Latest news and updates regarding the Miami Dolphins and free agency

The legal tampering period began on Saturday at 12:00 noon EST and that means we have been hearing about lots of interest and leaks throughout the league. While it's no secret that teams and agents have been communicating with each other since the NFL Combine, agents can now inform members of the media about their clients so they can help spread the word and gain leverage in various negotiations.

First, let's begin with what everyone wants to know and that's Ndamukong Suh. Negotiations between the Dolphins and Suh continue to go well. While no deal is official, all indications are that it is headed in that direction. The headquarters in Davie is basically on lock-down, with little  to no information flowing out of it. I haven't been able to get any information from anyone since Thursday night and neither have members of the media, including Armando Salguero and others. 

In addition, I spoke to one person who covers the league as a whole and they said their Dolphins sources have cut off communication as well. When an organization goes silent like this, it usually means they are headed into the sensitive areas of the negotiations and neither side want any information coming out. This appears to be what is happening. 

There are other teams that have popped up, including the San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars. I am told that it's really only between the Dolphins and the Detroit Lions. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also mentioned the same thing. I have also been told that the Lions do not plan to match any offer that is made to Suh and they are ready to move on and pursue other players, barring a last minute change of heart on their end.

The team and Suh's camp still have ground to cover and things can fall apart at any time. However, the Dolphins - more specifically, Stephen Ross and Mike Tannebaum - want to get this deal done and I have been told they will put their best foot forward to make it happen. Miami is Suh's first choice and if the Dolphins have no problem meeting his demands, this deal will be officially announced on Tuesday shortly after 4:00 PM EST.

Make no mistake about it - the Dolphins are in the driver's seat and Suh is theirs to lose. While the Dolphins have been chasing Suh all week, they also have been working on several other players and positions. Here's everything we know so far just a few hours into the three-day negotiation window.

• The Dolphins kicked things off by re-signing defensive tackle AJ Francis and safety Jordan Kovacs. The team is genuinely excited about what Francis can bring to the table and will look for him to recover from last year's injury. Kovacs will compete for a roster spot and look to contribute on special teams once again.

• Linebacker Philip Wheeler was released with a post-June 1 designation. This allows them to save more money than if they just cut him outright. More specifically, they will save around $3 million dollars.

• Today was the first day for teams to begin negotiating with tight end Charles Clay. According to various reports, the Buffalo Bills are interested but no offer or negotiations have taken place.

• According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins have reached out to the agents of several defensive backs, including Saints CB Patrick Robinson and Bills S Da'Norris Searcy. 

• CB Kareem Jackson re-signed with the Houston Texans. The Dolphins were interested in signing him.

• As of press time, CB Brandon Flowers was working to re-sign with the Chargers. He was another cornerback the Dolphins were going to target this weekend and when the official signing period begins on Tuesday.

• There has been no talk about wide receivers on Saturday but the Dolphins don't appear to be going after an elite one due to their heavy interest in Suh. It was originally rumored that they would target Jeremy Maclin of the Philadelphia Eagles but they are now committing their money to Suh. Instead, they will target Cecil Shorts, Eddie Royal, Michael Crabtree and perhaps a few other middle-tier players.

• Add defensive end to the list of positions the team is looking at for depth purposes. No top-tier talent is expected at this position but the Dolphins would like to certainly add some competition.

Information is coming out at a rapid pace and will continue to do so over the next week. Be sure to keep coming back to PhinManiacs.com on a daily basis. To get more up to date and instant information along with quick hit analysis, be sure to follow me om Twitter: @PhinManiacs.