Joe Horn wants to be traded (1 Viewer)

[Tecumseh]

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Falcons' Horn asks to be traded

By STEVE WYCHE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 05/12/08

Flowery Branch — Falcons veteran wide receiver Joe Horn said Monday that he would like to be traded instead of remaining with the team as a "just-in-case guy."

"I want to win a Super Bowl and I want to win a Super Bowl here in Atlanta, but I don't think I can help this team win a Super Bowl sitting on the bench, waiting for third down," Horn said.

Horn said he had not approached the team yet about his desire to be dealt but that him and/or his agent would in the near future.

When told of Horn's remarks, general manager Thomas Dimitroff said: "He is still part of our team and we still see a future for him here."

Horn said that he would be professional for as long as he remains with the Falcons. He said he hopes the Falcons will push to deal him to a team who values him as a contributor.

"They're going with the younger guys and I don't have a problem with that, if that's the course they've chosen," Horn said. "I want to have an opportunity to play with a team that needs a veteran to play and contribute and who helps the young guys.

"I'm not rocking the boat. The main reason I came here last year was for [owner] Arthur Blank. His character, his passion and the way he takes care of his people. I relish the opportunity to play here. I haven't talked to Mr. Blank but so far the way it seems, I think they want to go younger."

Horn, 36, made his remarks after the fifth and final session of a mandatory minicamp. During the five workouts — and during a pre-draft minicamp in April — second-year player Laurent Robinson replaced Horn in the starting lineup alongside Roddy White.

Michael Jenkins and rookie Harry Douglas also took repetitions this weekend, which could have prompted Horn to feel as if he was being pushed down the depth chart. Brian Finneran, Eric Weems and Adam Jennings are also vying to be among the five-to-six wide receivers retained.

"I know I can still play — and start — but Roddy deserves his chance and Laurent Robinson is making plays and he deserves his chance," Horn said. "When I came here last year I was promised I'd be on the field and it turned out I was a just-in-case guy with the situation that went on. So far this year, it seems like that's the case again."

Horn is one of the few veterans remaining on a team that has been deconstructed after a tumultuous 4-12 2007 season. With players such as Warrick Dunn, Alge Crumpler, DeAngelo Hall and Wayne Gandy released or traded, Horn was expected to be one of the team leaders.

That's fine, he said, but he wants his role to be more than mentoring people to take his job.

Horn, once among the top wide receivers in the NFL during his seven seasons with New Orleans, signed a four-year, free-agent contract last summer worth up to $18.5 million with incentives. He is due $2.5 million in base salary this season.

Horn started 12 games last season and had 27 catches for 243 yards and one touchdown. It was his least productive season since 1998, when he had 14 receptions with Kansas City. He was bothered by a hamstring injury but his role under then-coach Bobby Petrino waned over the course of the season as Robinson emerged and White prospered.

Without speaking specifically to Horn's situation, coach Mike Smith said very few jobs are secure and that competition is the best way to build a depth chart and roster.

 

[Sabertooth]

Didn't realize he was still in the league.

 

[EBF]

Joe Horn doesn't need a trade. He needs a time machine so he can go back to 2002 when he was still relevant.

 

[seatownfavorite]

C'mon Seattle, we need something out there. Hass needs someone to throw to.

 

[MAC_32]

C'mon Seattle, we need something out there. Hass needs someone to throw to.

You know you're desparate for WR help when you're pleading for your team to sign on old, injury prone, washed up cast off from a team that's coming off a 4-12 season and is expected to be picking in the top 5 again in 2009.

 

[seatownfavorite]

C'mon Seattle, we need something out there. Hass needs someone to throw to.

You know you're desparate for WR help when you're pleading for your team to sign on old, injury prone, washed up cast off from a team that's coming off a 4-12 season and is expected to be picking in the top 5 again in 2009.

I have no illusions about Seattles receiving core. A guy with experience and maybe a little something left to prove is alright by me.

 

[Ozymandias]

C'mon Seattle, we need something out there. Hass needs someone to throw to.

You know you're desparate for WR help when you're pleading for your team to sign on old, injury prone, washed up cast off from a team that's coming off a 4-12 season and is expected to be picking in the top 5 again in 2009.

