For those interested, @phinsnation + @phinsrock and myself hosted a podcast on a variety of different Miami Dolphins related topics.

Here is the link

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/miami-dolphins-talk/2013/03/11/dolphin-talk

It appears as though Reggie Bush has suited up for the Miami Dolphins for the last time. According to the Miami Herald, at least three teams have already shown interest in the free agent running back. The contract offers Bush is expected to recieve are much higher than anything the Dolphins were willing to offer as they expressed that a deal would have had to be made on their terms. 

After drafting running back Lamar Miller in the fourth round of last year's draft, Miami's interest in retaining Bush dimished as they refused to work out a new contract during the regular season. Team officials met with Bush's camp at the NFL Combine however the two sides were unable to come to an agreement.

Since joining the Dolphins as the featured back in 2011, Bush rushed for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career and followed that up by recording 986 yards on the ground a season ago. For the most part he was able to put his injury troubles aside on route to 15 total touchdowns in his two years dawning the aqua and orange.

As it stands, Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas will form the Dolphins backfield in 2013. It's remians unclear if the team will address the position in either free agency or the draft.

The Miami Dolphins began phase one of their free agency plan by signing some of their own unrestricted free agents to new contracts. The team announced new deals for starting wide reciever Brian Hartline and back up quarterback Matt Moore prior to the NFL's three day negotiating period with other teams UFA's which opens at midnight on Saturday.

Late Thursday night the Dolphins signed Hartline to a five year, $30.8 million deal with $12.5 million guaranteed making him Miami's highest paid offensive player. Since the end of the regular season, Hartline made it evidently clear he wanted to return to Miami and the feeling was mutual with the front office. Coming off a breakout year, Hartline has established himself as a viable number two reciever and would have been a top commodity on the open market. The 26 year old Ohio native isn't the deep threat the team is looking to add this offseason however he is a reliable pass catcher that developed great chemistry with Ryan Tannehill in the quarterback's rookie season. Working with Tannehill, Hartline posted the best stats of his four year career as he recorded 1,083 yards with one touchdown on 74 receptions.

While some might argue that Hartline is overpaid, he in fact took less money to stay in South Beach. The goal of this offseason is to ensure that Tannehill is in the best position to succeed in 2013 and this signing is the first step in achieveing that.

After a few days of negotiating, the Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms on a deal with wide receiver Brian Hartline.  The terms of the deal include a 5 year deal worth 30.775 million with 12.5 million fully-guaranteed.

News of the signing was reported by ProFootballtalk.com and then confirmed by NFL Network's Jeff Darlington who witnessed Hartline step out of the head quarters in Davie.

Hartline said to Darlington that "It feels great to know perseverance has paid off.  Now it's about winning games."

The signing of Hartline means the Dolphins continue to retain the players they want for years to come and they can move onto their other pressing matters such as free-agency and what play makers they are going to load this roster with.

These next few days leading to the official start of free-agency will be a whirlwind since as early as tomorrow at midnight, agents and teams can begin official talks, offers, and nosy reporters will have their collective ears to the ground. 

Bringing Hartline back into the fold means continuity, consistency, and a favorable target for Ryan Tannehill!

Phins up!  Please continue to check PhinsPhocus.com for the latest on Miami Dolphins News! @Phins_Phocus

Just this morning, it was reported promptly by FoxSports Alex Marvez that the Dolphins were "close to a deal" with Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline.  Many in South Florida were gasping for air and letting it out on the airwaves on WQAM and on Twitter showing a number of reactions...a mixture of relief and disappointment.

In fact, one of the most interesting comments was by a caller on WQAM that mentioned that the Green Bay Packers extended Jordy Nelson a 4 year 14 million dollar deal last year. Nelson has proven more valuable and productive than Hartline has to the Dolphins. (Actually 13 million total deal with 5 million guaranteed).

However, here's this, Hartline and agent Drew Rosenhaus know what the Dolphins have to play with. The Dolphins have over 34 million in cap space.  Asking for 6.5 million or a little less to the Dolphins seems reasonable giving the whopping numbers that may be thrown around on the eve of free agency and the huge contract that Dwayne Bowe of Kansas City  just signed (5 year 56 million) lays the groundwork for a tiering of wide receivers. 

Calvin Johnson makes 18 million a year and Larry Fitzgerald makes around 16 million per year.  Both are signed longterm.  

Next, if the Dolphins have to pay Hartline to be a receiver in this offensive system, in a market where he probably could seek more from other teams based on his speed and upside, it is quite possible that paying 6 million might be the going rate just to have a conversation with Hartline and his agent.  

As of now, no deal has yet to be reached and the waiting could continue up to the start of free-agency.

If 74 catches for over 1,000 yards and a touchdown earns a 6 million dollar deal, then that is the going rate.  Whether we like it or not, keeping Hartline because of the continuity he has in this offense is why he is valuable right now to the Dolphins.

As for those other free-agent possibilities, those will be the big names and numbers thrown around in the coming days.

With free agency looming, Dolphins fans worldwide will be burning the bandwidth on Twitter and on the radiowaves.