NFL Free Agency: Miami Dolphins Call Uncle in Peyton Manning Sweepstakes

As the whirlwinds of speculation and innuendo grow around the future home of free-agent quarterback Peyton Manning, it appears that at least one team may have had enough, as the Miami Dolphins are reportedly set to host Green Bay Packers backup and free-agency consolation prize Matt Flynn on Friday, according to a tweet by ESPN's Adam Schefter.

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Filed to ESPN: Dolphins have arranged for Matt Flynn to visit Miami after his visit to Seattle. Miami's chances of landing Peyton dwindling.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2012

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A report in the Palm Beach Post not only confirmed that Flynn is set to visit South Florida, but it would also seem to acknowledge that the Dolphins are sobering to the fact that they have fallen well off the pace in the race to obtain the services of the four-time NFL MVP.

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Peyton Manning never has had the Miami Dolphins at the top of his list of suitors, according to several reports this week.

Now, owner Stephen Ross and General Manager Jeff Ireland might be closer than ever to acknowledging that.

With Manning likely to choose among Tennessee, Denver and Arizona, the Dolphins on Thursday turned their attention further to Matt Flynn. The former backup quarterback in Green Bay is scheduled to visit the Dolphins right after he wraps up his visit Friday with the Seattle Seahawks.

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Post writer Ben Volin goes even farther afterward, stating that the Dolphins, who were among the early favorites in the media to potentially procure the services of the future of the Hall-of-Fame signal-caller, were never seriously considered by Manning.

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A source close to the situation said Dolphins management had to enlist the help of Dan Marino just to secure a meeting with Manning.

The Dolphins' brass did not deal with Manning directly and was frustrated last week when it could not pin down a meeting with him through his agents at Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

With the clock ticking, the Dolphins asked Marino - their legendary former quarterback and a golfing partner of Manning's - to call him personally to persuade him to meet with the team.

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It wasn't long ago that the Miami Dolphins were "all in" on Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn was an afterthought despite his familiarity with new Miami head coach Joe Philbin.

Now, with the Dolphins having crapped out on Manning, the team appears to be ready to shift its chips to Matt Flynn, but given the team's track record when pursuing free-agent players and coaches the past few seasons, fans of the 'Fins have to be wondering why the team keeps not only whiffing on big names, but whiffing so badly.

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