Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland has begun talks on contract extensions with offensive tackle Jake Long, linebacker Cameron Wake and wide receiver Brian Hartline. All three players are in the final year of their contracts. "Certainly, those players that we know that are coming up we all know we want to retain them. We have to make sure we're in a position to do that," owner Stephen Ross said.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has taken the time to defend his general manager, Jeff Ireland. "He's done a great job with the draft," Ross said. "[Ireland is] a great talent evaluator. He's as hard working as anybody I've ever met. He's a smart as they come on the football side. The idea is, what are you judging him on? "The team is certainly not the same team it was when he started here. It's a lot better," Ross said of Ireland, who took over a 1-15 franchise that won 11 games the next season. However, the Dolphins have produced three losing seasons since that 2008 playoff season. "When people feel like you should be there, that's when the greatest frustration level always comes. We're a lot closer," Ross said. "We got to get a break, but you play the game to win. I'm only interested in winning football games."

The Dolphins were believed to have the inside track on signing Matt Flynn, but the quarterback ended up signing with the Seahawks. Flynn played under new Miami coach Joe Philbin in Green Bay, where he was the offensive coordinator. Owner Stephen Ross had a conversation with a season ticket holder to explain the team's offseason. "[Ross] goes, 'If my coach wanted Matt Flynn, didn't you think he would be here?'" Jason Lawrence said. "'If my coach said, 'I want Matt Flynn as our starting quarterback next year,' he would be here, but I couldn't pay Matt Flynn $8 million to come here. If I end up getting him, it's a gamble ... and I'm still drafting a quarterback. I'm still looking for another option.'"

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross told fans on Friday that the team was prepared to cut Brandon Marshall before he was traded to the Bears earlier this month. "[Ross] said they had been shopping [Marshall] for a couple weeks," Jason Lawrence, a long-time season ticket holder, said. "Nobody would return their phone calls about getting him. If Chicago didn't take [Marshall] ... they would have ended up cutting him very shortly after that, and got nothing."

According to Adam Schefter, the Jaguars, Packers, Dolphins and Jets are candidates to trade for Tim Tebow. Schefter initially reported that the 49ers were a possibility for Tebow, but followed-up that they are not interested. The Broncos are exploring trade scenarios for Tebow following their agreement with Peyton Manning.

The Dolphins have signed David Garrard to a one-year contract. Garrard, a former starting quarterback for the Jaguars, has been told that he will be given a shot to win the team's starting job. Miami failed to sign Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn. They also hosted Alex Smith for a visit Sunday and may still consider signing him. "They didn't say for sure they were bringing another guy in, but they said it's a possibility, whether in the draft or whatever," Garrard said.

Yeremiah Bell has been released by the Dolphins in a move that creates $4.3 million in cap space. Bell was Miami's starting strong safety and captain last season. The Dolphins are likely to use the cap space to sign Alex Smith, or pass rusher Mark Anderson. Bell's cap hit was $6.2 million.

Having lost out on free agents Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn this offseason, Steelers safety Ryan Clark poked fun at the Dolphins. Responding to a previous tweet that claimed no one wants to sign with Miami, Clark tweeted: "No one! To believe I almost went there but it was easy decision not to." Clark considered playing for the Dolphins in 2010, even paying Miami a visit, before re-signing with the Steelers.

According to league sources, the Dolphins and Alex Smith are in negotiations on a contract. The assumption was that Smith would re-sign with the 49ers, but he has flirted with Miami ever since San Francisco was revealed to be pursuing Peyton Manning. Smith visited with the Dolphins over the weekend. Manning reportedly turned down Miami and they lost Matt Flynn, who joined the Seahawks. The two sides are believed to be talking about a multi-year deal worth about $8 million annually.

The Dolphins are pursuing quarterback David Garrard. According to a league source, Garrard, who's healthy after missing the 2011 season with a back injury, is set for a visit with Miami personnel.