Cache Valley Daily, a newspaper based in Olsen’s hometown of Logan, Utah, reports that Olsen was diagnosed with mesothelioma and had been undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy.

Olsen played college football at Utah State, and as a senior in 1961 he won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best lineman.

Falling

Darren Sharper. The New Orleans safety is finding out the hard way what it’s like to be 34-years-old. Despite a huge season, he doesn’t seem to be drawing a lot of attention in free agency. He also has made some comments about the Saints not showing him enough “love" (money) in their talks about bringing him back. Both sides say they want Sharper to return to New Orleans, but it’s only going to come at a price the Saints think is reasonable. They’ve got Malcolm Jenkins, last year’s first-round pick, sitting around. He spent his rookie year at cornerback, but the Saints are set there. Jenkins has the size and skills to play safety and the Saints have said, since the day he was drafted, that he eventually could end up at safety. That time might be coming sooner than we thought.

Rising

Atlanta’s defense. Look around the NFC South and ask yourself how many teams truly have gotten better in the first week of free agency. Forget your allegiances and be honest. The only answer is the Falcons. Although the Saints, Panthers and Buccaneers may end up improving themselves, all they’ve done so far is lose their own free agents and cut some prominent players. The Falcons are the only team that, right now, is better than they were at the end of the season. That’s largely because they went out and spent a fortune on cornerback Dunta Robinson and also re-signed cornerback Brian Williams, who was hurt -- and sorely missed -- the second half of last season. That suddenly solidifies the cornerback spot, which was a major problem area. The Falcons also have last year’s top two picks, defensive tackle Peria Jerry and safety William Moore, coming back from injuries. Throw all those guys on the field and add a defensive end somewhere in the draft and Atlanta suddenly looks like a strong playoff contender.

Falling

Chris White, RG, Texans: White played eight games as the starting right tackle for Houston last season as the Texans tried to recover from the early loss of their two starting guards. The Texans gave up 25 sacks of Matt Schaub and had major trouble running the ball, and upgrading the interior line has been a priority. Thus the arrival of free-agent guard Wade Smith, who’s getting $3 million a year for four years in a new free-agent deal. One would expect that cash is intended to go into the pocket of a starter. However it sorts out, White will be moving down the depth chart.

Rising

Aaron Kampman, DE, Jaguars: After a tough year with Green Bay’s switch to a 3-4 and a blown-out knee, Kampman still qualified as an attractive pass-rusher. In Jacksonville, he landed with a team desperate for both sacks and defensive leadership. He’s got a prime chance to re-establish himself and make a real impact for a team that had major pass-rush deficiencies last year, and he was alluring enough that a fiscally conservative team dished out $11 million guaranteed to secure his services. He’s a guy who can have a ripple effect on effort and work ethic.

Falling

Veteran lead rusher in San Diego: It is becoming apparent that San Diego is leaning toward putting its primary tailback duties in the hands of a rookie. The Chargers have not made a move on a veteran back. Yes, it is a weak free-agent class, but the Chargers aren’t forcing the issue. They have stayed away from the likes of Chester Taylor and Thomas Jones. Things can change, and you never know if a veteran will become available. But it seems as if the Chargers are excited about the rookie tailback class and what it offers. The class is deep and the Chargers should get a solid player in ether the first or second round to pair with change-of-pace back Darren Sproles, if he doesn’t get a huge offer in restricted free agency.

Rising

Chambers’ value: Last November, former Pro Bowl receiver Chris Chambers was on the scrapheap. It seemed like his days as a relevant receiver were over. San Diego dumped him during the season after his play slipped. But that seems like a long time ago. This week, Kansas City signed Chambers to a three-year deal that could net him up to $15 million. Chambers deserved his reversal of fortune. He was terrific for the Chiefs in nine games after he was claimed off waivers from San Diego. He was a game-breaker and he was a favorite target of Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel. He was a free-agent priority for the Chiefs and his signing shows he very much has an NFL future.

Falling

Redskins defensive end Andre Carter: Yes, we're bringing back this wildly popular entry for a couple of months. And honestly, I think it's too early to suggest that any of the four NFC teams are in the "falling" category. The Cowboys are certainly the quietest team in free agency, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. But in the interest of participation, let's put Carter in the "falling" section. I've said from the start that he's not a good fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 and now there's speculation he could lose his starting job. Carter's been a highly productive player in the league, but he's looked awkward in the past when asked to stand up in the 3-4. Greg Ellis went through this in Dallas under Bill Parcells, but he eventually became a productive outside linebacker. We'll see how things turn out for Carter.

