Brandon Marshall

Exactly three weeks after undergoing hip surgery, wide receiver Brandon Marshall has returned to Miami Dolphins offseason workouts, according to Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel.

This confirms that the surgery Marshall underwent was indeed nothing major, and that he’ll be a full go in training camp, provided he doesn’t suffer any setbacks.

Though two hip surgeries in as many years might have an effect on Marshall in the long-term, for now Miami’s $50 million man is a-okay.

O.J. Atogwe

With Rams safety O.J. Atogwe scheduled to become a free-agent at midnight, there are a handful of teams that could be fighting over who lands the talented young defensive back.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, there’s a possibility that Atogwe could stay with the Rams, but teams such as the Dolphins, Vikings, and Cowboys could be interested in signing him.

Miami and Dallas’ interest has been noted previously, but this is the first time the Vikes have been linked to Atogwe. Safety is an area of need for them, and they’re only a couple of pieces away from making a serious push at a championship. Especially if Brett Favre returns for another season, which is looking likely.

It will be worth watching what O.J’s priorities are. Does he go for the cash? Does winning mean more to him? A little of both? I can’t imagine he’ll last long on the open market, so we should get some clarity within the next 24-48 hours.

UPDATE: Well, it’s 15 minutes past midnight. Per La Canfora, there’s no new agreement on a deal or tender between the Rams and Atogwe, officially making him an unrestricted free agent. Let the bidding begin.

UPDATE #2: Looks like the Dolphins, 49ers and Cowboys are out. Minnesota it is? Stay tuned.

UPDATE #3: Schefter reiterates that the Cowboys, Eagles, 49ers and Lions aren’t in play for Atogwe. He mentions the Vikings, Dolphins, and Rams as teams that are in the mix.

Jared Odrick

Miami Dolphins defensive end Jared Odrick officially has representation.

Odrick, the Dolphins first-round draft pick out of Penn State, has signed with notorious superagent Drew Rosenhaus and his agency, Rosenhaus Sports today.

Rosenhaus has over 100 NFL clients, including players such as Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens, Kellen Winslow Jr., Jeremy Shockey, Frank Gore, DeSean Jackson, and many others.

What does this move mean for Odrick? Well, he now has a shrewd negotiator on his side, who’s unafraid to make headlines. Odrick made a smart business move siding with Rosenhaus, and I’m sure he’ll get a fair contract as the 28th overall pick.

Phillip Merling

The laundry list of Dolphins in trouble with the law this offseason keeps growing.

Omar Kelly, of the Sun-Sentinel, has confirmed that Miami Dolphins defensive end Phillip Merling was arrested last night after a domestic dispute with his girlfriend; his pregnant girlfriend, I should say.

Some reports have indicated that he was booked for aggravated battery. Nevertheless, beating on a woman, let alone a pregnant woman, is about as low as you can get.

If the hearsay is true, you’ve got to think NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has a suspension in mind for Merling, as this would be a clear violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.

Merling, the 32nd overall pick in the 2008 draft, has just 59 tackles and 3.5 sacks notched. His starting spot may have slipped away.

Justin Smiley

While it was originally reported yesterday that former Dolphins offensive lineman Justin Smiley was traded, he’d have to pass a physical before it would be made official.

A day later, a passed physical, and Smiley can now drive up I-95 to join his new team in Jacksonville.

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald confirmed the trade today.

While Smiley’s had nagging shoulder problems, which many thought would make passing a physical difficult, he still is a viable swing lineman who could enter the game in a pinch.

The Jags didn’t address their offensive line much in either free-agency or the draft, so paying the low price for Smiley (most likely a seventh-round pick in next year’s draft) was worth it. I like this move for them if he can stay healthy.

Patrick Crayton

Fresh off of the news that wide receiver Patrick Crayton is holding out of OTA’s for the second week in a row, Dallas is starting to make calls to see if they can find a trade partner. They’ve apparently started with the Fins.

The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson is reporting that the Dallas Cowboys have contacted Miami about a possible trade for Crayton.

Unfortunately for Crayton, and the ‘Boys, the Dolphins interest is described as “noncommittal”, as the furthest it went was seeing just how interested, if at all, they were.

Jackson goes on to speculate that talks could heat up should one of Miami’s receivers gets injured, but to this point a trade is nowhere close to happening.

On to the next one for Big D.

Brandon Marshall

While one star player from the Dolphins looks to be coming back strong, another might have suffered a setback.

Per Armando Salguero, of the Miami Herald, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano admitted today that receiver Brandon Marshall underwent a “routine” surgery on an unknown body part and may not be back until training camp. At the very least, it looks as if Marshall will miss all of the team’s remaining OTAs and minicamps.

Without knowing what was operated on, it’s hard to gauge how much time he’ll miss or if it will linger into the regular season.

Marshall, who was acquired by Miami a little over a month ago, shouldn’t be affected by the absence from the team activities, though he needs as many reps as possible to develop chemistry with quarterback Chad Henne.

UPDATE: The surgery was most likely done on a lower body part, as Marshall was catching and throwing the ball on the day it was done. Sparano said Marshall had this procedure to “clean things up”. He will be out until the start of training camp.

UPDATE #2: According to ESPN, the body part was Marshall’s hip. This now makes two hip surgeries in two years, which could be a cause for concern going forward. Sparano didn’t sound sure when asked if he’d be back for the start of training camp.

Ronnie Brown

Looks like one Dolphin will be good to go sooner than originally planned.

Per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, running back Ronnie Brown was working on the practice field this morning.

This comes just six months after Brown had Lisfranc surgery stemming from a season-ending injury suffered against the Panthers on November 19.

Quite an accomplishment for Brown as some have questioned whether he’d be ready by the start of training camp, and even then there were doubts that he’d be 100%.

Brown, who’s a restricted free-agent, didn’t do anything major; just took some Wildcat snaps, and the other basics. Still, Dolphins president Bill Parcells must be breathing a sigh of relief.

Nice pick for the Dolphins – OLB Koa Misi from Utah.

Versatile linebacker who should fit in well in Miami’s 3-4. High motor type guy who can rush the quarterback.

The Dolphins need help on Defense. They ranked in the bottom third of the league for total yards allowed and total passing yards allowed. Let’s see if the address that now.

DT, Jared Odrick out of Penn State. 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year/Defensive Lineman of the Year. Nice pick for Miami. Tenacious, hungry for the QB, high endurance, hard hitter. Good size. Parcells is leaning back in his chair now. Arms resting on his rotund middle. Smiling.