Coast Guard searching for missing boat w/NFL players aboard (1 Viewer)

[Andy Herron]

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/st...kSanyO4BZA.cspx

CLEARWATER, FL -- The Coast Guard is searching for a missing fishing boat about 50 miles off-shore in the Gulf of Mexico.

According to Coast Guard officials, the 21-foot fishing boat left from a boat ramp in Clearwater Pass Saturday about 6:30 am with 4 people on board.

A dispatcher told ABC Action News 3 of them are NFL players. One of them plays for the Detroit Lions, and one plays for the Oakland Raiders, the dispatcher said.

The boaters were supposed to return sometime after dark but never did, officials said. A friend called the Coast Guard at about 1:30 am and reported them missing.

Officials say the waters in the gulf are extremely choppy and they believe the boat is in distress.

Air and marine crews from the Sand Key and Clearwater Coast Guard stations are searching a 750 square mile area west of Clearwater Pass.

 

[KellysHeroes]

wow

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Sporting News says 3 NFL players on board.

 

[Max Power]

Just hope everyone is ok.

 

[captbly]

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/mar/01/co...ers/news-metro/

The Coast Guard said the players are: Victor "Marquis" Cooper, Nick Skyler, Corey Smith.

 

[=Smackdown=]

wow - hopefully everybody is alright

 

[BuckeyeArt]

What is a 21 foot boat doing 50 miles offshore?

 

[Burning Sensation]

What is a 21 foot boat doing 50 miles offshore?

Fishing?

 

[BuckeyeArt]

What is a 21 foot boat doing 50 miles offshore?

Fishing?

I figured that was coming.

 

[captbly]

What is a 21 foot boat doing 50 miles offshore?

I have been pulled out into the gulf before on a 20 ft boat (scariest night of my life). Was out all night and it was all we could do to stay in place without losing ground. I dont think the guy went out 50 miles, but they could get sucked out that far.

 

[southeastjerome]

that sucks.

 

[Andy Herron]

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/mar/01/co...ers/news-metro/

The Coast Guard said the players are: Victor "Marquis" Cooper, Nick Skyler, Corey Smith.

Marquis Cooper is a LB for the Raiders. Corey Smith is a DE for the Lions.

 

[QUEZILLA]

Weather was nice here yesterday, but a little windy. Not bad boating conditions at all.

 

[QUEZILLA]

I have to admit....upon hearing this news...my very first thought was "Gawd...I hope Calvin Johnson was not on that boat. It would be a bigtime hit to both of my keepers league teams".

Thank god your keeper teams are ok.

 

[mex]

haven't seen them yet

 

[CGRdrJoe]

haven't seen them yet

me either

 

[Burning Sensation]

I have to admit....upon hearing this news...my very first thought was "Gawd...I hope Calvin Johnson was not on that boat. It would be a bigtime hit to both of my keepers league teams".

No you dont, thats the type of thing you should keep to yourself.

 

[Underachievers]

I have to admit....upon hearing this news...my very first thought was "Gawd...I hope Calvin Johnson was not on that boat. It would be a bigtime hit to both of my keepers league teams".

Thank god your keeper teams are ok.

I hear ya....

 

[fred_1_15301]

I have to admit....upon hearing this news...my very first thought was "Gawd...I hope Calvin Johnson was not on that boat. It would be a bigtime hit to both of my keepers league teams".

No you dont, thats the type of thing you should keep to yourself.

.........Why he would feel compelled to type that is beyond me...........

 

[Underachievers]

I have to admit....upon hearing this news...my very first thought was "Gawd...I hope Calvin Johnson was not on that boat. It would be a bigtime hit to both of my keepers league teams".

No you dont, thats the type of thing you should keep to yourself.

Yeah...it was a horrible first thought. I normally monitor the Coast Guard website so I can fret over missing boats carrying people that I do not know. It will be a tragedy IF IF IF anything bad has happened to these players.....but it would be the same tragedy if your normal John Doe off the street was in the same situation (and I give those headlines no more than a quick glance).

