NFL Players Still Among Missing, 1 Boater Is Found

Coast Guard search crews found one of the four men who had been missing after taking a boat on a fishing trip off the Gulf Coast of Florida, according to reports by Tampa area media outlets.

Three of the four boaters, including NFL players Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper, remain missing.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, former University of South Florida football player Nick Schuyler was found alive and clinging to the boat 38 miles west of Tampa Bay. Schuyler was rescued by the Coast Guard and was transported to Tampa General Hospital, according to the Times.

He is listed in serious condition at the hospital but has spoken to his parents, who told the newspaper their son is dehydrated and has cuts and bruises. According to the Times, Schuyler told the Coast Guard the boat was anchored about 35 miles from Tampa Bay when it flipped Saturday night, after which all four men reportedly were able to cling to the boat for 12 to 16 hours. Schuyler reportedly was conscious and wearing a life vest when he was rescued.

A Tampa area television station, Bay News 9, previously had reported the Coast Guard had found an overturned boat in the Gulf of Mexico with one person clinging to it.

There is no further information about the whereabouts of the missing boaters. Cooper is a linebacker for the Oakland Raiders. Smith, a Richmond native, is a defensive end who spent this past season with the Detroit Lions and now is a free agent. The other missing man has been identified in reports as Will Bleakley, another former University of South Florida player.

The four men reportedly left the Clearwater, Fla., area Saturday morning for a fishing trip on a 21-foot boat owned by Cooper. Smith and Cooper are former Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates and reportedly had been on fishing trips together.

Search efforts reportedly began around 2 a.m. Sunday, about a half-hour after the men were reported missing. The efforts were hindered by high winds and choppy water conditions, according to reports.

Charge Dropped

A disorderly conduct charge against WR Brandon Marshall reportedly was dismissed yesterday in an Atlanta court. Marshall's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, told the Denver Post: "Based on my investigation [Sunday], he shouldn't have been charged in the first place, and I was confident the charges would be dismissed."

Marshall reportedly had been arrested early Sunday in Atlanta. A jail supervisor told the Denver Post that Marshall was booked at about 6 a.m. Sunday and was released about 4 1/2 hours later after posting a $300 bond.

The newspaper, citing a police report, reported Marshall and his fiancee were arrested after officers allegedly observed them kicking and punching each other when an argument outside Marshall's condominium escalated. It is unclear if the standout wide receiver will face discipline by the NFL under its personal conduct policy, under which a player can be penalized without being convicted of a crime.

Seattle Nabs Wideout

Free agent WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh has agreed to a contract with the Seattle Seahawks, according to several reports.

The five-year deal reportedly is worth $40 million, including $15 million guaranteed.

Houshmandzadeh leaves the Cincinnati Bengals, who had been trying to re-sign him.

-- Mark Maske

BEST READER COMMENT Ever wanted to be in The Washington Post? Now you can. The League's team of experts will select the best comments to appear in the Sports section and online. GRAND PRIZE At the end of the season the most-excerpted reader wins a pass to join The Washington Post during our annual Draft Day Extravaganza. Learn more at http://washingtonpost.com/theleague