Chad Ochocinco

Ochocinco, whose name change won't become official until July 4, changed the name on his Twitter account to reflect the return to his former identity. He then took to the Twittersphere to contact NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and forewarn him about his actions to come in 2012.

"Dad… I love u but I will be a problem this year.. all fine money this year can be collected from @Miami Dolphins ‪#management," Ochocinco said in the tweet.

The six-time Pro Bowl receiver had been fined a number of times over his 10 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, for a variety of reasons including excessive celebrations as well as, coincidentally, changing the name on the back of his jersey.

Ochocinco, 34, was released by the Patriots on June 7, after spending one season in New England. The Miami, Fla. native headed home after his release but wasn't unemployed long. Ocho signed a one-year contract to join the Miami Dolphins less than a week later on June 11, hoping to improve on the 15 catches and lone touchdown that he produced in 2011.

Over his 11 year NFL career, Ochocinco has caught 766 passes for 11,059 yards and 68 touchdowns.

@nflcommish Dad… I love u but I will be a problem this year..all fine money this year can be collected from@MiamiDolphins #management

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) June 25, 2012

Photo via Twitter/@RoseannaFranco10

Chad Ochocinco

After a solid workout with the Miami Dolphins on Monday afternoon, Ochocinco has signed a one-year deal to keep his talents in South Beach for the upcoming season, according to OCNN.

The report from the receiver's own Ocho Cinco News Network stated that Ocho himself confirmed the signing.

"We just got confirmation from Chad Ochocinco that he has just signed with the Miami Dolphins," the website said late Monday night. "The 6 time Pro Bowler will now get a chance to finish his career in his home state. More details as they arrive."

The talented receiver had worked out for the Dolphins earlier in the day, and there were reports that Miami head coach Joe Philbin was interested in signing the troubled wideout. Running back Reggie Bush also expressed his interest in bringing Ocho on board.

Ochocinco played in 16 games for the Patriots last season, including the Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants. The 34-year-old caught 15 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown in his lone season in New England.

Ochocinco also changed his Twitter profile to indicate that he had joined the Dolphins.

Check out a photo of Ocho's new Twitter bio, below.

Photo via Twitter/@Ochocinco

Chad Ochocinco

After plenty of rumors over the weekend, Ochocinco had a tryout with the Miami Dolphins on Monday and could be close to landing a deal to stay in his home state. Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin confirmed the workout on Monday.

"We're doing our homework," Philbin said of the workout, according to CBSSports.com.

Ochocinco struggled during his lone season in New England, catching just 15 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown in 2011. The big knock on Ocho during his lone season with the Pats was his inability to learn the complex Patriots playbook.

Philbin, the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator for the past five seasons (2007-2011), is also known for running a rather complicated system which could potentially pose issues for Ochocinco.

Dolphins running back Reggie Bush didn't seem too concerned about the receiver's struggles with the playbook, though, instead expressing his interest in Ochocinco joining the roster.

"We would love to have him," Bush told Greg Rosenthal of NFL.com. "I think he's got a lot left."

Bush's opinion in the matter won't likely hold much weight, but if the former Heisman trophy winner is pulling for Ocho in South Beach then it's likely there are more Dolphins feeling similarly.

Ochocinco has been selected to six Pro Bowl teams in his 11-year career. He has made 766 catches in the NFL with over 11,000 yards and 67 touchdowns.

And while the Pats could do so via the draft, they have expressed interest in free agent safety Yeremiah Bell, according to the Sun Sentinel.

Bell, who has played his entire eight-year career with Miami, was released earlier this offseason to create $4.3 million in salary cap relief for the Dolphins.

The 34-year-old has eclipsed the 100-tackle mark each of the past four seasons, racking up 107 in 2011 while also totaling two sacks, an interception and four passes defended.

Bell, a Pro Bowler in 2009, has reportedly also drawn interest from the Eagles. And while the Sun Sentinel reports that the Dolphins have not ruled out re-signing the veteran, they don't seem too motivated to get a deal done before the draft.

