KIRKLAND — The Seahawks are in the running to acquire the services of three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia, who is scheduled to meet with the team in the next couple of days.

Garcia, who spent last season with the Cleveland Browns before being released last month, left Denver following a free-agent visit on Monday. He told the Rocky Mountain News that he planned to make one more stop on his tour: in Seattle to talk to coach Mike Holmgren.

Two other teams — Detroit and Tampa Bay — have expressed interest in signing the 35-year-old Garcia. The Seahawks, Broncos and Lions appear to be his top choices.

Garcia, who represented the San Francisco 49ers in the Pro Bowl from 2000 to 2002, has accepted that he would be joining his new team as a backup.

The Seahawks' coaches are high on him, and the team is in need of a trustworthy No. 2 to Matt Hasselbeck after Trent Dilfer was traded to Cleveland for a fourth-round draft pick last week.

Trade talk

The recent talk of a possible trade involving Seattle running back Shaun Alexander and Miami cornerback Patrick Surtain is little more than speculation, according to NFL sources.

But another Dolphin was thrown into the rumor mill yesterday. Defensive end Jason Taylor apparently would not welcome a move to outside linebacker if Miami switched to a 3-4 defense, and the Dolphins eventually might be willing to deal him. The Seahawks have an opening at defensive end with the departure of Chike Okeafor on Monday.

No serious trade talks involving Alexander and the Dolphins have taken place.

Alexander was named the Seahawks' franchise player and would make $6.32 million if he signed the one-year tender. But it's clear that he won't sign it anytime soon. Any team that acquires Alexander would want to have a long-term deal with him.

A new consultant

The Seahawks have added another consultant to their front office.

Phil Neri, 53, was the Browns' college personnel director until being dismissed last month. For Seattle, he is evaluating talent for the draft and working with college scouts.

Neri is filling the void left by Scot McCloughan, the Seahawks' former college scouting director who left to become vice president of player personnel for the 49ers last month.

From 1984 to 1986, Neri was the Seahawks' director of college scouting. His wife, Julie, is a Kirkland native.

Notes

• Seahawks OL Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack has free-agent visits scheduled for Buffalo today and Green Bay tomorrow. The Seahawks are still very involved in negotiations with Womack.

• Cornerback Andre Dyson, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, concluded his visit with the Seahawks yesterday without signing a contract. Former Chicago RB Anthony Thomas arrived in town last night.

• Anthony Simmons, released by the Seahawks last week, has drawn interest from at least two teams looking for a veteran outside linebacker.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com