Peyton Manning was seen heading to Miami today from Opa Locka Executive Airport.  Undoubtedly, Peyton was heading to his condo in Miami Beach to ponder his future and wait for his phone to ring.

After being flocked by reporters: Manning finally took the time to answer reporters questions about his next destination and what his intentions were to be in Miami. 

As it stands, the Miami Dolphins are rumored to be a possible destination for Peyton Manning to bounce back after missing all of the 2012 season.

If you are a Dolphins fan, do you hope and wish that Manning chooses the Dolphins? 

Should Stephen Ross get his jet ready to meet with Manning should he decide to leave for a "recruiting" tour around the NFL?

In fairness to everyone that is a Dolfan and every blogger on this site, I will say that I really enjoyed Marino as a youngster and in my high school years.  I also grew up watching Joe Montana play and seeing him get tossed out by the same GM and Owner that drafted him and was then released favor of Steve Young.  Joe Montana went on to play three more years with three playoff appearances.  When he played the Niners, he put it behind him and was the same 'ol Joe Cool.   

I would have to say that the Colts made a big mistake that whoever gets Manning, be prepared to get schilacked when he and his new team play the Colts! 

According to NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora the Colts plan to hold a press conference on Wednesday March 7^th, to announce they will be releasing Peyton Manning making him a free agent immediately after.

Stephen Ross get your wrist ready, start doing your exercises because you better be preparing to write Peyton one very large cheque. Ross and Ireland need to pull out everything from their bag of tricks and do whatever is necessary to bring Peyton to the Dolphins.

Hopefully today’s announcement will be the start of great news for the Dolphins as the 13 year search for a QB might finally come to an end this off season. Should the Dolphins sign Manning it would be the most exciting moment in Dolphins history short of the Perfect season and the Marino years.

Here is to hopen ! Bring Peyton to Miami !

Fins Up

PS: Check out ManningtoMiami.com to support the cause.

First of all, the Miami Dolphins have a principal need this offseason...quarterback.  However, drafting the right wide-receiver in round 1 is extremely risky.  (See Ted Ginn). 

If the Dolphins have a bit of cap space left after their dalliance with Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn, it would be in their best interest to add someone who can catch the ball and turn up field.

Here are some potential Free Agent Wide Receivers targets that could fit the Dolphins new offense:

1. Vincent Jackson: Current team: San Diego Chargers

Vincent Jackson would be an incredible addition for the Dolphins giving the incoming QB and offense a shot in the arm.  Whether you look at Brandon Marshall as a number one or two, it doesn’t matter with Vincent Jackson in a Miami uniform.  He’s big, he’s strong, and he has good game speed.  If he’s burned the Dolphins once or twice in his career, that may be a sign that they know his strengths and weaknesses on film.  Vincent Jackson is getting older, but he still has at least 5 good years left.  If the Dolphins intend to compete with the New England Patriots and New York Jets, it would be a good idea to get another pass catcher that can present matchup headaches.  (2011 Stat: 60 REC, 1190 YDS, and 9 TDs).

2. Mario Manningham:  Current team: New York Giants

Call me crazy, but Manningham has played with Peyton’s brother Eli and if the Dolphins land the big QB in free agency, then Manningham would be a logical fit.  Of course, I am high on Mario Manningham because he’s a Patriot killer and the Dolphins need a ton of killers on their roster filled with guys that hang in there with that AFC  East Opponent that keeps winning games.  The Dolphins need a true number two threat at receiver and Manningham adds some speed, hands, and ability to make sideline catches when the game is on the line.  (2011 Stats: 39 REC, 523 YDS, 4TD). 

3. Reggie Wayne: Current team: Indianapolis Colts

While most Dolphin fans in the Miami area are familiar with Reggie Wayne playing his college ball at the U, most Dolphin fans cringe seeing that Reggie Wayne has enjoyed success playing with a winning franchise in Indianapolis.  After all, Indy was built on the emergence of one Marvin Harrison and then Reggie Wayne with multiple Tight Ends mixed in.  Reggie Wayne had a down year in 2011, but for everything that was negative about the record going 2-14, Reggie Wayne managed to fire up the team and the city showing he could still catch a fade route from a journey man QB named Dan Orlovsky versus the first place Texans.  While the Dolphins brass is concentrating on filling the void with Peyton Manning, it should be noted that Reggie Wayne can fill the void of having a relevant offensive threat and one that can pair with Brandon Marshall for the next few years.  If Manning is released and then signed, why not bring one of his familiar targets to Miami? (70 REC, 960 YDS, and 4TD).

4. Robert Meacham: Current Team: New Orleans Saints            

There is really no telling how good Meacham can be without Drew Brees.  Meacham is a big & tall target who can make the most difficult of catches.  He is more of a possession receiver who has lived in the shadows behind Marques Colston and Lance Moore.  At 40 REC, 620 YDS, and 6 TD, it would be an improvement over most receivers in Miami.  However, Meacham is only 27 years old and that in comparison would make him a young and productive receiver. 

Some other receivers that I believe might get a look-see from Miami are:

1. Roy Williams: Big, physical receiver that Jeff Ireland looked at while he played at Texas.  He’d be an awkward receiver in Miami, because he doesn’t have speed and he is getting older.  He’d be a nice goal line receiver making tough catches in traffic. 

2. Eddie Royal: He played with Brandon Marshall briefly, but his speed could be useful on kickoffs and he could stretch the field as a receiver.

