The Miami Dolphins are reportedly stonewalling starting running back Reggie Bush. The pending free agent hasn't heard from the team with about a month left before the start of free agency.

A source told Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post over the weekend that Bush and his camp are "confused" by the entire situation. Yes, Bush did everything right in his two years in Miami. He was a good leader who rushed for more than 2,000 yards the past two seasons. However, Bush should have expected a difficult negotiation.

Miami has quality depth at running back. Rookie Lamar Miller looks like a future starter and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Daniel Thomas is a former second-round draft pick who is inconsistent but talented enough to be a No. 2 option.

The Dolphins have plenty of money to spend but they don't want to spend it on a running back. Re-signing Bush won't come cheap, and Miami feels better using its cap room on upgrading positions like wide receiver, cornerback and safety. Those are much more pressing needs.

Bush did everything he could to make a good case to return to Miami. At times he was Miami's only consistent playmaker on offense. But sometimes free agents are simply a victim of circumstance. This could be one of those examples.

Miami most likely will give Bush a team-friendly offer to see if he wants to stay in Miami bad enough to take a reduced rate. But I don't expect Bush to accept lower than market value. He's earned the right not to do that with his play on the field the past two years. This could mean we've seen the last of Bush in a Dolphins uniform.