There was a short period of time before the lockout when they could meet. Apparently, they went beyond the lockout which is what got them in trouble.
No, they were barred from meeting even before the lockout went into effect. The League gave strict instructions than any contact that was not normal for that time of year was prohibited, so you couldn't "move things up" in case there was a lockout. This was true even if the coaching staff was brand new and might well have had increased player contact even in a normal year.
I remember the post lockout interview with Henne where he said he was meeting with Daboll. At the time, I thought he was just mis-using the present tense and meant to say that he had been meeting with Daboll until the lockout. Once the team got fined, I realized that he was serious. Bummer.
Yeah, see, this is where your memory is playing tricks on you. The interview (and contact) was from BEFORE the lockout.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/01/2090077/miami-dolphins-chad-henne-says.htmlThis article is from March 1, 10 full days before the lockout went into effect. The rules and guidance given to the league is also detailed in the article, including a stipulation that players not receive any supervision or "direction" by coaches.