Former Colts, Dolphins QB Earl Morrall dies at 79

Earl Morrall (left) and Don Shula in February 2013. (USATSI) More NFL offseason: Mock Drafts | Prospect Rankings | Pro days | Top free agents

Earl Morrall, who played quarterback for 21 NFL seasons from 1956 to 1976, died Friday morning, according to the Naples News Daily. He was 79.

Hall of Famer Don Shula was Morrall's coach in Baltimore and later Miami, including the 1972 season when Morrall took over for an injured Bob Griese and led the undefeated Dolphins to the playoffs. Griese returned in the AFC Championship and the team would beat the Redskins in the Super Bowl. Still, Morrall was named AFC Player of the Year, as well as the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

"He's been in a struggle with his health for a while now," Ryan Richeal, who worked in marketing with the Dolphins from 2003-2009, and helped run Morrall's charity golf tournament, said via the Daily. "Everybody has been trying to prepare for this. When you have somebody like Earl Morrall who's a legend on and off the field, it's still very difficult in the end."

Morrall won three Super Bowls -- one with the Colts and two with the Dolphins -- and finished his career with 20,809 passing yards, 161 touchdowns and 148 interceptions.

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Dolphins WR Mike Wallace excited for new, big-play offense



Bill Lazor has replaced Mike Sherman as the Dolphins' offensive coordinator this year, and one of the differences between their systems appears to be that Lazor's stresses more down-the-field throws.When wide receiver Mike Wallace was asked Tuesday to describe the style of Lazor's offense, he said, "My style: big-play offense. I see Ryan [Tannehill] is excited about it. He's called me eight, nine times."



Head coach Joe Philbin has downplayed how different this year's offense will be from last year's, but Tannehill also mentioned that deep throws will be more prevalent. That's nice. Now the young quarterback and rich wideout have to connect on a higher percentage of those throws. That was a major issue last year; we'll see if they have better chemistry in 2014.The Dolphins giving Wallace more chances this season to make big chunk plays is good news for his fantasy value, but I'd still draft him as just a WR3 because I can't trust Tannehill yet to complete enough of those chances to make it matter.