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!

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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.

March 12th is getting closer and closer and the start to NFL free agency is just around the corner. Soon the rumors will end and the excitement around the different NFL fan bases will grow or the disappointment and concern will start to linger.

Despite slapping the franchise tag on Randy Starks the Dolphins still have plenty of money to throw around to help out Ryan Tannehill and company.

Today the Chiefs agreed to 5 year deal rumored for around 11 million per year with WR Dwayne Bowe. Once Bowe's numbers are released they will surely impact the market.   The market however did open when not surprisingly Greg Jennings was not tagged. Other playmakers who were not tagged include, Jared Cook, Dustin Keller and JerMichael Finley.    

The Dolphins will several choices and options in terms of how to help this offense grow. Rumors did however did start go grow with the number 1 WR free agent Mike Wallace.

Adam Schefter :  @AdamSchefter

RT @CMRE24: You thinks Miami has a chance of getting Mike Wallace? ... Yup. Dolphins know they need to add weapons. Wallace on their radar.

While Schefty didn't say the Dolphins will sign Wallace or that they are the favorite, a tweet from ESPN's number 1 guy certainly goes a long way.  That being said Schefty did also note that Wallace won't come cheap.

Adam Schefter : ‏@AdamSchefter

RT @charlesb14: Any talk on @steelers players in Mike Wallace's ear to get him to stay? ... Doesn't care what they say. Cares what they pay.

Time will certainly tell however Dolphins fans should keep their twitter accounts active and their eyes glued to ESPN on March 12th . 

Now that the Dolphins have tagged Randy Starks with the franchise tag, and now have some time to work out a deal long term.  The tag is pricey at $8.45 million and should allow the Dolphins to look at their long list of free agents and offer contracts.  

For instance, now that Randy Starks has been tagged, the Miami Dolphins can choose to offer or not offer deals to the likes of Jake Long, Sean Smith, Brian Hartline or Reggie Bush.

Many fans believe that Jake Long is most likely gone and that Sean Smith is probably gone as well.  Reggie Bush has his eyes on a lucrative deal that allows him to start and get paid. However, no one truly knows for sure or what the Dolphins plan on doing.  This franchise tag was Jeff Ireland's second use of a franchise tag since the Dolphins tagged Paul Soliai in 2011.

That leaves Brian Hartline as a strong possibility, who after eclipsing 1,000 yards led the team in catches, should be signed based on his rapport and continuity with Ryan Tannehill.

With the franchise tag tendered to Randy Starks, let's hope as Dolphins fans that the best is yet to come and this pool of 34 million dollars will be spread out in making the Dolphins a contender!