 

[Underachievers]

I have to admit....upon hearing this news...my very first thought was "Gawd...I hope Calvin Johnson was not on that boat. It would be a bigtime hit to both of my keepers league teams".

No you dont, thats the type of thing you should keep to yourself.

.........Why he would feel compelled to type that is beyond me...........

I deleted my post. Did not realize that those players had so many close friends on this board. Sorry for the lack of compassion...and give my regards to the family (that is assuming that something did actually happen).

 

[Burning Sensation]

I have to admit....upon hearing this news...my very first thought was "Gawd...I hope Calvin Johnson was not on that boat. It would be a bigtime hit to both of my keepers league teams".

No you dont, thats the type of thing you should keep to yourself.

Yeah...it was a horrible first thought. I normally monitor the Coast Guard website so I can fret over missing boats carrying people that I do not know. It will be a tragedy IF IF IF anything bad has happened to these players.....but it would be the same tragedy if your normal John Doe off the street was in the same situation (and I give those headlines no more than a quick glance).

So i guess it would be a bigger tragedy if your keepers were on the boat?

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

I have to admit....upon hearing this news...my very first thought was "Gawd...I hope Calvin Johnson was not on that boat. It would be a bigtime hit to both of my keepers league teams".

No you dont, thats the type of thing you should keep to yourself.

.........Why he would feel compelled to type that is beyond me...........

I deleted my post. Did not realize that those players had so many close friends on this board. Sorry for the lack of compassion...and give my regards to the family (that is assuming that something did actually happen).

Given the amount of time that the vessel is overdue, coupled with no contact from them, it's safe to say that something did happen.

 

[Rovers]

I have to admit....upon hearing this news...my very first thought was "Gawd...I hope Calvin Johnson was not on that boat. It would be a bigtime hit to both of my keepers league teams".

No you dont, thats the type of thing you should keep to yourself.

.........Why he would feel compelled to type that is beyond me...........

I deleted my post. Did not realize that those players had so many close friends on this board. Sorry for the lack of compassion...and give my regards to the family (that is assuming that something did actually happen).

You just dig a deeper hole every time you post. just... be quiet.

 

[Bob Magaw]

I have to admit....upon hearing this news...my very first thought was "Gawd...I hope Calvin Johnson was not on that boat. It would be a bigtime hit to both of my keepers league teams".

No you dont, thats the type of thing you should keep to yourself.

Yeah...it was a horrible first thought. I normally monitor the Coast Guard website so I can fret over missing boats carrying people that I do not know. It will be a tragedy IF IF IF anything bad has happened to these players.....but it would be the same tragedy if your normal John Doe off the street was in the same situation (and I give those headlines no more than a quick glance).

or another sequence could have been...1 - hope nobody died

2 - don't think/say/write about something as mundane as fantasy implications in this context until we find out definitively if a tragedy was averted (maybe not even then)...

 

[poopdawg]

I have to admit....upon hearing this news...my very first thought was "Gawd...I hope Calvin Johnson was not on that boat. It would be a bigtime hit to both of my keepers league teams".

No you dont, thats the type of thing you should keep to yourself.

.........Why he would feel compelled to type that is beyond me...........

I deleted my post. Did not realize that those players had so many close friends on this board. Sorry for the lack of compassion...and give my regards to the family (that is assuming that something did actually happen).

You just dig a deeper hole every time you post. just... be quiet.

What a doosh.

 

[H8fulHuck]

Scary thought about what might be happening out there. Let's hope everyone comes home safe!

 

[SofaKings]

Lions DE Corey Smith missing of Florida coast

By DAN CORTEZ AND CARLOS MONARREZ • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS • March 1, 2009

A member of the Lions is among a group of four boaters the U.S. Coast Guard is searching for off the coast of Tampa after the group did not return from a fishing trip that left shore early Saturday, the Coast Guard said.

