2012 NFL Free Agents: Why Miami Dolphins Must Sign Matt Flynn

The clock is ticking in South Beach to sign a free agent quarterback, so now is the time for the Miami Dolphins to go full-out for former Green Bay Packers signal-caller Matt Flynn.

Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network reported earlier today that the Dolphins were recently informed that Peyton Manning doesn't see them as a viable option. Manning is understood to have told the team that he will not be joining the Dolphins in 2012.

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Peyton Manning personally contacted Dolphins on Thursday to advise them he wouldn't be signing with Miami, multiple sources have told me.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) March 16, 2012"

With the Manning hoopla out of the way, it is time for the Dolphins to go and get the guy that they should have from the very start.

According to Omar Kelly and Izzy Gould of the Sun Sentinel, "Flynn has a visit scheduled with Miami this weekend, if he makes it out of Seattle without a deal."

However, according to Yahoo's Jason Cole, while Flynn sees the Dolphins as his ideal landing spot, the two may not be seeing eye-to-eye on a contract.

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Matt Flynn still wants to sign with the Dolphins, but the team is low-balling the offer, thinking he'll take it just to play for Philbin.

— Jason Cole (@JasonColeYahoo) March 16, 2012"

It is no secret that Flynn has a history with new Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin, who was the offensive coordinator of the Packers from 2007-11. That being said, it is hard to imagine him taking less just to play for the coach that he saw success with in minimal time.

Indeed, there is no reason he should have to suffer for the team's benefit.

Flynn doesn't deserve big-time money, but he definitely deserves a reasonable contract. Who knows what he is expecting right now—nobody has stated what is on the table.

Either way, these two sides need to make things work out. Otherwise, Flynn may not find success elsewhere, and the Dolphins may be without a quarterback who will fit Philbin's system.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.
Follow @Real_Jeff_Chase