Guyton will visit the Dolphins next week, according to a source. It's unclear if a signing is imminent, but the Dolphins want to get a closer look at Guyton, who spent four seasons with the Patriots.

Guyton was a very valuable role player for his first three years in New England, but things went south in 2011. His playing time decreased later in the season, and he was a healthy scratch for all three playoff games. Because of that, sources told NESN.com last month Guyton would look for an opportunity elsewhere.

Guyton has plenty of raw athletic talent, and a change of scenery could help him revive his career.

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Tim Tebow

Several teams have already discussed a trade — either internally or with the Broncos — for the polarizing quarterback, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Those teams reportedly include the Jets, Dolphins, Jaguars and Packers.

The discussions when it comes to the Jets, though, might not have much traction, as Schefter reports that they're categorized as "a long shot" to land Tebow.

The Dolphins might also be an unrealistic destination, as The Miami Herald's Armando Salguero reports that multiple team sources have indicated to him that Tebow is not an option.

The Broncos are determined to trade Tebow sooner rather than later after inking Peyton Manning to a five-year, $96 million deal, according to Schefter. A Tebow trade reportedly could happen by the end of the week — if not sooner.

Manning stressed during his news conference on Tuesday that he would welcome Tebow as a teammate if the Broncos elected to retain him, but it's looking less and less likely that that'll be the case.

But while Manning's media frenzy has soaked up all the attention, there are plenty of quality quarterbacks still getting scooped up off the open market.

Matt Flynn was the most recent example of such a player.The 26-year-old quarterback has finally locked in with a new team, signing a three-year, $26 million contract, including $10 million guaranteed, with the Seattle Seahawks.

After spending four seasons as a backup in Green Bay, Flynn finally emerged as a viable NFL starter during the past two years and found himself being pursued by a number of needy teams this offseason.

In 2010, Flynn started just one game for the eventual Super Bowl champions Packers but he was sensational in his performance. While Aaron Rodgers sat out with concussion symptoms, Flynn started the Packs' Week 15 game in a 31-27 loss to the New England Patriots and lit up the stat sheet, completing 24-of-37 for 251 yards and three touchdowns.

Flynn started another game in Week 17 this season, while Green Bay rested Rodgers and the rest of the team's starters. The former seventh-round pick, Flynn, was dominant yet again hitting on 31-of-44 passes and posting career-highs with 480 yards and six touchdowns in the Packers 45-41 win.

The Miami Dolphins were originally rumored as the heavy favorite to land the LSU graduate, as former Packers' offensive coordinator Joe Philbin recently took the Dolphins head coaching job. But Miami's pursuit of Flynn may have been undermined when Manning's name continued to surface down in South Beach.

The dramatic search for Manning's next team — with the helicopters, secret workouts and all — has clearly distracted from any of the attention other free-agent quarterbacks were expected to receive this offseason. That is likely why Flynn's pursuit, which at one point was expected to be a major storyline of this offeason, was seemingly swept under the figurative free-agency rug.

Flynn is certainly a risk for the Seahawks, as he's not a proven starting quarterback in the league, but with just $10 million guaranteed and Tarvaris Jackson as the incumbent starter this appears to be a risk worth taking.

Reports surfaced Friday morning that ruled one interested team out of the running, while seemingly bolstering the chances of another.

Manning told the Miami Dolphins that he will not be signing with them, according to the NFL Network's Jeff Darlington. The former Colts quarterback contacted the Dolphins on Thursday to inform him of his decision.

"Manning liked Miami's roster – but the Dolphins could never provide the familiarity he desired," Darlington tweeted. "That was biggest shortcoming, they believe."

Meanwhile, The Denver Post reported on Friday morning that the Denver Broncos — more specifically executive vice president of football operations and Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway – are on their way to North Carolina to see Manning. The veteran quarterback has been working out in North Carolina at Duke.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen tweeted Friday morning that Manning will work out for Elway and the Broncos at Duke on Friday afternoon.

