The Dolphins and wide receiver Brian Hartline have apparently moved from a general sense of optimism to something approaching tangible.

According to Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com, the Dolphins are close to an agreement on a deal with the free-agent-to-be, on a multi-year deal worth between $6 million and $6.5 million a season.

The Dolphins have plenty of cap room to work with, even after franchising defensive tackle Randy Starks yesterday, and Hartline was viewed as a priority.

He’s coming off a career-best 74-catch season, and they’re also looking for another receiving threat for him to complement.

typical!!!!! lets overpay for a non playmaker/mediocre WR.  You could spend 1 million more a year and get greg jennings.  Prepare ourselves for another mediocre season.

I hear you. Although I do want hartline for our #2 I'm hoping it will between 4-5 mill

jrockwalker24 wrote: typical!!!!! lets overpay for a non playmaker/mediocre WR.  You could spend 1 million more a year and get greg jennings.  Prepare ourselves for another mediocre season.

Really? And you know that, how? Please...

jrockwalker24 wrote: typical!!!!! lets overpay for a non playmaker/mediocre WR.  You could spend 1 million more a year and get greg jennings.  Prepare ourselves for another mediocre season.

Greg Jennings wants 11-12 million, which probably means he wants 8-9 million for an aging and injured WR.

Very happy to hear that we're keeping the favorite target of our young and developing QB.

Bigjoe13 wrote: I hear you. Although I do want hartline for our #2 I'm hoping it will between 4-5 mill

With the increase in the salary cap his salary will average out to about 5 million per year.

@ 6 million per this season hartline would be making about 4.8% of the 123 million salary cap. At a 2% increase per year to the cap, his cap hit would be down to about 4% by the end of his contract. It might be a little more now, but it averages out of the life of the contract. It will be a little less at the end.

Not upset by this news.  Hartline is a strong #2 WR and so long as upgrades to the other WR position is brought in in FA and the draft I won't mind this at all.  If he is expected to be the #1 guy however, i won't be amused.

DantesDolfanInferno wrote: Not upset by this news.  Hartline is a strong #2 WR and so long as upgrades to the other WR position is brought in in FA and the draft I won't mind this at all.  If he is expected to be the #1 guy however, i won't be amused.

Right as long as he's paid like a #2 OK.  If he's paid like a #1, not OK.  Because then what do we pay the actual #1?  And do we then have enough to even pay the actual #1?  And if no, then Hartline is the #1, and like you I am not amused at that point.

Marx8385 wrote:

DantesDolfanInferno wrote: Not upset by this news.  Hartline is a strong #2 WR and so long as upgrades to the other WR position is brought in in FA and the draft I won't mind this at all.  If he is expected to be the #1 guy however, i won't be amused.

Right as long as he's paid like a #2 OK.  If he's paid like a #1, not OK.  Because then what do we pay the actual #1?  And do we then have enough to even pay the actual #1?  And if no, then Hartline is the #1, and like you I am not amused at that point.

A #1 WR is going to be making 9+.  So I guess everything here is right on target.  

I'm with Dante.  The money we're paying makes it clear he's a #2 guy, so where's the plan for Mr. #1?

This is GOOD NEWS people. Hartline would be one of those guys we let go, and then watch him shine on another team. for the past few years, he has forced to be the #1 with no quality counter part, somewhat okay quarterbacks and terrible coaching. Next season, we will have a true #1 in front of him, a 2nd year coach who proved himself to me last year and a returning Tennehill. I'm excited! Sign a true #1, draft a new speedster with hands and we are on our way!

Hartline deserved a raise that's for sure, there's no guarantee we land either Jennings or Wallace. If he got a 2 or 3 year deal I think it would say we just can't afford to loose you at this time, if it's a 5 or 6 year deal there saying there happy as hell with his production and we want you around for the long haul... I imagine how the contract is structured will also be telling to some extent..

Hope there plan to get a couple of receivers with some size.

rotoworld say 6 to 6.5 million way too much money

mtdew wrote: rotoworld say 6 to 6.5 million way too much money

For a #2 receiver?  It's about average.  I don't really care what a rotoworld says.  He's an important part of this team moving forward and if you overpay to keep him then you do it, so long as it isn't stupid money.  6 - 6.5 per year is a bit much but it isn't stupid money.

Actually you guys skipped out a very important part of that story guys it wasn't only on hartline we are actually trying to keep Chris Clemons here as well which i applaud.. He isn't flashy but he is not a liability against the run 99 tackles and he gave up few big plays. It also will fill an area of need for the upcoming draft. 

