BY SEAN DONOVAN
The Dolphins are negotiating a contract with free agent quarterback Alex Smith, according to the Denver Post. The team is reportedly prepared to offer a deal worth around $8 million annually.
Miami failed to sign quarterback Matt Flynn, who visited South Beach on Saturday. Flynn chose to sign a three-year, $26 million contract with the Seahawks.
Missing out on Flynn was another tough break for Miami, as Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin was Flynn's coordinator in Green Bay and owner Stephen Ross is as willing to spend as any NFL owner.
Smith had by far his best season in 2011 after being selected by the 49ers No. 1 overall in 2005. He led San Francisco, which is currently in pursuit of Peyton Manning, to a 13-3 record and the NFC Championship game.
The Dolphins' offseason quarterback search has been brutal, to put it lightly, considering Miami was spurned by both Manning and Flynn and has already lost any opportunity to select either of the top two signal-callers in the draft in Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III.
Miami's focus has turned to some of the lower-tier free agents available. David Garrard is reportedly scheduled to visit Miami later this week. Garrard did not play in the NFL last season after being released by the Jaguars before the first game of the year. Before that, he had been the Jaguars' primary starting quarterback for five seasons.
Garrard has a career completion percentage of 61.6% and a 39-37 record as a starter.
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