Cooper's wife eyes closure

Cooper's wife eyes closure


Posted: 03/12/2009 07:54:42 PM PDT


NFL player Marquis Cooper's wife is seeking a presumptive death certificate a week after the Coast Guard called off its search for the missing boater and two friends.

Rebekah Cooper filed a petition for the certificate Wednesday in civil court in Florida. With the certificate, Cooper's beneficiaries can collect life insurance and other benefits.

The Raiders linebacker departed from Clearwater Pass west of Tampa on Feb. 28 in a 21-foot boat. He was with free-agent NFL defensive lineman Corey Smith and two former University of South Florida football players.

Their boat overturned after encountering rough waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Nick Schuyler was found clinging to the boat two days later. The other men have not been found.

Bills: Buffalo said newly signed Terrell Owens will get his familiar number 81, and fellow receiver James Hardy will switch to No. 84. Hardy wore No. 81 during his rookie season in 2008. It's unclear whether Hardy will be compensated by Owens to switch numbers. Owens has worn No. 81 throughout his NFL career but wore No. 80 at Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Redskins: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was indicted on two misdemeanor traffic charges after a crash that seriously injured another driver, District Attorney Kim Helper of Williamson County (Tenn.) said. The charges stem from a Dec. 13 incident in which Haynesworth tried to pass another driver, who crashed into a concrete median.

After the accident, Corey Edmonson needed a wheelchair or walker to move, said his attorney. Haynesworth, a former Tennessee Titan, signed a $100 million, seven-year contract with the Redskins on Feb. 27.

Dolphins: Miami signed free-agent cornerback Eric Green to a multiyear deal. The Dolphins didn't disclose terms of the deal. Green played the past four seasons with Arizona.

Browns: Cleveland signed free-agent linebacker David Bowens and released right tackle Kevin Shaffer. Bowens played the past two seasons with the New York Jets. He is the third former Jets player brought to Cleveland by new coach Eric Mangini, who also signed cornerback Hank Poteat and defensive lineman C.J. Mosley.

Bears: Chicago moved offensive tackle John Tait from its active roster to the reserve/retired list. Tait, a 10-year NFL veteran who spent the past five years with Chicago, is expected to retire.

Texans: Houston re-signed free-agent safety Nick Ferguson, who joined the Texans before the 2008 season after five seasons in Denver. Ferguson had 52 tackles last season.

Cardinals: Arizona signed long-snapper Mike Leach, who spent the past seven seasons with Denver.

Jets: Howard Green, Seattle's backup defensive tackle, agreed to a two-year contract with New York.

Vikings: Left tackle Bryant McKinnie won't face a trial after being allowed to enter a pretrial diversion program stemming from a fight outside a Miami nightclub in February 2008. ... Coach Brad Childress hired Dennis Polian, the son of Indianapolis president/general manager Bill Polian, to be his assistant. Dennis Polian most recently worked in the front office for Hamilton of the CFL.

Etc.: The NFL and Westwood One have extended their deal to broadcast games on the radio through 2010. Westwood One has had exclusive radio rights to NFL games since 1987.
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