Former Raider Darrell Russell was killed in an auto accident in 2005. Starting strong safety Eric Turner was struck by an aggressive form of intestinal cancer, leaving 1999 thinking he had a stomach problem and dying before the 2000 season.

In 1998, second-round draft pick Leon Bender, who had made a big impression during his first minicamp and on draft day, died of a seizure in Marietta, Ga. A few months later, running back Tim Hall, who had been cut a few weeks before, was murdered in what is believed to be a case of mistaken identity as a passenger in a car in Kansas City, Mo.

This past offseason, former Raider Gene Upshaw, chief executive of the NFL Players Association, died of pancreatic cancer.

The deaths take their toll on Al Davis, the Raiders 79-year-old owner, according to assistant coach and director of squad development Willie Brown.

"Anytime a Raider player is involved in any kind of accident, or death, it doesn't sit well with him," Brown said. "Knowing that a loved one, knowing a part of our family has passed away or is on the verge of passing away, it's always tough to deal with."

Raiders coach Tom Cable preferred to keep his conversations with Davis quiet.

"We've spoken about it and it's difficult for everybody," Cable said. "I think the focus needs to remain with (Cooper) until we have some conclusion."

Cooper, along with Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith and friends Nick Schuyler and William Bleakney, left Saturday and did not return. The Coast Guard eventually found Schuyler on Monday, clinging to an overturned boat.

The other three were never found.

Cooper signed with the Raiders on Nov. 5 following a tryout and made an immediate impact on all four special teams, twice winning game balls for his play.

He was particularly close with the linebackers. Sam Williams said Howard had told him of a fishing trip in recent weeks where there were problems with the navigation system and they had arrived late to shore.

"It's surreal," linebacker Kirk Morrison said. "When I say he was a good guy, that's not doing him justice. During the time I knew him, he was a great guy."

Morrison said he hoped there was a way for the team to remember him and had looked forward to seeing him when the club convened for conditioning on March 16.

"He was genuine," Morrison said. "Usually when a guy signs in the middle of the season, there's a feeling-out process. But from day one, you could see on film that he could contribute. He made us better on special teams. And he was a mature guy, already established with what he was doing with football and family."

Cooper kept to himself in the locker room, politely responding to reporter's questions without elaboration.

Until someone brought up his favorite hobby.

"There's nothing else I'd rather do," Cooper said. "Gotta fish every chance I get. I always have a good day out there, always have a good time fishing."

--Isaiah Ekejiuba, an alternate to the Pro Bowl as a special teams player, was re-signed to a three-year contract worth $5.4 million -- making him the NFL's highest paid core special teams player.

Ekejiuba played only eight snaps on defense all season.

It was the second considerable investment the Raiders had made on special teams, bringing back Shane Lechler with a four-year, $16 million deal which is nearly twice as much as any punter has ever received.

Tight end Tony Stewart, also a core special teams player and the Raiders' second tight end behind Zach Miller, was also re-signed.

--The Miami Dolphins made Jake Grove an offer he couldn't refuse, one that was too rich for the Raiders' blood.

As a result, the Raiders lost their starting center after a successful comeback from microfracture surgery on his right knee.

The Dolphins' offer included a $14 million guarantee, and while Grove said he wanted to return to the Raiders as soon as he learned Cable would be the head coach, Oakland didn't come up with anything close.

"I appreciate everything the Raiders did for me," Cable said. "I look forward to the competition in the AFC East."

Grove played in 12 of 16 games and has been injury prone over the last three seasons.

--The demise of Javon Walker was greatly exaggerated.

The demise of his paycheck was not.

Walker agreed to a contract restructure that constituted a huge pay cut and will remain for the Raiders, possibly for the next two years.

Instead of $4 million in salary, Walker will get $2 million. Instead of a $5 million roster bonus, he'll settle for having his salaries guaranteed this year and next year.

By cutting his salary in half, losing the bonus and adding the $1.83 million salary pro-ration from his $11 million signing bonus, Walker's cap number dropped by $7 million dollars.

He caught just 15 passes last year, getting a slow start after being beaten and robbed in Las Vegas. He missed time with a hamstring injury and ended the year on injured reserve after ankle surgery.

"This shows Javon's loyalty and commitment to our football team," team executive John Herrera said. "He's coming off a season where he was injured, but he's been productive in the past and it's not a stretch to think he could come back to that level."

--The Raiders are looking for someone to be JaMarcus Russell's backup.

They already signed Bruce Gradkowski, who has experience as a starter in Tampa Bay and played for Cleveland last year. Among the latest visitors were Seattle's Charlie Frye and former Ravens starter Kyle Boller.

Andrew Walter remains on the roster, in the last year of his contract, but was demoted to third string for the final four games behind current free agent Marques Tuiasosopo.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's a guy that the NFL is all about. He kind of bounced around and earned his way through this whole thing." -- Raiders coach Tom Cable on Marquis Cooper, the linebacker and special teams player missing at sea.