I have no illusions about Seattles receiving core. A guy with experience and maybe a little something left to prove is alright by me.

You talkin' about Homgren? He can't get separation.

 

[seatownfavorite]

Seattle's offense is more about route running and hands than speed. Bobby Engram was our best receiver last year.

 

[Slinger]

That's cute. A sucky, old WR wants to be traded. I can so see another team wanting his services.

Edit to add: I mean seriously. Dude should be happy to have a job in the NFL.

 

[DoubleG]

Seattle's offense is more about route running and hands than speed. Bobby Engram was our best receiver last year.

Well maybe Horn would fit then, as he has no speed left.

 

[Ed Wood]

He shouldn't have waited until after the draft. Falcons probably couldn have gotten an eighth-round pick for him.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, DJ Hackett, and Nate Burleson are all better than Joe Horn.

We're talking about someone who's the WR4 for the Falcons, who haven't had any decent receivers since . . . Terance Mathis? (Roddy White played well last year, but Horn is still behind Laurent Robinson and Michael Jenkins.)

 

[Phurfur]

That's cute. A sucky, old WR wants to be traded. I can so see another team wanting his services.

Edit to add: I mean seriously. Dude should be happy to have a job in the NFL.

Exactly! So what he is saying is that he wants to sit on the bench of a SB contender rather than sit on the bench in Atl.

 

[Fodasme69]

Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, DJ Hackett, and Nate Burleson are all better than Joe Horn.

We're talking about someone who's the WR4 for the Falcons, who haven't had any decent receivers since . . . Terance Mathis? (Roddy White played well last year, but Horn is still behind Laurent Robinson and Michael Jenkins.)

He's in Carolina

 

[seatownfavorite]

Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, DJ Hackett, and Nate Burleson are all better than Joe Horn.We're talking about someone who's the WR4 for the Falcons, who haven't had any decent receivers since . . . Terance Mathis? (Roddy White played well last year, but Horn is still behind Laurent Robinson and Michael Jenkins.)

Hackett is gone, Branch is recovering from surgery and may not be ready for game 1, Engram wants a new contract and is a WR3 at best, and Burleson is just not very good. Maybe Obomanu will develop but I wouldn't mind giving a former Pro-Bowler a look.

 

[Summer Wheat]

Who would trade for Horn? The best he could hope for is to be released and catch on with a team at the vet minimum salary.

 

[Tom Servo]

He shouldn't have waited until after the draft. Falcons probably couldn have gotten an eighth-round pick for him.

Considering there's only 7 rounds in the NFL draft, that's saying something...

 

[Slinger]

That's cute. A sucky, old WR wants to be traded. I can so see another team wanting his services.

Edit to add: I mean seriously. Dude should be happy to have a job in the NFL.

Exactly! So what he is saying is that he wants to sit on the bench of a SB contender rather than sit on the bench in Atl.

Every player says that. The truth of the matter is he just wants more and is delusional in thinking he'll acquire it.

 

[a_rackowski]

Philly should look at him. The Bears could use him. Denver maybe.

He can still latch on somewhere and produce some numbers, and there should be a market for a guy like him.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, DJ Hackett, and Nate Burleson are all better than Joe Horn.

We're talking about someone who's the WR4 for the Falcons, who haven't had any decent receivers since . . . Terance Mathis? (Roddy White played well last year, but Horn is still behind Laurent Robinson and Michael Jenkins.)

He's in Carolina

I knew that.

 

[Slinger]

Philly should look at him. The Bears could use him. Denver maybe. He can still latch on somewhere and produce some numbers, and there should be a market for a guy like him.

Joe Horn is officially dead from a NFL and FF perspective. He has zero chance of gaining more than 200 yards this season.If anyone has Horn on their rosters it's time to drop him.

 

[arlingtonpark27]

That's cute. A sucky, old WR wants to be traded. I can so see another team wanting his services.

Edit to add: I mean seriously. Dude should be happy to have a job in the NFL.

Exactly! So what he is saying is that he wants to sit on the bench of a SB contender rather than sit on the bench in Atl.

