Report: Fins Had To Have Marino Convince Manning To Meet With Team
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Dolphins were once thought to be high on the potential list of landing spots for free agent quarterback Peyton Manning. But, as it turns out, that may have never been the case.
According to Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post, the Dolphins front office couldn't get in contact with Manning after his release and management had to get legendary former Fins quarterback Dan Marino to just land a meeting with Manning.
Marino was able to do what the Dolphins front office couldn't and convinced Manning to meet with the Dolphins, which he did on Monday for several hours. The Dolphins were the only team, however, that Manning forced to come to him and that he did not visit.
According to Volin, the Dolphins' brass did not deal with Manning directly in the time before the meeting on Monday. Neither general manager Jeff Ireland, nor owner Stephen Ross, were involved in the meeting with Monday, only coaches, according to Volin.
But, Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network reported that Ross and Ireland were in the meeting with Manning in Indianapolis.
For Ross and Ireland, it's just the latest embarrassing pursuit of a high-profile coach or player that has come up short. Ross and Ireland famously pursued Jim Harbaugh and Jeff Fisher to coach the Dolphins and were rejected by both of them in embarrassing fashion.
Ross and Ireland's dealings with Harbaugh, while still having Tony Sparano on staff, have painted both in a very negative light around the league. But, it's unknown why Manning never really considered the Dolphins other than being unfamiliar with Philbin and his staff.
The Dolphins have turned their attention to free agent quarterback Matt Flynn. The Seattle Seahawks are hosting Flynn before he comes to Miami, which means Flynn may never come to Miami if the Seahawks blow him away with an offer.
If the Fins swing and miss on both Manning and Flynn, the apathy Fins fans currently have for the team will only get worse and season ticket sales will continue to suffer.
