A lot of this offseason Dolphins fans have been talking about one thing. It hasn’t been Mike Wallace, and it hasn’t been how the team will find a way how to protect Ryan Tannehill but the big offseason question has been what will the new Dolphins logo and uniform look like.

There have been several different “leaks “ but apparently the Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero has confirmed that one of those leaks is indeed the confirmed new logo. The Dolphins plan to launch the new logo and uniforms on April 25^th the 1^st day of the NFL draft.

It is also rumored the color scheme will be more of a throwback look similar to the olden days. Some white and blue mixes are rumored to be incorporated into the new jerseys.

I will reserve judgement on my feelings towards the actual logo and uniform until I see the final product however I am not a fan of the way the Dolphins handled this from a marketing and PR stand point. I understand it is just a logo however my feelings are this was handled in too much of a “Dolphins”  way of doing things.

ESPN Social Media Guru Darren Rovell conducted a poll to find out the reaction on the Dolphins logo.

46.8 % : People Don't Care

29.7% : Hate It

23.4% : Love It 

UPDATE : Dolphins CEO Mike Dee has confirmed the leak logo is indeed the Dolphins new logo

Nearly two weeks into free agency, the Miami Dolphins have already addressed two of their most prominent needs however, their work is not yet done. After revamping the recieving core with the additions of Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson as well as upgrading at tight end with the signing of Dustin Keller, the team is still looking to improve the roster. As the draft approaches, the Dolphins hope that their signings in free agency will allow them to select the best player available rather than passing on elite talent to draft for a need.

With the draft only a month away, its clear which positions offer significant depth and which positions are hit or miss. Sitting at 12, the Dolphins will likely not have the opportunity to select one of the top offensive lineman and the replacement for Jake Long. For this reason, it would be wise to eliminate this need in free agency. The Dolphins have brought in several veterans for interviews including RT Eric Winston, RG Brandon Moore, and RG Lance Louis. With the team's desire to keep Jonathan Martin at left tackle protecting the quarterback's blindside, the 29 year old Winston would be a solid option on the right. The Dolphins also prefer to find an upgrade to John Jerry at guard explaining the numerous visits from offensive lineman in the past week. Moore would be an ideal addition as he has played all 16 games in eight straight seasons proving his durability while being ranked the 4th best guard in the league last season.

Another position with very few can't miss prospects in the draft is defensive end. The Dolphins have been searching for a player to compliment Cameron Wake for some time however, there is no pass rusher in the draft who would be a clear value pick at 12th overall. While there aren't many viable options in the draft, the position features several high calibre players in free agency. The Dolphins have inquired about DE's Elvis Dumervil and Osi Umenyiora, two veteran players who would add another dimension to an already stout front seven. Dumervil has an astounding 63.5 sacks in six seasons in the NFL despite not being the typical prototype defensive end. Last year, Dumervil recorded 11 sacks with 6 forced fumbles which would have been second on Miami's defense to only Cam Wake. A duo of Wake and Dumervil or Wake and Umenyiora would provide a serious challenge for even the best offensive lines.

Cornerback also remains a position of need altough it appears the Dolphins plan to double down at the position in the draft considering the remarkable depth in the first three rounds and the team's abundance of picks (11 in total). If the Dolphins are able to sign an offensive lineman or a defensive end in free agency, it will give them the luxury of implementing the most successful draft strategy; selecting the best player on the board. As the draft continues to shape up, it is looking like that player will be play making wide reciever Tavon Austin who is opening eyes around the NFL and as a result, seeing his stock soar.

We were lucky enough to have ESPN’s NFL Business Analyst and former Green Bay Packer Vice President Andrew Brandt answer a few questions for us on the NFL free agency period.

Andrew a salary cap and negotiating expert filled us in on a little contract talk 101.

1)  What type of ways/tricks do teams and players use to make contract look attractive for both player and team to public?

Andrew: Using the total value of the contract, rather than the early money or guaranteed money is often used to get headlines about the deal.  The overall contract number, over five or six years, means very little in practical terms.  It would be relevant in the NBA or MLB but not in the NFL, where there are no fully guaranteed contracts except for the top of the first round. 

2)  What metrics do organizations use to set the market for players?

There are a lot of salary research and comparables to be used, but the real question is where the player is in his contract stream.  If he has remaining year or years left, the team should be entitled to a discount.  If the player is a free agent, then the team may have to pay "retail" or whatever the market will bear.

3)  What are a couple of ways teams can get in trouble trying to play with the cap too much?

This is what I call “short-term gain for long-term pain."  Sometimes restructuring contracts or structuring them with low first-year cap numbers is just pushing off the problem.  Ideally, a team should "pay as you go" with equal Cash and Cap spending, but a team needs to get ahead of the curve, with ample cap room, to do that.

4) Any thoughts on the Mike Wallace contract?

First reports were stunning, but it seems to fall in line -- over a three-year period -- with the marketplace below Johnson/Fitzgerald.  I believe its $36M over three years, the same as Bowe and V. Jackson and similar to Harvin.  Wallace was at the fortunate intersection of being the top WR in the market and a team in need of his special skills.

Once again we would like to thank Andrew for taking the time to talk us. You can follow him on twitter @adbrandt.

After losing Jake Long to the Rams, the Miami Dolphins have re-signed ofensive tackle Nate Garner, as of this morning.  In his three seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Garner has started a total of 4 games this past season, but has played in all 16 games each season since 2009.  Garner is known for his ability to be a utility offensive lineman in that he can spell each offensive line position.  The deal was first reported and hinted by Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post and then confirmed as of this morning by Volin himself who is in Arizona for the NFL Owners Meetings.

The move signals or could signal the permanent movement of tackle Jonathan Martin being switched to the left tackle postion.  Of course, many fans on twitter might disagree with this move, but in reality, the Dolphins might not be done dealing for a left tackle.  What we do know is that Garner spelled Martin when Jake Long was place on IR.  Garner brings depth to the line and continuity of Ireland's clear philosophy of keeping guys that coach Joe Philbin thinks highly of.

If this is the power move Dolfans were waiting for, rest assured, that Jeff Ireland has plans up his sleeves in free-agency or in the draft.  Rumors have been floating around about a possible trade for a tackle, a signing of Eric Winston as plan be or even straying across enemy territory to grab Sebastian Vollmer, formerly of the Patriots.  

For the 2^nd straight year a 1^st overall pick is set to have a new team. Jake Long has signed a 4 year contract to go to the St Louis Rams.  The #BringJakeHome campaign which seemed to be gaining serious steam apparently never made it to Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland. Jake’s deal with St Louis is a 4 year 36 million dollar deal.

While it seemed the Dolphins made it competitive it would not be surprising if we later heard the Dolphins never really attempted to match the dollars offered by St Louis. Jake is now the 3^rd member of last year’s leadership council to be wearing new colors this offseason. Jake injuries were probably what sealed his faith in Miami as it is presumed the Dolphins will be aiming for a cheaper alternative to help solve their OT holes.

The safest bet is that now sophomore tackle Jonathan Martin will be moved to LT and the Dolphins will pursue OT Eric Winston or Sebastian Vollmer. Both tackles would bring an upgrade and are proven vets that can help the offensive line.

Armando tweeted that the Dolphins are most likely to tackle the position in free agency as opposed to using the 12^th overall pick.

I was there and met Jake when he was drafted 1^st overall by Miami so it is tough to see a player like that go however it is most likely for the best and we wish Jake nothing but the best of luck.