CLEARWATER, Fla. — After three days of combing 24,000 miles of ocean, the Coast Guard yesterday stopped searching for two NFL players and a third man lost in rough, chilly Gulf of Mexico waters off the Florida coast.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, free-agent defensive lineman Corey Smith, who played with the Detroit Lions last season, and former South Florida player William Bleakley, had been missing since Saturday when their boat capsized during a fishing trip.

Bleakley's father said he thought the Coast Guard did everything it could and that his expectations lowered after only one survivor was found Monday, nearly two days after the four friends were knocked out of their 21-foot boat.

"I think they were not to be found," Robert Bleakley said.

Coast Guard Capt. Timothy Close said officials were sure that if there were any more survivors, they would have been found.

Crews did rescue Bleakley's former South Florida teammate, 24-year-old Nick Schuyler, who managed to stay with the boat.

DOLPHINS

SATELE IN LINEUP MOVE

Center Jake Grove has signed a multiyear contract with the Miami Dolphins, which could mean a shake-up in their line.

Grove, who signed yesterday, became an unrestricted free agent after spending his first five seasons with the Oakland Raiders. He's expected to challenge for a starting job with the Dolphins, who might move center Samson Satele to guard.

Satele, a University of Hawai'i alum, has been Miami's starting center since the beginning of his rookie season in 2007.

ELSEWHERE

Bengals: Free-agent running back Cedric Benson decided to stay with Cincinnati, accepting a two-year deal from the Bengals, who liked what he did late last season and wanted him to stay as their top running back. Financial terms were not released.

Broncos: Denver insisted Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler isn't on the trading block and said new coach Josh McDaniels and his star player are scheduled to meet next week to try to patch up their strained relationship. Cutler was angered when his name came up in talks involving a three-way trade that would have sent him to Tampa Bay.

Buccaneers: Free-agent running back Derrick Ward feels he's a perfect fit for Tampa, signing a four-year, $17 million contract yesterday to join a team that's trying to build a new identity after watching an aging defense falter during a season-ending collapse that cost the Bucs a playoff spot.

Cardinals: Kurt Warner has made a counteroffer to Arizona that could pave the way for his return. Warner's agent said he has offered a two-year deal worth $23 million, with $12 million guaranteed. The Cardinals reportedly offered a two-year, $20 million contract with $10 million guaranteed.

Jets: New York signed safety Jim Leonhard to a three-year deal yesterday, the second player new coach Rex Ryan has lured away from Baltimore. Leonhard had 69 regular-season tackles last season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.