Rising

Philadelphia Eagles: This is a team that is desperately trying to close the gap with the Cowboys. I like that general manager Howie Roseman has locked up talented players such as Leonard Weaver and Jason Avant. And signing former Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson is a good risk to take. Yes, he's had two torn ACLs (one on each knee). But the Eagles reportedly kept the guaranteed money low enough that they won't feel burned if he struggles. If the 26-year-old returns to form, he could start at free safety for the next three or four years. The Eagles also restructured guard Stacy Andrews' contract. I bumped into offensive line coach Juan Castillo in Indianapolis and he truly believes Andrews will come back strong in 2010 after being hampered by a knee injury.

Welcome back to the Stock Watch. That's how I see it.

Falling

Terrell Owens, free-agent receiver: Any takers? Not yet. The Bills sent out a press release a week before the free-agency period began to announce they wouldn't offer Owens another contract. A week into free agency, he hasn't found employment. Owens has made one visit. The Bengals hosted him and so far have passed. The reason he signed with the starry-eyed Bills last year is because they were the only team that wanted him. Maybe a team desperate for a receiver will bring him aboard eventually, but for a future Hall of Famer to dangle this long is a sign his career is just about over.

Rising

Mike Tannenbaum, Jets general manager: The Jets were supposed to be shackled by the "Final Eight" rules in the uncapped year. That, however, pertained only to unrestricted free agency and couldn't stop Tannenbaum from making one of the splashiest acquisitions of the offseason by trading a 2011 draft pick to San Diego for cornerback Antonio Cromartie. The faded 2007 All-Pro could be a perfect fit in Rex Ryan's defense opposite reigning All-Pro Darrelle Revis. Tannenbaum also traded safety Kerry Rhodes for draft picks and made tough but sensible decisions to cut running back Thomas Jones and cornerback Lito Sheppard.

Falling

Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns quarterback: A year ago, Quinn was the favorite to become Cleveland's starting quarterback. Now it appears Quinn's chances to lead the Browns are diminishing. Cleveland reportedly is shopping Quinn and looking around at several other options. Veteran free-agent quarterback Jake Delhomme is visiting with the Browns Thursday, for example. Considering the poor quarterback play around the league, there should be some interest in Quinn. But there is no chance of the Browns getting the same value it took to bring the former first-round pick to Cleveland.

Rising

Anquan Boldin, Baltimore Ravens receiver: Boldin is happy with finally securing a new four-year contract, and the Ravens are happy to finally secure a top-flight receiver. It's a win-win for both parties. The three-time Pro Bowl receiver comes to Baltimore with expectations of taking the Ravens' passing game to another level. But he won't be alone. With the addition of Boldin to go with players such as Joe Flacco, Derrick Mason, Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, Todd Heap, Mark Clayton and Donte' Stallworth, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has a lot of options. Watch out for Boldin and Baltimore's offense next season.

Falling

Bryant McKinnie, Minnesota left tackle. Julius Peppers' arrival in the NFC North is another hit in a tough offseason for McKinnie. In a nationally televised matchup last December, Peppers dominated McKinnie so thoroughly that the Vikings eventually benched him. In that game, Peppers notched one sack, had three quarterback hits and also batted down a pass. As Chicago's top free-agent pickup, Peppers will now face the Vikings -- and potentially McKinnie -- twice a season. Peppers has played on both the right and left side of the defensive line in his career, but the Bears are sure to be tempted to match him up on McKinnie when the teams play in 2010.

Rising

Gunther Cunningham, Detroit defensive coordinator. Good players make for good coaches. So you can expect Cunningham to be a better coordinator in 2010 after an overhaul of the defensive line that might not be done yet. The Lions already are better at two positions, with Kyle Vanden Bosch taking over for defensive end Dewayne White and Corey Williams succeeding nose tackle Grady Jackson. If the Lions draft a defensive tackle No. 2 overall, they will have pulled together a more-than-competitive defensive front that will create more havoc in the backfield and get more heat on the quarterback. The first place to address any woebegone defense is up front, and Cunningham will be the beneficiary in 2010.