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Corey Smith, a defensive end who spent the past three seasons with the Lions and is now an unrestricted free agent, was with a group of friends that left shore near Clearwater Pass around 6:30 a.m. Saturday in a 21-foot center console boat, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard is using a 47-foot boat, a helicopter and an airplane to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass.

Two other people on the boat were identified as Victor (Marquis) Cooper and Nick Skyler. Cooper and Smith played together with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004. Cooper is now a linebacker with the Raiders. The fourth person has not been identified.

Smith's agent, Ron Del Duca, told the Associated Press that his client and Cooper were two of the four boaters who were reported missing.

Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said the team was aware of the search, although he could not confirm Smith was the missing Lion.

“We’re aware of the report, and we’re in the process of trying to gather as much information as possible at this point,” he said.

Smith, 29, who also spent the second half of the 2006 season with the Lions, played in 12 games last season and was in the starting lineup for two of them. He finished with 42 tackles and three sacks. He became an unrestricted free agent on Friday.

Smith, a native of Richmond, Va., played collegiately at North Carolina State. He played under former Lions coach Rod Marinelli in Tampa Bay in 2002-04, when Marinelli was the defensive line coach. Smith spent two years with the San Francisco 49ers before he was reunited with Marinelli in Detroit.

 

[GregR_2]

Hope they find them and everyone is ok.

 

[Tornacl]

I sincerely hope that they are found and all are safe.

I have to admit that when I saw the link on Rotoworld, I laughed to myself, because I didn't think that it was an actual event. The link said "Report: Lions, Raiders players lost at sea" and I thought to myself "Isn't that the truth."

Then I read the article and felt like an idiot.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

I bet 80% of this message boards patrons fist pump when a big star you'll play against next week gets injured in a manner that will undoubtedly keep you from having to face him. We talk about Fantasy Football here...

As tasteless as it may sound, ALL real life issues with fantasy implications are measured here. Don't fault someone for saying what 50% of us were thinking... "how does this effect me"

No one here has any power over whether or not the boat is found or whether or not everyone is ok... Well wishes are nice... then back to what we're here for... fantasy football

Lighten up, give the guy a break. Not like no one here has ever slipped and said something politically incorrect. Is anyone here making matters better by trying to make someone else feel bad?

 

[Burning Sensation]

I bet 80% of this message boards patrons fist pump when a big star you'll play against next week gets injured in a manner that will undoubtedly keep you from having to face him. We talk about Fantasy Football here...

As tasteless as it may sound, ALL real life issues with fantasy implications are measured here. Don't fault someone for saying what 50% of us were thinking... "how does this effect me"

No one here has any power over whether or not the boat is found or whether or not everyone is ok... Well wishes are nice... then back to what we're here for... fantasy football

Lighten up, give the guy a break. Not like no one here has ever slipped and said something politically incorrect. Is anyone here making matters better by trying to make someone else feel bad?

I would say that number is closer to 100%. There is a difference between thinking it, and saying it though.

 

[comfortably numb]

I bet 80% of this message boards patrons fist pump when a big star you'll play against next week gets injured in a manner that will undoubtedly keep you from having to face him. We talk about Fantasy Football here...As tasteless as it may sound, ALL real life issues with fantasy implications are measured here. Don't fault someone for saying what 50% of us were thinking... "how does this effect me"No one here has any power over whether or not the boat is found or whether or not everyone is ok... Well wishes are nice... then back to what we're here for... fantasy footballLighten up, give the guy a break. Not like no one here has ever slipped and said something politically incorrect. Is anyone here making matters better by trying to make someone else feel bad?

Please, Please....Maybe we can try keeping this on info on people whose lives may be in jeopardy.Not on whats PC, or who can be dooshier or who stands tallest on their soapbox.Just start another thread

 

[H8fulHuck]

I bet 80% of this message boards patrons fist pump when a big star you'll play against next week gets injured in a manner that will undoubtedly keep you from having to face him. We talk about Fantasy Football here...As tasteless as it may sound, ALL real life issues with fantasy implications are measured here. Don't fault someone for saying what 50% of us were thinking... "how does this effect me"No one here has any power over whether or not the boat is found or whether or not everyone is ok... Well wishes are nice... then back to what we're here for... fantasy footballLighten up, give the guy a break. Not like no one here has ever slipped and said something politically incorrect. Is anyone here making matters better by trying to make someone else feel bad?

