Neil Johnson of the Tampa Tribune tells us about two former Buccaneers players who, along with two others are lost at sea...Sports agent Ron Del Duca confirmed to the Associated Press Sunday that Corey Smith and Victor "Marquis" Cooper ((pictured, thanks tbo.com)) - both clients of Del Duca - were among those reported missing.
The Coast Guard was alerted about 1:30 a.m. today when the boat did not return as expected. The search started about 2 a.m., centered about 50 miles from Clearwater Pass. The search area covers about 750 square miles. The search involves a 47-foot boat, a helicopter, airplane and cutter, the Coast Guard said.
Searchers are encountering winds of about 45 mph and waves ranging from 6 to 10 feet high with white caps.
Cooper, 26, is a former University of Washington standout and was a third round draft pick by Tampa Bay in 2004. Cooper appeared in 26 games for Tampa Bay between 2004 and 2005 and finished with 27 tackles. He bounced around from Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Seattle in 2006 and played for Jacksonville and the Steelers in 2007. Last season, Cooper appeared in eight games for Oakland and made one tackle in the Raiders' season upset victory against Tampa Bay, knocking the Bucs out of playoff contention.
Smith joined Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He appeared in six games as a rookie and was a member of Tampa Bay's Super Bowl team that season. He spent the following two seasons in Tampa before playing for San Francisco in 2004 and 2005. The 29-year old spent the last three seasons in Detroit, appearing in 36 games with six starts.
Former Tampa Bay linebacker Ryan Nece knows Cooper and Smith extremely well. Nece played with both while a member of the Buccaneers from 2002-08. As a player for the Detroit Lions last season, Nece spent that season playing alongside Smith again.
"As soon as I heard the news, I felt it like they were people in my own family," Nece said. "Those are two guys I really respect and two guys who are just blue collar good guys. They work hard. They are family guys.
"They are simple guys who just like to go out on a boat and just hang out and relax. They are not flashy. They are the opposite of what a football player's image is portrayed to society. They are really good guys.
"I'm just praying for them and everybody is praying that it turns out a different way."
The boaters left while weather conditions were forecast to grow worse by Saturday night. At 4:30 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service marine forecast said a small craft advisory, meaning winds were expected to top 20 mph, would likely be issued Saturday night. At 3:30 p.m. Saturday the weather service also warned of high winds and rough seas.
Here's coverage from ABC 28 in Tampa...
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