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It's rare for a member of the media to suggest someone should stop doing interviews. But for the betterment of the Miami Dolphins, now is probably a good time for owner Stephen Ross to tone down the rhetoric.

Ross' latest statement is a perfect example. He told NFL.com he expects Matt Moore to be the starter in Week 1. This one statement, in essence, undermines everything Miami's coaching staff and front office have preached to the team and the public this offseason.

"I don't think they're going to rush (Ryan Tannehill) into anything. He's going to have to win the starting job," Ross said. "I think Matt Moore will probably be the starter, and I wish him the best."

Ross' public endorsement of Moore -- (wish him the best?) -- is not a good look.

The team has said over and over that veteran David Garrard will get a fair shot. Some in Miami think Garrard could actually be the favorite, because his style better fits the West Coast system. Head coach Joe Philbin and general manager Jeff Ireland also haven't ruled out Tannehill, although the expectation is that Tannehill will hold a clipboard as a rookie.

So, what if Garrard beats out Moore in training camp? Is Garrard the quarterback the owner didn't want or expect to start? If Garrard struggles early, would the owner push the coaching staff to insert Moore, who Ross projected to win the job in the first place? It's an unneeded controversy waiting to happen.

Ross' statement goes in the same bin with other offseason classics, such as wanting to hire a young Don Shula (Philbin is 50) and saying he hopes to retire Tannehill's jersey someday before the rookie's introductory news conference. Those are things you just shouldn't say publicly as the owner of a sports team.

Football season is upon us, and Ross is not a "football guy."

For the Dolphins' sake, it's time for Ross to stop making football statements.

The Miami Dolphins were able to squeeze in a new $49 million contract extension under their tight salary cap this weekend for defensive end Cameron Wake. But with Wake's extension and the Miami's rookie class still unsigned, what does this mean for Jake Long?

Miami's Pro Bowl left tackle is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Long is scheduled to become one of the most sought-after free agents in 2013 if Miami doesn't reach an extension.

Chances appear smaller that something to get done before the start of this season. The market value for an extension with Long will be costly.

Long most likely wants a contract similar or better than Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas, who received a seven-year, $84 million extension in 2011. Both Long and Thomas are considered the top two left tackles in the league.

There has been recent speculation that Miami's second-round pick of Jonathan Martin, who played left tackle at Stanford, could be insurance in case the team cannot work out an extension. Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland vehemently denied it, and said they plan to keep Long in Miami for a long time.

The Dolphins could cut some veteran players with high salaries to make room for Long. But that would make the rebuilding Dolphins less competitive. The safer assumption is Long could wait another year before his name is called.

The first-round pick was obvious. Everyone knew the Miami Dolphins loved former Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill with the No. 8 overall pick, which went according to form.

But after that, I was curious when Miami was going to take a wide receiver in the draft. It didn’t happen in the second round. It didn’t happen in the third, fourth or fifth rounds.

Miami finally drafted a pair of receivers in the sixth and seventh rounds. The Dolphins selected B.J. Cunningham of Michigan State and Rishard Matthews of Nevada.

"I think we drafted a couple good players that we think could ascend," Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said. "But we weren’t going to reach. That’s not my philosophy."

Does Miami have enough to be effective at wide receiver next season? Here is a look at the players currently on the roster.

According to rookie head coach Joe Philbin, the West Coast offense doesn’t need a star, No. 1 target. But projected starters Brian Hartline and Devone Bess and possibly Legadu Naanee could be put in roles bigger than what they are used to.

Miami traded Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears in the offseason. The Dolphins expect to throw the ball a lot with a new West Coast offense, probably more than last year, despite a group with a lot to prove.

"The more guys you can get into different spots to create mismatches for the defense, the better you’re going to be,” Philbin said. "I don’t think we lock in."

With the draft complete and free agency all but done, this is probably the receiver group Miami rolls with next season. Is this group good enough to produce in 2012?

The Miami Dolphins cannot stop gushing over their first-round pick: Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. He is considered one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in this year's draft. Yet, Miami is confident that Tannehill has a bright future.

Here are some additional quotes from the various people within the Dolphins organization on Tannehill:

Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman: "Ryan Tannehill is a unique individual. Much has been said about his intellect and athleticism. What hasn't been discussed is his unselfish nature and his 'team first' mentality, which fits in with coach [Joe] Philbin's philosophy."

Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland: "I didn't take him as the eighth pick in the draft to be a backup quarterback. I picked him to be a starting quarterback in this league at some point, to have an impact on this football team, to help us win games and championships. That's the expectation that I have going down the line."

Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin: "He's a team-first player. He's smart. He has a tremendous work ethic. He's the kind of guy I interviewed for the position and talked to Jeff about the kind of men we wanted to bring to this organization, and he's a perfect fit. Besides the fact he's 6-4 and runs a 4.6 (in the 40-yard dash), has long arms, throws well on the move. He's got a lot of skill."

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross: "You have your chances and your odds of getting a franchise quarterback and a real starting quarterback in the first round. Historically, you see those who become that mostly come out the first round. That tells you an awful lot. I've always said once we can identify a franchise quarterback, let's go get him. And I think that's what we found."

The Dolphins are sure Tannehill will be Miami's next great quarterback. Do you agree or disagree?

DAVIE, Fla. -- There is no bigger boom-or-bust prospect in the 2012 draft than former Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Is he the next prolific NFL quarterback, or simply a product of pre-draft hype that led to becoming a top-10 pick?

Opinions vary. But the Miami Dolphins believe they have the answers to the Tannehill question. Miami has more inside knowledge on Tannehill than any other team and drafted its quarterback of the future with the No. 8 overall pick Thursday night.

Tannehill will rejoin Dolphins offensive coordinator and former Aggies coach Mike Sherman, who says Tannehill is a star in the making. There are many critics who believe Tannehill is fool's gold, but the Dolphins are very confident they made the right choice.

"This was an all-in decision," Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said firmly. "From the football side, our scouts, our coaches ... we all felt very, very good about it."

Ireland hit the nail on the head. The Dolphins are betting the foreseeable future of the franchise on Tannehill -- for better or for worse.

If Tannehill develops into an upper-echelon quarterback, the Dolphins finally have the biggest piece to change their misfortunes. If Tannehill is a bust, it will set Miami back another three or four years.

"We're excited and thrilled," Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said of their first-round pick. "I've always said you need to be strong at the quarterback position, and now that's one of the strengths of this team. So I couldn't be happier."

The pick doesn't come without pressure. It's been 29 years since the Dolphins drafted a quarterback in the first round: Dan Marino in 1983. Those are some big shoes to fill.

It's also no coincidence Miami hasn't had a legitimate, franchise quarterback since Marino retired in 2000. The list of mediocre starting quarterbacks since included Cleo Lemon, Joey Harrington, Trent Green, Jay Fiedler, A.J. Feeley, John Beck and most recently Chad Henne. Tannehill will try to avoid being the next name on this infamous list.

Tannehill had only 19 career starts in college. There is a learning curve with Tannehill that isn't as steep for other top quarterback prospects like Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, who went No. 1 and No. 2 to the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins, respectively.

The good news is Tannehill is not expected to play in 2012. Barring unexpected injuries to Miami veteran quarterbacks Matt Moore and David Garrard, Tannehill probably will hold a clipboard next season. This will provide Tannehill ample time to learn the NFL game.

Dolphins rookie head coach and former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin kept Aaron Rodgers on the bench for several years before he became a starter and it worked out fine. But that wasn’t what Tannehill wanted to hear on draft day.

"I want to compete, that's just the competitor in me," Tannehill said in a conference call with the South Florida media. "Obviously with competition comes learning. It doesn't have to be a hostile competition. It's just competing."

Ireland said he’s going to leave Tannehill's playing time next season up to the coaching staff. But chances are, we won't know much about Tannehill until 2013. The boom-or-bust talk will have to wait for at least a year.

But Tannehill's ceiling is high if things go right in Miami. It also doesn't hurt that the quarterback competition in the AFC East is not very stout. It's pretty much Tom Brady, and then there's everyone else.

Tannehill has the physical ability to potentially rise above the struggling quarterback pile in the division that includes Mark Sanchez, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tim Tebow. If Tannehill becomes the second-best quarterback in the AFC East over the next two or three years, that's a huge advantage for the rebuilding Dolphins.

Remember this day, Dolphins fans. Tannehill is the draft pick that will either change Miami's misfortunes or extend the team's misery for several more years. The Tannehill mystery won't be solved overnight, but Miami feels it found the piece to eventually build this struggling franchise into a winner.

"I don't know if this energizes the fan base. What energizes the fan base is winning," Ross said. "I'm looking to field a winning team, because energizing a fan base only lasts a very short period of time.

"We're talking about winning in the long haul."

Here are the most interesting stories Tuesday morning in the AFC East:

• Will New York Jets Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis hold out?