If it's all about you, go get naked at a paegan ritual. This is not the place or time for selfishness.

 

[Bob Magaw]

I bet 80% of this message boards patrons fist pump when a big star you'll play against next week gets injured in a manner that will undoubtedly keep you from having to face him. We talk about Fantasy Football here...As tasteless as it may sound, ALL real life issues with fantasy implications are measured here. Don't fault someone for saying what 50% of us were thinking... "how does this effect me"No one here has any power over whether or not the boat is found or whether or not everyone is ok... Well wishes are nice... then back to what we're here for... fantasy footballLighten up, give the guy a break. Not like no one here has ever slipped and said something politically incorrect. Is anyone here making matters better by trying to make someone else feel bad?

if you are trying to be an apologist, the fact that you felt the need to soften it by comparing this situation to a football injury, when in fact it involves potentially multiple deaths, is a tacit admission that tact & discretion were lacking...& yes, i'm pretty sure approaching 100% of the posters in this thread know better & have acted accordingly in the past...* to the thread at large, sorry for the unrelated moderation...agreed this thread should be restored to what it was originally intended for... hope they are found soon, but the fact that so much time has gone by without contact doesn't look good...

 

[AnonymousBob]

I bet 80% of this message boards patrons fist pump when a big star you'll play against next week gets injured in a manner that will undoubtedly keep you from having to face him. We talk about Fantasy Football here...

As tasteless as it may sound, ALL real life issues with fantasy implications are measured here. Don't fault someone for saying what 50% of us were thinking... "how does this effect me"

No one here has any power over whether or not the boat is found or whether or not everyone is ok... Well wishes are nice... then back to what we're here for... fantasy football

Lighten up, give the guy a break. Not like no one here has ever slipped and said something politically incorrect. Is anyone here making matters better by trying to make someone else feel bad?

I would say that number is closer to 100%. There is a difference between thinking it, and saying it though.

Meh, he said something stupid and classless but even from his initial post he was a bit ashamed that was his first thought. He should've kept it to himself but he didn't. It's something he should have never said but the pile on was ridiculous. Anyhow, I won't say anything more than I hope the miraculous happens and the players and rest of the boaters turn up safe.

I can't imagine the agony their families must be going through.

 

[Mario Kart]

Once FBG's reached member number 30,000... those posters bring this place down.

Hope the boat and players can be found safely.

 

[captbly]

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/mar/01/co...ers/news-metro/

The Coast Guard said the players are: Victor "Marquis" Cooper, Nick Skyler, Corey Smith.

Marquis Cooper is a LB for the Raiders. Corey Smith is a DE for the Lions.

They played together in Tampa

 

[EBF]

Calvin Johnson isn't on that boat. If he was, he would've tied it to his back and swam in as soon as trouble started.

Seriously though, I hope everything turns out okay for those guys. The good news here is that their friend got the authorities on the case quickly, so there's plenty of time to do a search and hopefully find the boat and get everyone to safety.

 

[brednbuddah]

Weather was nice here yesterday, but a little windy. Not bad boating conditions at all.

back to the topic...are the conditions any better or worse now? as an earlier poster said he went though as similar situation, is it that common where you could get sucked out/drift that far off shore?

Sounds like the coast gaurd has a pretty significant rescue team looking for them*. hopefully, they won't have to go another night without being discovered.

* Crews used a helicopter and a 47-foot motor-life boat to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday

say some prayers...

 

[QuizGuy66]

just hope all 4 of these guys are alright

-QG

 

[brednbuddah]

Weather was nice here yesterday, but a little windy. Not bad boating conditions at all.

back to the topic...are the conditions any better or worse now? as an earlier poster said he went though as similar situation, is it that common where you could get sucked out/drift that far off shore?

