The Dolphins, who have the eighth overall pick, aren't too motivated to trade up to No. 2 and select quarterback Robert Griffin III. A team source told The South Florida Sun-Sentinel that the Rams are asking for a bundle of picks equivalent to the value of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

Dolphins fans want the team to acquire QB Peyton Manning, and they're using a billboard and website to campaign. The manningtomiami.com site is advertised on a billboard along an Interstate near the Dolphins' complex. Under an image of Manning about to throw a pass in a Dolphins uniform, the sign reads "MANNING TO MIAMI.com."

The Dolphins appear to lack any interest in re-signing quarterback Chad Henne. Miami doesn't plan to make Henne an offer when he becomes a free agent in March, according to sources. Henne, who went 13-18 in four seasons, began 2011 as the starter, only to have his season end after four games because of a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Mike Sherman is confident that he has inherited a Dolphins team that is close to competing in the AFC. "I don't feel like I'm getting old, but my wife tells me I am, and I want that opportunity before it"s all over for me, whenever that is," Sherman said. "Joe [Philbin] assured me that [owner Stephen Ross] is very excited about our football team, very excited about winning a Super Bowl. And he convinced me at our dinner and conversation that is a top priority. "I watched the tape, and I don't think we're that far away. We're missing a couple of pieces here and there but I think we have a chance to build upon what [general manager] Jeff Ireland has put together here. After watching the tape, I think we get a couple of pieces here and there, I think we'll be close."

Running back Jerome Messam, a 1,000-yard rusher in the Canadian Football League last year, has signed with the Dolphins. The Canadian Press reported that Messam signed a three-year deal.

Freddie Solomon, the former Dolphins and 49ers wide receiver who became known as "Fabulous Freddie" and committed himself to community service for decades, died Monday. He was 59. The 49ers announced the passing of Solomon, who lived in Florida and had battled cancer over the past year.

The Dolphins have signed running back Jerome Messam. Messam enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos in 2011. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian back in November. "Yes, it's true. Jeff Ireland (Dolphins general manager) phoned me late afternoon and said they had decided to offer Jerome a contract, but their proposal would not include a signing bonus," Eskimos general manager Eric Tillman said. "We weren't positive that proposal would be accepted, but in the past couple of hours, Darren Gill, Jerome's agent, confirmed they had discussed the situation and would be accepting the offer from Miami. "Obviously, Jerome departs with our best wishes and our focus immediately shifts to free agency as a terrific opportunity to improve our club in the coming days."

The Bills and Dolphins will transition from the 3-4 to the 4-3 in 2012, which will likely impact their draft plans. "The feeling was that Buffalo perhaps had an edge in personnel ready for the conversion, but that the Bills and Dolphins still had some work to do, and that their drafts would reflect the change," according to CBS Sports.

Ricky Williams opted to retire on Tuesday after a fairly productive season as Ray Rice's backup in Baltimore. A text-message exchange with Bill Parcells helped Williams make the decision. Parcells wrote: "How you doing? I'm just checking up on you." "I had a great year," Williams texted back. "Body felt good. When I got to play, had a blast. Can't wait till next year." Parcells then texted: "That's good. Don't chase this thing too long. You can contribute in other ways." "It kind of opened my mind to allow the football part of myself to see the bigger picture," Williams said of the exchange.

Ricky Williams has decided to retire after 11 seasons in the NFL. "The NFL has been an amazing page in this chapter of my life," Williams said in a statement. "I pray that all successive adventures offer me the same potential for growth, success and most importantly fun. I want to thank all my fans, teammates, coaches and supporters for the strength they've given me to overcome so much." Williams briefly retired once before, missing the 2004 season. He was facing a four-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy before he shockingly announced he was leaving the game.