Kurt Warner is being courted by an eager division rival of the Arizona Cardinals.

The San Francisco 49ers sent a private jet yesterday for the two-time MVP quarterback, who traveled from Phoenix to the team's training complex in Santa Clara, Calif., for a physical exam and a meeting with top brass.

Warner led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl last season, but became a free agent when he didn't re-sign with the club. Arizona has offered a two-year, $20 million contract to Warner, who will be 38 years old when training camp opens.

But Warner is seeking a deal worth at least $14 million per season, and the former St. Louis Rams star seems willing to leave Arizona, his home for the past four seasons, for the right offer.

NFC West rival San Francisco finished just two games behind the Cardinals in second place last season, and the club has enough cap room to accommodate Warner's salary wishes. With no established starting quarterback on the 49ers' roster, the club rolled out its red-and-gold carpet to entice Warner.

After flying into Silicon Valley, Warner arrived at the 49ers' training complex by limousine shortly before lunchtime with his wife, Brenda. He had lunch and a meeting with general manager Scot McCloughan, coach Mike Singletary and likely owner Jed York before traveling to Stanford Hospital for his exam.

Warner passed for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, leading the franchise to its first division title since 1975.

SEAHAWKS

SEATTLE TO SIGN RECEIVER

T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Seattle have agreed on a five-year contract, according to media reports yesterday.

Citing unidentified sources, www.ESPN.com, The NFL Network and the Seattle Post Intelligencer reported on their Web sites that the former Cincinnati Bengals receiver's deal is for $40 million and includes $15 million in guarantees.

Houshmandzadeh, 31, has caught 204 passes in the past two seasons. Seattle didn't have a wide receiver catch more than Bobby Engram's 47 last season.

REDSKINS

TAYLOR RELEASED

Washington has released defensive lineman Jason Taylor, one year after signing the former NFL defensive player of the year.

The 34-year-old Taylor, who would have earned about $8 million this season, missed three games last year due to injuries.

He declined the Redskins' request to add a clause to his contract requiring him to participate in 25 of 39 days in the team's offseason workout program.

His 120.5 career sacks are the most among active NFL players. But he had just 3.5 last season.

ELSEWHERE

Law and order: Denver Broncos star receiver Brandon Marshall faces a possible suspension even though a disorderly conduct charge stemming from a fight with his fiance was dismissed in an Atlanta court yesterday. Municipal Judge Clinton Deveaux dismissed the case after Marshall and his fiance, Michi Leshase Nogami-Campbell, both of whom were charged with disorderly conduct, refused to testify against each other. The Pro Bowl receiver might still be disciplined for repeated violations of the league's personal conduct code.

Dolphins: Defensive end Vonnie Holliday has been released after four seasons with Miami. Holliday, 33, started 15 games for the AFC East champions in 2008 and led the team's defensive linemen with 46 tackles.

Titans: Tennessee signed Pittsburgh Steelers free-agent receiver Nate Washington to a six-year deal, and added former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Jovan Haye with a four-year deal.

Lions: Detroit signed free-agent receiver Bryant Johnson to a three-year contract. Johnson had 45 receptions for 546 yards and three touchdowns last year, his only season with the San Francisco 49ers.

Broncos: Denver has signed linebacker Andra Davis. He spent seven seasons with Cleveland, finishing second on the team in tackles in 2008.