Sounds like the coast gaurd has a pretty significant rescue team looking for them*. hopefully, they won't have to go another night without being discovered.

* Crews used a helicopter and a 47-foot motor-life boat to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday

say some prayers...

found my answer... not good.Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tampa, said seas were about 2 to 4 feet Saturday morning and increased to 3 to 5 feet in the afternoon. Late Saturday night, a small craft advisory was issued, when winds were around 20 knots and seas were up to 7 feet or more. There were no thunderstorms in the area.

Davis said the water was "extremely rough and choppy" on Sunday afternoon.

 

[Serenity Now]

Presumably those guys should have had a radio of some kind on board, yes? The apparent lack of radio contact from them doesn't bode well at all.

 

[the branded hand]

What is a 21 foot boat doing 50 miles offshore?

I have been pulled out into the gulf before on a 20 ft boat (scariest night of my life). Was out all night and it was all we could do to stay in place without losing ground. I dont think the guy went out 50 miles, but they could get sucked out that far.

Weather was nice here yesterday, but a little windy. Not bad boating conditions at all.

back to the topic...are the conditions any better or worse now? as an earlier poster said he went though as similar situation, is it that common where you could get sucked out/drift that far off shore?

Sounds like the coast gaurd has a pretty significant rescue team looking for them*. hopefully, they won't have to go another night without being discovered.

* Crews used a helicopter and a 47-foot motor-life boat to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday

say some prayers...

found my answer... not good.Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tampa, said seas were about 2 to 4 feet Saturday morning and increased to 3 to 5 feet in the afternoon. Late Saturday night, a small craft advisory was issued, when winds were around 20 knots and seas were up to 7 feet or more. There were no thunderstorms in the area.

Davis said the water was "extremely rough and choppy" on Sunday afternoon.

Presumably those guys should have had a radio of some kind on board, yes? The apparent lack of radio contact from them doesn't bode well at all.

That being said... thoughts and prayers, gentlemen.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

A Three hour tour.....

I'm counting on the courage of their fearless crew.

The Coast Guard are pretty good at their job. Here's to hoping they arrive in time.

 

[FFFanatic71]

And thumbs down to the NFL Network. I just watched the top-of-the hour Network Now update for some news on the missing players. Nothing even mentioned. Just talk about Keith Brooking. Not cool.

 

[Da Guru]

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/mar/01/co...ers/news-metro/

The Coast Guard said the players are: Victor "Marquis" Cooper, Nick Skyler, Corey Smith.

Marquis Cooper is a LB for the Raiders. Corey Smith is a DE for the Lions.

I thought for sure it would be Culpepper.

 

[FavreCo]

What the hell was a boat doing out in the Gulf in this weather? 1st thing I did this morning is check the front coming thru.

 

[KCC]

Weather was nice here yesterday, but a little windy. Not bad boating conditions at all.

back to the topic...are the conditions any better or worse now? as an earlier poster said he went though as similar situation, is it that common where you could get sucked out/drift that far off shore?

Sounds like the coast gaurd has a pretty significant rescue team looking for them*. hopefully, they won't have to go another night without being discovered.

* Crews used a helicopter and a 47-foot motor-life boat to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday

say some prayers...

found my answer... not good.Rick Davis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tampa, said seas were about 2 to 4 feet Saturday morning and increased to 3 to 5 feet in the afternoon. Late Saturday night, a small craft advisory was issued, when winds were around 20 knots and seas were up to 7 feet or more. There were no thunderstorms in the area.

Davis said the water was "extremely rough and choppy" on Sunday afternoon.

These guys thrive in an evironment where they believe they can conquer everything. While that may make them less willing to consider risks (such as heading out in less than favorable weather) I would sure hate for them to be proven wrong in this case. Let's hope for the best.

 

[captbly]

What the hell was a boat doing out in the Gulf in this weather? 1st thing I did this morning is check the front coming thru.

"left Clearwater Pass about 6:30 a.m. Saturday"they went out yesterday.. not today. They should have been back in yesterday.