He shouldn't be overly expensive and the upside for him is still there he is young and getting better.. Give him year 2 to start here and keep the familiarity with Jones who had a great season intact. He is pretty darn fast for a FS 4.3 or 4.4 speed so if he can make some plays i could see him developing into a top FS as well.

Story bleacher report 

The Miami Dolphins have a number of prominent players with expiring contracts this offseason, but the question has been which players are the most important. It seems we may have our answer.

Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald says the Dolphins are prioritizing extensions for safety Chris Clemons and wide receiver Brian Hartline.

Behind the scenes, the front office has discretely targeted at least two starters—Brian Hartline and Chris Clemons—they hope to lock into contract extensions before the NFL’s new year begins on March 12. The club has had extensive discussions with Hartline and Clemons about a return in 2013, according to a league source.

Gonzorot wrote: Actually you guys skipped out a very important part of that story guys it wasn't only on hartline we are actually trying to keep Chris Clemons here as well which i applaud.. He isn't flashy but he is not a liability against the run 99 tackles and he gave up few big plays. It also will fill an area of need for the upcoming draft. 

He shouldn't be overly expensive and the upside for him is still there he is young and getting better.. Give him year 2 to start here and keep the familiarity with Jones who had a great season intact. He is pretty darn fast for a FS 4.3 or 4.4 speed so if he can make some plays i could see him developing into a top FS as well.

Story bleacher report 

The Miami Dolphins have a number of prominent players with expiring contracts this offseason, but the question has been which players are the most important. It seems we may have our answer.

Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald says the Dolphins are prioritizing extensions for safety Chris Clemons and wide receiver Brian Hartline.

Behind the scenes, the front office has discretely targeted at least two starters—Brian Hartline and Chris Clemons—they hope to lock into contract extensions before the NFL’s new year begins on March 12. The club has had extensive discussions with Hartline and Clemons about a return in 2013, according to a league source.

"He had 99 problems but a b'tch ain't one..."  Sorry, I had to.  I couldn't resist ...

Gonz you make a good point.  Clemons is solid if unspectacular and should stay as well.  I think they sign him to a new 3 or 4 year deal, not stupid money.  Hartline should come in at around 6 million this season then see him get 6.5, 6.5, and maybe 7 in the last year of a 4 year deal.  Like someone mentioned before, next off-season the Cap rises as it does over the next 4 years so backloading a deal makes more sense as there will be more money to spend in a year or two on salaries.

I'm torn on Clemons. I think he is dependable and reliable, and he and Jones will only benefit from continuing to build the chemistry they've developed. But Clemons lacks the ball-hawking instinct, and Coyle designs his defense for the safeties, which was one reason Jones was so successful. If we gave him another ball-hawk, either Reed, Gholdson or maybe even Cyprien, we could possibly generate twice as many turnovers.

Jschwald wrote: I'm torn on Clemons. I think he is dependable and reliable, and he and Jones will only benefit from continuing to build the chemistry they've developed. But Clemons lacks the ball-hawking instinct, and Coyle designs his defense for the safeties, which was one reason Jones was so successful. If we gave him another ball-hawk, either Reed, Gholdson or maybe even Cyprien, we could possibly generate twice as many turnovers.

While i like dashon goldson who i would  sign i would say no on Cyprien or Reed. Clemons has familiarity with this system while also possessing the youth to get better and speed to catch almost any WR. Last year was his first full season starting in Coyle's defense.. Id like to see what he can do with some more comfort and knowledge in the system.he may not make many turnovers but he doesn't make many mistakes on his watch and is an above average tackler. I think he would be a great value signing.

Anyways back to the point HARTLINE RESIGNED.. 5 years 30 million 12.5 guaranteed. So thats an annual salary of 6 million and im sure it will work out to slightly less then that as incentives and other things are added to those contracts.. Im happy with that solid signing, Now to the big question to Wallace or not to Wallace..

Dolphins keep Brian Hartline

Good to see us bring him back - it'll help Tannehill adjust to his new offensive weapons to have the continuity of Hartline. I wonder what the cap hit is.

If we had 2 or 3 other good receivers on this team I don't believe he could of hit us this hard. Can't blame a guy for taking advantage of the situation the Dolphins find themselves in. It will be interesting to see his contract and exactly what he makes his first 3 years, that probably tell you how much he is really making.

It good Tannehill got him back there is a comfort level there, Add Wallace, Keenan Allen and Justin Hunter next year and see what shakes out.

Seems like a good deal to me. I would like to know how the 12 mil in guaranteed money is set up. If he gets it up front or over the first 2 seasons then its good and in 2 seasons if he hasn't lived up to the deal we cut him and don't have much dead money.