3. Braylon Edwards: Although he has had his time bouncing from team to team, I would give him a shot because he has talent and ability.  He can get down field and make big plays.  However, his locker room presence might be too overpowering with other Miami players needing to set him straight right away.  Heck, if Jim Harbaugh didn’t want him, what does that tell you?

4. Pierre Garçon: He’s fast, he can catch the ball, and he can impact the game in under 8 seconds.  If he’s available, I’d take a chance on Pierre Garçon.

The 30 million dollar question this off season for the Miami Dolphins front office is not about Peyton Manning, but rather about Paul Soliai, their stalwart of a Nose Tackle.

Playing the position of Nose tackle in the NFL takes an extreme amount of strength and self control as offensive linemen are prepared to double and sometimes triple team the player in order to keep the player off of their running back or sometimes QB.

Paul Soliai is a player that has evolved over the years and was paid a handsome sum in the form of a franchise tag to make him the man that stops the run and puts pressure on the quarterback which allows hungry linebackers to shoot the gaps. 

Soliai was paid last year based on his 2010 performance and in 2011, he found his way to the quarterback and made key plays on defense. 

The question remains, has Soliai become expendable for the Miami Dolphins and can they bring in someone younger and even tougher in free agency or the draft and the answer is no.

Teams such as the Ravens and Patriots have Haloti Ngata and Vince Wilfork respectively, both players set the tone for the defense and late in the game, they are the guys grinding it out getting a timely pressure to close out with a game on the line. 

In addition, both players play in a 3-4 defense primarily.

Currently the Dolphins are slated to play 3-4, but with more 4-3 looks than they have had in previous years.

Here are some reasons for re-signing Soliai:

1. Soliai can make plays and has success forcing enough pressure in order to sack the quarterback.

2. Soliai is coming off of a pro bowl season and has stayed relatively healthy. 

3. Soliai is a stalwart defensive tackle in a defense with three down linemen, stopping the runs up the middle.

4. Despite preliminary figures on the salary cap situation for Miami, should his potential 2012 earnings exceed the 9 million the Dolphins are rumored to be under the cap, his contract can be spread out to future years.

Here is a reason for the Dolphins should not sign Soliai:

1. Soliai plays 2-3 downs.  His size and strength make him more of specialist than an everydown lineman.  He can't be there in a pass down because a quicker Jared Odrick could fill the position and make more of an impact withi his speed.

2. Soliai is expensive.  Soliai wants 25-30 million in bonus plus an annual salary.  It's a lot of risk that you pay, but could land out of shape living large with a new contract and he could slack off in his preparation.  

3. Soliai may be a pro bowler, but he is not a super bowl player.  If the Dolphins want to go to the Super Bowl, other areas such as QB, TE, OL might be a better place to spend the money.

4.  Soliai could be looking to play only in a 3-4.  A formation that is better suited for him so he can let the Line backers finish the job.  It is possible that the hiring of DC Kevin Coyle might be looking for a Tank Johnson type and bring a more Tampa 2 look with a 4-3 front in Miami.  

While Soliai in theory could be a very good signing for Miami, it would be behoove the Dolphins to look at other areas of need and say that they can't afford a player who wants a 4-5 year deal and QB money at that. 

Earlier this afternoon Adam Schefter tweeted that the Rams have had discussions with the Dolphins, Browns, and Redskins about trading the number 2 pick.

Note that the Dolphins also had the chance to sit down and interview the potential number 2 pick Robert Griffin the 3^rd. While the Dolphins originally seemed like a long shot to land RG3, buzz that the Browns might not be so hot on the young Baylor gunslinger leaves them in an interesting place.

While everyone and their first cousin knows that Peyton Manning seems like the number 1 priority for the Dolphins brass, should the Dolphins not be able to land the Sheriff, RG3 might become the backup plan.

While there have been smoke screens about the Phins wanting Manning, Tannehill, Flynn and next we will probably hear some smoke about them wanting Jay Fiedler back, the idea of drafting Baylor’s QB is an interesting one.

RG3 ran a 4.41 forty time and impressed all scouts by with his unbelievable athleticism in all the NFL combine drills, while also impressing the media at the podium and interviews. RG3 wants to give Andrew Luck a run for his money and seemed poised to be something special in the NFL.

The Rams confirmed today that the Rams will deal the pick and its just a matter of who will move up and what they are willing to give up.

Schefter said that the price tag for the 2^nd overall pick will be similar to when the Giants traded up for Eli Manning :  2 1^st round picks, 1 3^rd round pick and 1 5^th .

While some may think that is a steep price, I think it is 100% worth it for a potential franchise QB like RG3 with all the talent he posses.

The Dolphins has failed to take a risk or leap in the draft in years and there is no time better than to find your next franchise QB.

To put things into perspective, if the Dolphins traded for the 2^nd pick based on players they currently drafted the trade would look like.

Dolphins : RG3

Rams : Mike Pouncey( 1^st in 2011) , Jared Odrick( 1^st in 2010) , John Jerry (3^rd in 2010) Nolan Carroll ( 5^th in 2010)

While Pouncey is a very solid center and Oddrick is a nice player, clearly the need for a franchise QB is the better of the two options. This is a QB driven league and with Matt Moore as your starter you clearly aren’t winning a Super Bowl any time soon.

So my friends, would you trade up for RG3 ??