Sadly so. I believe the search is being called off at sundown tonight. Very sad.

:(

Last I heard was that they did all have life-jackets on but that isn't anything to go by.

:(

Search was called off. Terrible :(

Spot on. Which calmed a few racing pulses in DC and explains why the Skins could sign Hall and Dockery as well and will probably sign someone else in free agency.

On another note, Jason Taylor may end up in New England, apparently

I'll take him.

Draft one of the many hybrids in this draft and allow them to rotate.

nookie, Out of interest, what is the Skins cap looking like right now?

:( RIP ...

Read an article that contrary to how the current economic conditions are NFL have approved a $4 million dollar increase to the cap. That helps a number of teams one of which Carolina, taking them out of the red .... The Skins have also undoubtadly benefited from it also as they were one of lowest five teams in terms of not much cap room left.

Skins are something like $13m under I think. Getting rid of Springs, Washington, Taylor has saved tons.

Before you get excited about Taylor, Paul, you might want to read this from Skins General manager Vinny Cerrato

Q: You scouted Jason before you traded for him, do you think this guy, if healthy and with a full offseason, do you think he can still play?
A: Yeah, I think he can still play. We talked to his agent. We talked to Jason. Dan and I flew down and had dinner with him a couple weeks ago and told him we wanted him to work out up here 75 percent of the time. It’s not a lot. It’s 39 workouts to make 75 percent and 14 are mandatory. It was 25 workouts in 13 weeks and he could come out on Tuesday, work out on Wednesday and early Thursday morning and then fly home.

Q: Are you surprised he wasn’t willing to meet that?
A: Yes.

Q: Disappointed?
A: Yes, totally disappointed. Clinton lives down there in the offseason and he’s up here 75 percent. Haynesworth has a workout clause; DeAngelo does. All these guys have workout clauses. As guys get older you’d like them to work out. People say what about Shawn Springs. He went to Arizona to work out, but he wasn’t at home. Jason just wanted to stay at home with his kids. We felt to get the best out of him – he didn’t =0 Awork out at all last year because of the dancing – we wanted him to get in shape, to make sure he was in shape. Plus the biggest thing was the camaraderie with his teammates because he wasn’t around. And he didn’t want to do it.

Q: When you’re trying to build a team, you don’t want to hear that.
A: Right. It’s not fair to all his teammates that he says all you guys go up there and work out, but I don’t want to do that.

Q: Did you make a last-ditch effort to try to keep him?
A: We talked to him on the phone at 1 o’clock and he just couldn’t commit. We said OK.

Taylor can still play, but is his heart still in it? He said he'd take a paycut to stay in DC and apologised to the fans for a bad season but then wouldn't commit.

Key line in that interview for me was he didn't train last off-season as he was busy dancing for a TV show...

I'll be furious if Taylor goes to the Pats.

Hopefully he has the same attitude as his brother-in-law - once a Fin, always a Fin, and therefore destined never to play for a hated rival.

From what I've read, benny boy, you may have to be prepared to have your heart broken. He's mates with Tom Brady and tried to get Brady to get the Pats to sign him before he came to DC...

All I know is I'm pleased the SKins have shed a load of overpaid, old players who are always injured for some youngsters who are quality players.

And another reason why we may not want him is he wants to partially participate in off-season workouts.

That wont happen under Belichick. Especially a new player, you are either a complete Patriot and play every practice. Or you don't.

I think he'll end up at Tampa. Near his home innit

I don't want Taylor.

Statements from Raiders and Lions:
:(


"Today's news is a sobering reminder about how truly precious and fragile life can be. We will continue to pray for a miracle, though we fully understand and respect the decision of the Coast Guard.

"We were thrilled yesterday with the news of Nick's rescue, and it gave all of us hope that Corey, Will and Marquis would also be found alive.

"While we still have that hope, we have begun to cope with the grim reality of this sad and tragic situation.

"We cannot adequately express our heartfelt appreciation to the Coast Guard and all the Florida authorities involved in the rescue mission. Their heroic efforts saved at least one life, and we know they did everything possible for Corey, Will and Marquis.

"We also want to thank everyone across the country for their expressions of support. We ask that you join us as we continue to pray for Corey, Will, Marquis and their families."
-- Detroit Lions

“We continue to hold out hope that Marquis Cooper, Will Bleakley and Corey Smith will be located and rescued.

"However, with the Coast Guard’s decision to cease search and rescue efforts, we are faced with the reality that this mission may not turn out the way that we all desire.

"Again, the Raiders would like to express our deep appreciation to all involved in the search and rescue efforts.

“We also wish to express gratitude to everyone around the world who has offered their support. We ask everyone to continue to remember these men and their families in their thoughts and prayers.”

-- Oakland Raiders

You broke my heart in Washington, darling. ;)

:eek:

This is really heartbreaking :(

As the four fishing buddies huddled together in the dark, clinging to their capsized boat miles off the Florida coast, a helicopter's light shone down upon them.

For a while, as the boat drifted in the rough seas, Nick Schuyler could even see the city lights from shore. But the men drifted away as the hours passed, Schuyler told a friend after he was rescued, with the two NFL players aboard disappearing first, leaving him and his college football teammate hanging onto the hull.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/...L-Optional.php

RIP

Truly tragic :(

Sad day :(