Miami Dolphins: Is Jeff Ireland Looking at Elvis Dumervil?

Elvis Dumervil wants to play for the Miami Dolphins, but is the interest mutual? 

The news of Dumervil's interest in the Dolphins came from his ex-agent, Marty Magid, as reported by Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.  When he made the statement, Magid was Dumervil's agent, but he was fired by the ex-Bronco shortly afterward (per Mike Garafolo of USA Today).

On Friday, Dumervil and Magid failed to fax a signed contract to the Denver Broncos by the 4 p.m. ET deadline set to prevent a 2013 salary cap hit of $13.6 million.  Dumervil would have received a guaranteed $8 million in 2013, if the contract would have been delivered in time.

Dumervil is in an unusual situation, and Jeff Ireland was served an opportunity on a platter.

Dumervil was born and raised in South Florida, eventually playing football for Miami Jackson High School.  His ties to the Little Haiti community in Miami are the obvious reason for his interest in being a Dolphin.

The Miami Dolphins were seventh in the NFL last year with 42 team sacks, but 15 of those sacks came from Cameron Wake.  The other Miami defensive end, Jared Odrick, produced only five sacks in 2012.  Dumervil is four years older than the 25-year-old Odrick but produced 11 sacks and six forced fumbles in 2012.

Dumervil does not have ideal height (5'11"), but the 260-pound Louisville product has strength and explosiveness.  Dumervil has 63.5 sacks in six seasons with Denver and led the NFL with 17 sacks in 2009.

Dumervil would definitely upgrade the Miami defensive line, but how big of a contract does he desire?  A hometown discount could give the Miami Dolphins an unexpected gift on top of an already-fruitful offseason.