Miami Dolphins 2011 Training Camp

Miami Dolphins Training Camp: Chad Henne will be taking the first snap under center when the Dolphins break camp at their South Florida facility, though it remains to be seen whether the returning starting quarterback will be doing the same once the season starts.

Miami is rumored to be on the lookout for competition for the inconsistent fourth-year pro, with Denver's Kyle Orton heavily mentioned as a potential trade target, as it seeks to upgrade an offense that produced the third-fewest points in the NFL in 2010.

Even if management decides to keep Henne in the No. 1 role, the Dolphins need to add bodies at the position with injury-prone backup Chad Pennington taking the year off and third-stringer Tyler Thigpen exiting via free agency. Quarterback isn't the only spot in question on the roster, as running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are unrestricted free agents the team doesn't seem overly eager to bring back.

Rookie Daniel Thomas, Miami's second-round selection in April's draft, enters the preseason as the front-runner in the backfield, though it's presumed the club will add a veteran to lessen the youngster's load. There are also spots to be settled along the offensive line, with first-round pick Mike Pouncey expected to get a shot to win the starting center's job once he's signed.

Miami Discuss Trade that Send Kyle Orton to the Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins engaged in contract negotiations with Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton. That would indicate that the Broncos are fairly far along in trade talks with teams, to the point where the biggest issue may not be the compensation the Broncos would get. It may be whether Orton can agree to a new contract.

Orton apparently wants to go to a team that views him as a long-term starter, and not as a placeholder to hold onto the job just long enough to get a young quarterback ready. So the dynamic with Orton is looking like the dynamic with Donovan McNabb, where the Redskins and Vikings are willing to deal and now the question is whether McNabb is willing to sign on the dotted line.

Meanwhile, although Tim Tebow showed up bright and early for the first day of Broncos camp, Orton was reportedly one of the last players to arrive. One way or another, Orton appears to be just about done in Denver.

Miami Dolphins Restore Full Salaries of Team Employees

The full salaries of team employees in Miami Dolphins restored, who took pay cuts of 10 to 20 percent during the National Football League lockout. Dolphins Chief Executive Officer Mike Dee announced the pay cuts two months ago, blaming poor season ticket sales resulting from the lockout.

Team executives making more than $75,000 had their salaries slashed 20 percent, while those making less had pay cuts of as much as 15 percent, the Miami Herald said. “Our staff was outstanding, never complained, supported the cause,” Dee said yesterday in a news conference. “We were all in this together and it was great news to deliver to them, to be able to restore compensation back.”

The New York Jets also repaid lost wages to business employees who took unpaid furloughs and coaches who took pay cuts during the lockout, citing an unidentified person familiar with the situation. Jets owner Woody Johnson made the announcement yesterday at a team meeting in Florham Park, New Jersey, AP said.

At least seven NFL teams cut pay or furloughed employees during the four-month shutdown, including the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The lockout ended yesterday when the NFL Players Association approved a 10-year labor agreement.