Morning take: Revis was in the same situation in 2010. He held out and got what he wanted. Now, Revis is looking for more in a year New York has little cap room.

• Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland says the draft picks are up to him, despite suggestions from owner Stephen Ross.

Morning take: That's the way it should be. Ross is not a football guy. It's his job to let his football people do the work.

• Many Buffalo Bills are excited for the start of this week's offseason workout program.

Morning take: This is when Buffalo has to start taking that next step. Getting on the same page starts now, and it appears the Bills are aiming to get that accomplished.

• Is Boise State outside linebacker Shea McClellin a good prospect for the New England Patriots?

Morning take: New England needs outside pass-rushers, so McClellin is a possibility. He has been compared to former Patriot Mike Vrabel.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Miami Dolphins fans. But it's probably going to be awhile before your team is a legitimate playoff contender again.

A disastrous offseason has gutted this once-promising team. Now, Miami is in full rebuild mode under rookie head coach Joe Philbin.

Miami is not a quick or easy fix. Here are five reasons why the Dolphins are a long way away from being a contender and probable for another top-10 draft pick in 2013:

Reason No. 1: Dolphins don't have a quarterback

Times are changing in the NFL. It's quickly coming to the point where if you don't have a quarterback, you don’t have a chance.

Miami is going into the season with a quarterback competition between career backup Matt Moore and againg veteran David Garrard, who hasn't played football since 2010. Moore is the favorite coming off a career year in 2011 and was 6-6 as a starter. Garrard, 34, is a wild card after being out of football last season.

Neither player is a great fit for Miami's new West Coast offense. It's a scheme based on precision passing and throwing the ball about 60 percent of the time. Philbin was a former offensive coordinator with the Green Bay Packers. If Philbin expects Moore or Garrard to step in and fill the role of Aaron Rodgers next season, the coach is terribly mistaken.

It's hard for Miami to be a viable contender until it figures out its quarterback position. That won't happen next season with Garrard and Moore. Neither is the long-term solution.

Reason No. 2: No offense

Not only does Miami not have a franchise quarterback, it also lacks a supporting cast to put together a successful offense. The Dolphins could have one of the worst offenses on paper.

The Dolphins certainly have one of the worst receiver groups. The team traded away Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears for a pair of third-round picks, leaving Brian Hartline (35 receptions for 549 yards in 2011) as the No. 1 option. Slot receiver Davone Bess (51 receptions, 537 yards) is projected as the No. 2 receiver, while Legedu Naanee and Clyde Gates compete for playing time. None of these receivers strike fear in the defense to keep opponents from stacking the line against tailback Reggie Bush and the running game.

The right side of Miami's offense line also is a problem. The Dolphins lost their starting right guard (Vernon Carey) and starting right tackle (Marc Colombo) in free agency. With uncertainty at quarterback, below-average receivers and major holes on the right side of the offensive line, Miami's offense is not set up for early success. The draft will help, but Miami can't fill all these needs with rookie players.

Reason No. 3: Shaky ownership, front office

Is it more perception or reality with Miami's leadership? Both have hurt the team.

The perception is the Dolphins have a shaky operation at the top. Owner Stephen Ross has deep pockets but hasn't shown the ability to build a stable, winning franchise. And Ross' trust in embattled general manager Jeff Ireland wasn't a popular decision.

The reality is Ross has the resources and wants to win. But Ross isn't a "football guy," and his unwavering trust in Ireland has caused a ripple effect.

Ireland's track record as a talent evaluator is decent. But he doesn't appear to be well-liked in NFL circles. Several players and former players have bashed Ireland publicly. Even Peyton Manning -- although very politely -- informed the Dolphins he wasn't comfortable with the team's leadership when Miami pursued the quarterback in free agency. Head coach Jeff Fisher also chose the St. Louis Rams over the Dolphins this offseason, in part, because he felt the stability at the top was better in St. Louis.

Winning will help this perception. That will convince top free agents to eventually come to Miami. But that wasn't the case for Ross and Ireland this offseason.

Reason No. 4: Defense is overrated

I like Miami's defense. But for all the hype this group is getting, the Dolphins' defense is fairly overrated.

Miami was ranked No. 15 in total defense in 2011. You would think this was a top-five defense based on the good press it is getting. In reality, it was middle of the pack. More importantly, the Dolphins were ranked 25th against the pass.

