MIAMI (AP) - Spurned by Peyton Manning, the Miami Dolphins turned Friday to their backup plan - backup quarterback Matt Flynn.
Manning telephoned the Dolphins on Thursday to advise them he would sign elsewhere, and the team began courting free-agent Flynn, two people familiar with the negotiations said.
Both people confirmed the developments to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins haven't commented publicly on their free-agent shopping.
Flynn was scheduled to visit Miami by the weekend after concluding a visit with the Seattle Seahawks.
Free-agent Mark Anderson, who had 10 sacks last year as a pass-rush specialist for the New England Patriots, visited the Dolphins on Friday. They re-signed backup tight end Jeron Mastrud.
The Dolphins made Manning their top offseason priority and met with the four-time NFL MVP for several hours Monday in Indianapolis, but Flynn had long been considered a potential fallback. He was a backup the past four years for Green Bay, where he worked with new Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin, who was previously the Packers' offensive coordinator.
Flynn was a seventh-round draft pick by the Packers in 2008 after playing at Louisiana State. He has only two career NFL starts, but one was an eye-catching performance in last year's regular-season finale, when he set franchise records with 480 yards passing and six touchdowns to help the Packers beat Detroit 45-41.
The Dolphins are looking for an upgrade over incumbent quarterback Matt Moore. Chad Henne, who started 31 games for Miami over the past three seasons, signed Wednesday with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a backup.
