NFL Free Agent Rumors: Peyton Manning & Reggie Wayne Would Make Miami Contenders

A healthy Peyton Manning in Miami with Brandon Marshall and Reggie Wayne is a formidable offense. Throw in the versatility of Reggie Bush and the power-running style of Daniel Thomas, and it gets imposing. You want to see it get even more scary?

Imagine rookie Riley Reiff at RT next to Jake Long at LT—that is downright terrifying. There are a few things that have to happen first, but that scenario is very possible.

Reggie Wayne is pulling no punches about where he'd like to play in 2012, and who he'd like to be his QB. Omar Kelly of SunSentinel.com quotes Wayne shortly after Manning was released from the Colts:

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"I can see it, and I’m definitely not opposed to it,” Wayne said about teaming up with Manning in Miami. “He’s a great worker. I consider myself a great worker, and when you put great workers together good things happen. Me being in his trail to Miami, I would definitely love it! I’m totally available. My phone is working…I’m ready for anything that comes! I definitely see that in the mix."

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He sounds as excited as Dolphins fans probably are at the thought of that roster. Much of this depends on Manning's health of course, but assuming he's right, the offense would be pretty impressive.

Wayne came off of what was a down year for him, and he still had 75 receptions for 950 yards. Brandon Marshall is one of the game's elite receivers. Last year, without a solid signal-caller, he had 82 receptions with 1,214 yards receiving.

Now, imagine that setup with Manning under center. The backs are nice complements with Bush's speed and Thomas' power and versatility. The Dolphins should have Riley Reiff there for them at the eighth pick in the NFL draft. With Long already in place, the Dolphins offensive line would be young and talented on the edges.

Of course, we know defense is still huge. The Dolphins were already solid on that side of the ball. They were third against the run, but they have to shore up their passing game, which was ranked 25th in the NFL.

Still, I like the Dolphins defense because it's a solid unit. Nothing helps a defense like an offense that can sustain a long drive and take pressure off them by scoring points. This offense could do both.

Many may question how new head coach Joe Philbin, an offensive guru, will mesh with such a huge figure like Manning. I think ownership would talk to Philbin and makes sure he knows that Peyton must be allowed to be Peyton.

Good head coaches conform to their talent, not vice versa—and what talent!

There are still a few shoes that have to drop before this happens, but if it does, the Dolphins could be playing in February.