Miami still has holes in its secondary. Miami cut its best safety and leading tackler -- Yeremiah Bell -- this offseason. The Dolphins will go with a patchwork group of Reshad Jones, Tyrell Johnson or converted corner Richard Marshall at safety. That means bombs away for opposing quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Matt Schaub and others on Miami's schedule this season. It's going to be tough to win games if you can't pass or stop the pass in today's NFL.

The Dolphins also don't have enough pass-rushers. Outside linebacker Cameron Wake is the biggest threat. Perhaps Miami could find another pass-rusher to go with Wake in this draft. But if the Dolphins can't get to the quarterback and struggle at safety, the defense could be middle of the pack again.

Miami’s defense has its strengths. It is stout against the run, for example, and rarely allows a 100-yard rusher. But contrary to popular belief, the Dolphins aren't dominant enough defensively to win games on just one side of the ball. A sputtering offense will hurt this group.

Reason No. 5: Division rivals are simply better

Miami was 6-10 last season and finished third in the AFC East via the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Buffalo Bills (6-10). But a case can be made that the Dolphins are the only team in the division that took a few steps back this offseason.

As we mentioned, the Dolphins traded their best receiver, cut their leading tackler and failed to find a viable starting quarterback. Add in the fact that the team has an entirely new coaching staff and has to learn a new offense and defense, and you're sure to have growing pains. I doubt this team can better last year's record and finish with seven or more wins.

The reigning AFC champion New England Patriots have the NFL's easiest schedule and are much better than Miami. That's a no-brainer. But the Buffalo Bills, my sleeper pick in 2012, also are much improved, and the New York Jets still have a talented roster. The Dolphins appear headed for fourth place in the division. At best, Miami can finish third if something bad happens this year in New York or Buffalo.

Add up these five reasons, and it's clear Miami is much closer to the bottom of the league than the top. Look for the Dolphins to secure another top-10 draft pick and continue their lengthy rebuilding process into 2013.

Here are the most interesting stories Friday morning in the AFC East:

• New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum doesn't want to discuss the contract situation of Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Morning take: Revis recently signed a contract two years but he has the potential to put the Jets in a tough spot. New York doesn't have much cap room if Revis proves not to be happy.

• Former Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor has his doubts about the New England Patriots.

Morning take: So does everyone else. New England's defense didn't hold the team back much last year. But how much it improves could be the difference in getting back to the Super Bowl.

• Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland is quiet on drafting former Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Morning take: No general manager is going to give away their plans this time of year. Miami may get Tannehill next week at No. 8, but I doubt the Dolphins will trade up to do it.

• Can the Buffalo Bills get a good wide receiver in the third or fourth round?

Morning take: It's more difficult but certainly possibly. Receiver is a position where players can make an immediate impact.

Here are the most interesting stories Saturday morning in the AFC East:

• New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow says he's not worried about prior comments made by new teammate and cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

Morning take: Cromartie said the Jets don’t need Tebow. It will be Tebow’s job to win the team over with his play on the field.

• The Miami Dolphins and general manager Jeff Ireland didn't feel Matt Flynn was a franchise quarterback.

Morning take: That’s fine if they are right. But if Flynn goes on to have a great career and Miami is stuck with David Garrard and Matt Moore next season, that’s on the Dolphins, who could have had Flynn.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles are showing interest in former Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Demetrius Bell.

Morning take: Bell still hasn't re-signed with Buffalo and now is starting to examine his options. Chances are looking slimmer for a return to the Bills.

• Which new Patriots are going to make an impact?

Morning take: I like the Brandon Lloyd signing most. I think he will be a quiet but effective signing. Jonathan Fanene also is a sleeper.

The Miami Dolphins appear serious about the possibility of drafting Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

According to Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland, head coach Joe Philbin and player personnel director Brian Gaine were in attendance for Tannehill's pro day Thursday. Miami holds the No. 8 overall pick.

The early reports were good. Tannehill threw the ball well and moved well. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds, showing his speed as a former wide receiver. Tannehill is one of the fastest-rising prospects in this year's NFL draft.

With Stanford's Andrew Luck and Baylor's Robert Griffin III expected to go with the top two picks, Tannehill is now considered a top-10 prospect. Miami is sitting at No. 8 and is in need of a long-term solution at QB. Veterans Matt Moore and David Garrard both have one year left on their contracts.

Miami offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, who was not in attendance, coached Tannehill in college. Sherman is already convinced Tannehill can play quarterback in the NFL. Perhaps Ireland and Philbin needed one more look up close.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins' power pair of owner Stephen Ross and general manager Jeff Ireland aren't making many new fans in Miami. The Dolphins, once viewed as a team on the rise, made a series of head-scratching moves this offseason that has led to early pessimism.