It's encouraging news for the Broncos and their fans, as they appear to be one of the two finalists for Manning's services, as many feel the Tennessee Titans are still in the hunt for Manning.

The more this scenario unfolds, the more it looks like Manning has played his last down with the Colts. If that's the case, about one-third of the league will be lining up at his door requesting Manning's services, assuming his neck can return to full health.

Let's run through those suitors, starting with the franchises that should be serious contenders, and concluding the list with the teams that could pull something out of their you-know-what to surprise everyone.

Legitimate Contenders

Redskins: This starts with owner Daniel Snyder, who isn't shy with his spending. The Redskins desperately need a quarterback, and the combination of Manning and head coach Mike Shanahan could be potent. They'd be an instant playoff contender with the defense to complement their newfound offensive firepower.

Dolphins: Owner Stephen Ross has made a lot of terrible decisions with his organization, but if there's one thing he loves, it's star power. Expect the Dolphins to make a strong push for Manning. The marriage would almost be too perfect.

Cardinals: It worked with Kurt Warner, and the Cardinals haven't had an issue paying quarterbacks. Kevin Kolb was a borderline disaster in his first season in Arizona. It might be too early to make a long-term prognostication on Kolb, but if the Cardinals can land Manning now, they can deal with the Kolb repercussions later.

It Could Work

49ers: The Niners don't usually make big splashes in free agency, but head coach Jim Harbaugh might be the guy who can convince ownership otherwise. If the Niners acquired Manning, they'd be on the very short list of Super Bowl contenders in 2012.

Seahawks: Manning would look so weird in a Seahawks uniform, but hey, they've got yacht-loads of money to spend this offseason. The Seahawks seem like a team that should spend recklessly on someone like Manning.

Jets: This would be disastrous for Mark Sanchez's career, but you reap what you sow. There's a constant battle to own the back pages in New York, and the Jets have gotten smoked by the Giants for a couple months now. The Jets took a step back in 2011, but they're still a quarterback away from making a serious run. Not sure if Manning's personality really matches up with head coach Rex Ryan, but it'd be fun to watch it play out.

No Chance, But Why Not?

Vikings: The Vikings probably like what they've got with Christian Ponder, but this could be like a second version of that whole Brett Favre experiment. Granted, Favre went to a much more complete Vikings team that was ready to win, and this roster needs more work. Manning could be enticed by keeping his home games in a dome.

Jaguars: They've got the worst quarterback situation in the AFC South, so if Manning wants to stick it to the Colts twice per year, Jacksonville would be his best option. The Jaguars also have a new owner and an uncertain future. If Shahid Khan wants to keep the team in Florida, Manning would obviously help ticket sales, and if Khan wants to bolt for Los Angeles, Manning would help the sales pitch. The biggest problem with this option is the Jaguars aren't built to compete, which should be a turnoff to Manning at this stage of his career.

Chiefs: They did it with Joe Montana two decades ago, and there's pressure to upgrade the quarterback position in Kansas City. The Chiefs have done a better job rebuilding over the last two years, and if they think they're an elite quarterback shy of competing in the playoffs, they should make a run at Manning.

Buccaneers: Don't ever discount an owner with international marketing power after he's hired a new head coach, but I just don't see it happening. The Bucs have a lot of money to spend, but with quarterback Josh Freeman already on board, it makes more sense to bolster the defense.

The Wildest of Wild Cards

Broncos: They'll have a ton of money to spend this offseason, and John Elway hasn't exactly given Tim Tebow the most ringing of endorsements. If Elway really wants to move on from Tebow, he knows he'll have to deal with a massive public-relations backlash, both nationally and from Broncos fans. By replacing Tebow with Manning, Elway would remove himself from that criticism.

Cowboys: Because you never rule out Jerry Jones.

