Peyton Manning Rumors: Dolphins Destined for Package Deal with Reggie Wayne

Things are looking up for the Miami Dolphins, and not just because they finished the 2011 NFL season by winning six of their last nine games.

Rather, the Fins appear to be the front runners in the race to secure the services of Peyton Manning, who officially parted ways with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday. Reggie Wayne, Manning's former (and future?) teammate, told the "Michael Irvin Show" on WQAM Radio in Miami that he thinks South Beach would be an ideal destination for the future Hall-of-Famer:

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“I think it would be a good fit. He already has a crib here in South Florida. It’s less moving to do with the family. I think the Dolphins fans would love it that he would be here.

“I feel like they would be getting a gem. He is one of the best ever. It would be great to see him in a Dolphins uniform. I could see it happening. It would be one heck of a ball team, competing with Tom Brady in the AFC East.”

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Of course, Wayne's observations come as more than just those of a friend and fellow New Orleans native. After all, Wayne is himself a free agent who just so happened to benefit handsomely from Manning's brilliance, to the tune of seven consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons between 2004 and 2010.

As such, it should come as little surprise that Wayne, a University of Miami alum, is more than just cautiously optimistic about the possibility of reconnecting with Manning in south Florida next season:

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“I can see it happening. I am not opposed to it. He is a great worker. I consider myself a great worker. And together, great things can happen. I am available. My cell phone is working.

“It would be a story book ending. It could not get any better.”

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The Dolphins are probably thinking the same thing. They already have a solid team in place, with weapons for Manning to throw to (i.e. Brandon Marshall and Reggie Bush), an All-Pro tackle to watch his back (Jake Long) and a defense that ranked sixth in scoring last season.

Throw Manning and Wayne into the mix, and Miami might just have enough to win the AFC East, even with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots already reigning supreme in the division. Remember, the Pats went 13-3 and reached the Super Bowl despite sporting a historically dreadful defense, while the Dolphins were essentially dead in the water until Matt Moore breathed new life into the offense following Chad Henne's season-ending injury.

If a journeyman like Moore could spark the Fins to a big run, imagine what a quarterback of Manning's acumen could do, especially with Wayne by his side.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and GM Jeff Ireland probably are already and have to like what they "see".

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