Ross defended his general manager Monday at the NFL owners meeting.

"I think it's unfair. I don't like it. I don't think Jeff likes it," Ross told reporters Monday. "I think it's unfair. I think the ideas were the fact that we didn't get Peyton Manning. I think the fact that we are right in the middle of the process. It’s an unfinished product and I think to judge him at this point in time is not the right thing to do by anybody."

Ross is correct in that it is too early to see the entire picture of the 2012 Dolphins. But the part of the picture shown thus far doesn't seem promising. Here are several additional notes from the Dolphins' owner:

• Ross really made it a point that he wants the team to be more transparent with the fans and media. The Dolphins are losing the battle of public perception this offseason, and Ross made it clear that he's aware of it. He confirmed recently that he reached out to two fans to talk about the team.
• Rookie head coach Joe Philbin has been impressive, according to Ross. The owner described Philbin as energized, a winner and even better than advertised.
• Finally, Ross said the team had a conversation about quarterback Tim Tebow but didn't feel he fit the team. Ross said he didn't want to make a decision just to fill the stands.

Although the Miami Dolphins' regime wouldn't admit it, they will nervously keep one eye on how things progress with the offense of the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle is where quarterback Matt Flynn will resume his NFL career after a four-year stint as a backup with the Green Bay Packers. The same Matt Flynn the Dolphins didn't think highly enough to come up with a three-year, $26 million contract he received in Seattle.

The Dolphins had every opportunity to land Flynn. Miami had the strong connection of Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin, who helped develop Flynn in Green Bay. Miami also had the perfect offensive system for Flynn and even had him in for a visit last weekend. The Dolphins could've made sure Flynn didn't leave their facilities without becoming Miami's next starting quarterback. Instead, the Dolphins let Flynn slip away.

Miami's regime, led by owner Stephen Ross, general manager Jeff Ireland and Philbin, didn't think Flynn was worth the investment. That's fine, but they better be right.

Miami supposedly knows Flynn better than any team outside the Packers. If Flynn turns out to be the next great starting quarterback, that stain will stick with the Dolphins. Miami should have been the last team fooled by this. The Dolphins have intimate knowledge of what Flynn can and cannot do.

With just two career starts, Flynn may become the next Matt Schaub (a top-12 quarterback) or the next Kevin Kolb (a bust). The Dolphins can only hope it's the latter.

Remember Drew Brees? He became a free agent in 2006 and was looking for a team after injuring his shoulder late in the season with the San Diego Chargers.

The Dolphins were considered the favorites to get Brees and were very close to making it a reality. But after sending Brees through a round of physicals, Miami was scared away. The Dolphins instead traded a draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings for quarterback Daunte Culpepper. Brees later signed with the New Orleans Saints, his second choice behind Miami.

We all know how that turned out.

This offseason could be a case of history repeating itself in Miami, albeit probably to a lesser degree. After missing out on Flynn, who also came with risks, the Dolphins signed David Garrard. The 34-year old quarterback has been out of football since 2010 and will compete with Matt Moore for the starting job. This is a quarterback situation that is going nowhere fast.

Miami also has a good shot to add former Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill to the mix. Miami holds the No. 8 overall pick and Tannehill played for Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman. Although Tannehill was once considered a late first-round pick, his stock is on the rise and seems like a logical fit for Miami. But Tannehill would most likely hold a clipboard next year if he goes to Miami.

The Dolphins have gone from a team of promise to a team of despair in a matter of weeks. The offseason began with the chance of landing the top coach on the market (Jeff Fisher) and one of the top free-agent quarterbacks (Peyton Manning or Flynn). It ended with Miami coming up empty-handed at both. The Dolphins also gutted the roster by trading Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall for pennies on the dollar and cutting leading tackler and safety Yeremiah Bell.

Miami looks like a team that is not only rebuilding, but tearing down the walls from within thanks to head-scratching decisions. The draft remains, but the Dolphins appear hard-pressed to better last year's record of 6-10. An 8-8 season would be considered a big upset with the way this roster currently stands.

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes Dolphins ownership made this offseason was selling their fans on false hopes and empty promises. Ross has very deep pockets and wanted to make a splash. But all we've seen is belly flops.

Who knows if Flynn could have solved Miami's quarterback dilemma and prevented this tailspin. The Dolphins obviously pegged Flynn as a big question mark, and their evaluation better be more accurate than the injury concerns six years ago with Brees.