Saints: Admittedly, this one is a crazy idea, but does anyone else find it strange that nothing is happening publicly with Drew Brees' contract negotiations? Look, I expect Brees to stay in New Orleans for the long haul, but if things fall apart, the Saints could sell Manning on a homecoming, a roster that can still win a Super Bowl and a great offensive mind in head coach Sean Payton.

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Fox Sports’ Jay Glazier reported via Twitter that the New Orleans Saints and the Miami Dolphins agreed on terms for a trade that would send Reggie Bush to Miami. ESPN’s Adam Schefter later reported on Twitter that Bush agreed to a two-year deal with the Dolphins.

Last season, Bush rushed for 150 yards in eight games. In 2009, when the Saints won the Super Bowl, Bush totaled 390 yards and five touchdowns through 14 games.

Both battle for the AFC East division title each year, but recently, it has been the Patriots who most often prevail. The Pats have won eight of the last 10 division titles and three of the last 10 Super Bowls. The Dolphins haven't won a Super Bowl since 1973 and haven't appeared in one since 1984, while the Pats were champs in 2001, 2003 and 2004 and appeared in 2007.

Now, it seems the Patriots have beat the Dolphins once again — this time in the draft.

The Dolphins attempted to move into the third round of the NFL draft on Friday to select Ryan Mallett, but were thwarted by the Patriots, according to The Miami Herald.

"We were willing to take him, we just couldn't get our hands on him," a source with knowledge of the front office's thinking told the Herald. "We tried, but we couldn't do it. He's going to be a good quarterback."

The 6-foot-6 former Arkansas quarterback — who played his freshman season at Tom Brady's alma mater, University of Michigan — ended up going to the Patriots as the 74th-overall pick where he'll learn from NFL MVP Brady and coach Bill Belichick.

Mallett fans may not get to see him playing that much, though, as Brady is a lock to remain the Patriots QB for some time,  having recently signed a four-year extension that runs through 2014.

NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner texted Brady after the Pats drafted Mallett to get the superstar's reaction.

"He wanted me to know for sure that he was planning on playing 10 more years," Warner said Friday of Brady's reaction to Mallett being drafted by New England, according to NFL.com.

Had Miami succeeded in getting Mallett in the draft, Mallett may have played much sooner with Chad Henne's precarious status as Dolphins starter, but a source did tell the Herald that the Dolphins lacked a clear-enough vision about how Mallett would fit into their offense.

The Dolphins spent time before the draft looking for a successful NFL quarterback with the same "personality and approach" as Mallett, but they couldn't come up with a prototype.

Now, the Patriots have Mallett, and the Dolphins have no Mallett prototype. The Dolphins ultimately didn't even use any draft picks to find anyone to be competition for Henne — let alone replace him — leaving signing a free agent or making a trade as their only contingency plans.

Palmer has repeatedly stated that he wants out of Cincinnati. Multiple reports have him willing to retire before stepping foot in Paul Brown Stadium wearing black and orange again.  

Bengals' Management, though, has said it has no plans to move the former No. 1 pick. However, if Palmer were to become available, the Miami Dolphins would likely pursue the former USC star, reports Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.

As far as potentially available quarterbacks go, Palmer tops the list for the Dolphins, a list that also includes Kevin Kolb, Vince Young, Donovan McNabb, Kyle Orton and Alex Smith.

"[Palmer's] unquestionably better than Chad Henne," Salguero wrote. "He's not Tom Brady, but he's head-and-shoulders above the other quarterbacks who might become available."

According to the report, Palmer's name has been quite popular within the Dolphins' circles lately. Members within the organization have "watched the films or crunched the numbers or done the evaluations" to establish that Palmer could be the right fit as the next QB in Miami.

Don’t expect Miami to be the only team seeking Palmer's services, as Seattle coach Pete Carroll enjoyed success with Palmer during his time at USC, and current quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is a free agent.