Maybe this time the Dolphins dodged a bullet. Or maybe they shot themselves in the foot once again.

If Flynn proves to be a good quarterback in 2012 -- while Miami is still toiling with the David Garrards and Matt Moores of the world -- the Dolphins have no one to blame but themselves.

The Miami Dolphins will finally get their meeting with free-agent quarterback Peyton Manning -- sort of. According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Manning will meet with the head coaches of the Dolphins and Tennessee Titans away from the facilities in the next few days before making his final decision.

Here is my take on what this means:

• In my opinion, this sounds like a courtesy meeting from Manning. I don't think the quarterback is seriously considering the Dolphins at this point. It's no secret the Dolphins want Manning badly, and Manning is a really nice guy, and probably doesn't want to hurt people's feelings in the process. He already shut down several teams, including the New York Jets and Washington Redskins, who called his representatives. Manning taking the full tour in Denver and Arizona, and not in Miami, should say all the Dolphins need to know.
• This also doesn't help the league-wide perception that Miami has dysfunctional leadership. Miami's power pair of owner Stephen Ross and general manager Jeff Ireland do not have the best reputation around the league for various reasons. The most recent public handling this past year of former head coach Tony Sparano, particularly, drew ire around the league. Jim Harbaugh and Jeff Fisher both turned down Ross and Ireland, and it appears Manning will be the third big name to do so in a year.
• Finally, it's time for the Dolphins to resort to Plan B. The chances of Philbin, a rookie head coach, saying something magical to convince Manning to join Miami without even visiting the facilities are slim. The Dolphins appear all but out of the Manning sweepstakes. That means it's time for Miami to jump into the Flynn sweepstakes. Free agency starts in less than 24 hours. Miami must go back to the drawing board if it wants a new starting quarterback next season.

Two of Peyton Manning's most reliable weapons are now on the free-agent market. Former Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark -- both multi-time Pro Bowlers -- will wear new uniforms next season due to Indianapolis' big roster makeover.

Should the Miami Dolphins consider signing one or both players? This would be one sure way to appease Manning, who is considering Miami as one of several destinations.

Miami could use an upgrade at receiver opposite Brandon Marshall. Wayne is a good friend of Manning and lives in Miami, where he went to college. Wayne seems like a good fit. The Dolphins don't have a huge need at tight end. But Clark, 32, could make a decent tandem with Anthony Fasano. Clark does have an injury history the past two seasons that Miami needs to be careful of.

The Dolphins are expected to meet with Manning over the weekend, and Manning has all of the leverage. But this is a very fine line for Miami to walk with free agency approaching.

On one hand, the Dolphins need to be careful not to let a player who may or may not sign with the team dictate how they operate with free agents. On the other hand, this is Peyton Manning -- one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. If going after Wayne and/or Clark is what separates Miami from the other potential Manning suitors, it's probably general manager Jeff Ireland's best interest to swallow his pride (and offseason game plan) and go for it.

Miami's front office has spent months analyzing the draft and free agency, and there is a good chance spending money and cap room on two 30-something pass-catchers wasn't in the plans. But chasing a player the caliber of Manning is a high-stakes game where just about anything goes.

Every time a discussion is brought up about the Miami Dolphins' quarterback situation, the last name usually mentioned is last season's starter: Matt Moore.

The forgotten quarterback went 6-3 in his final nine games and set career highs in passing yards (2,497) and touchdowns (16). Yet, every time you see the Dolphins, the team’s brass is talking about finding Moore’s replacement and upgrading at the position.

Here is Miami general manager Jeff Ireland thoughts on Moore from the NFL combine:

"I talked to him the other day, asked him where he’s at. He’s doing good. He’s out in California. Just wanted to say hello. He fits here. We’re glad to have Matt Moore on our roster. Last nine games we went 6-3, that’s pretty good. We’ve got to utilize his strengths. He needs to clean up his footwork and clean up his reads. That’s what the staff is going to do -- he’s going to be a big part of our team."

Moore is on the line of being a very good backup but not a franchise quarterback. Miami is setting its goals high to build a championship team over the next few years. Moore can win enough games to be competitive, but he's not the right starting quarterback to win the Dolphins a Super Bowl.

Ireland and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross both know that, which explains their actions. They are exploring Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn, Robert Griffin III, or any other quarterback who can potentially take Miami to the next level.

Moore's job in 2012 will be similar to last season's. It will be up to Moore to stay ready in the event there is an injury to the starting quarterback and his number is called.