Every player says that. The truth of the matter is he just wants more and is delusional in thinking he'll acquire it.

His base salary is $2.5 million for this year. How will he get that anywhere else? I'd ride the pine to make that much and be happy.

 

[TheFanatic]

So?

 

[Ketamine Dreams]

That's cute. A sucky, old WR wants to be traded. I can so see another team wanting his services.

Edit to add: I mean seriously. Dude should be happy to have a job in the NFL.

Exactly! So what he is saying is that he wants to sit on the bench of a SB contender rather than sit on the bench in Atl.

Every player says that. The truth of the matter is he just wants more and is delusional in thinking he'll acquire it.

His base salary is $2.5 million for this year. How will he get that anywhere else? I'd ride the pine to make that much and be happy.

That's what I was wondering... Why in the world are they paying him $2.5 million? He's certainly not worth that...

 

[LHUCKS]

I think Horn can still be a decent slot guy...I'd want to be traded if I were him too.

 

[Jon_Moore]

Do you blame him for wanting to be traded? They aren't winning anytime soon. He isn't getting significant playing time soon. It's obviously not about more money, we can put that to rest. Maybe with the right team, he's at least a 4th receiving option, and he'll have SOME chance of the superbowl.

 

[Beefeaters]

He must be seeing the writing on the wall going up against some young kids in Atlanta. He thinks he will be cut (my opinion). Maybe he gets picked up by someone else for less money, maybe not. Either way, the only way for him to save face and keep making some decent money for doing nothing is to try to work a trade. I can't see that happening. Anyone interested will just wait for him to be cut and pick him up on the cheap. Tennessee maybe?

 

[Slinger]

His base salary is $2.5 million for this year. How will he get that anywhere else? I'd ride the pine to make that much and be happy.

That's a trick question. He's not going to get paid 2.5 million by the Falcons or any other team. Atlanta will drop him before he gets paid that amount and a legit team won't want his services. As I mentioned before, he's symbolically dead from a NFL and FF perspective. Let him go folks...let him go.He was a really good WR at one point, but no more. RIP Horn. Rest in peace.

 

[sholditch]

Didn't realize he was still in the league.

Hell, the Falcons probably forgot he was on their team.

 

[sholditch]

Philly should look at him. The Bears could use him. Denver maybe.

He can still latch on somewhere and produce some numbers, and there should be a market for a guy like him.

Umm, we already traded in our washed out vet for another washed out vet, so we're full.

 

[Bizkiteer]

Not sure what site it was where I read it, but I agree in that Joe Horn is bascially asking his career to come to an end. He's got little to offer at this point and it doesn't bode well that he's asked to be traded in as few as 2 years. So, instead of helping the young WR's learn...he's showing them how to not be a happy camper. Bye bye Joe...enjoy life after the NFL.

 

[Illegal Pants Downfield]

Philly should look at him. The Bears could use him. Denver maybe.

He can still latch on somewhere and produce some numbers, and there should be a market for a guy like him.

Umm, we already traded in our washed out vet for another washed out vet, so we're full.

I don't want to speak on his behalf, but perhaps a_rackowski was suggesting Horn could play QB for the Bears?

 

[mad sweeney]

Seattle's offense is more about route running and hands than speed. Bobby Engram was our best receiver last year.

There's no place on the team for a guy that announces to the press he wants a trade without even talking to the team or the admired team owner first. We already have an old guy who runs good routes and has great hands, Engram. Horn is not the type of veteran the team needs.

 

[Garts]

Joe Horn think's Joe Horn has anything left? Jor Horn don't know the real Joe Horn.

 

[PatrickT]

I didn't really want him in the first place, never could figure out why they went out and got him. About the best thing I can say is that he may have contributed some veteran leadership that helped the young 'uns succeed. If that's so, thanks and good luck, Joe.

 

[Banger]

KC should be on the phone with Atlanta. Horn, even with his diminished ability, is still probably better than half the guys on their roster. I believe he started his career there as well.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

I hear there is a Senior Living Home in the Atlanta area

that is expressing interest in Joe Horn.

 

[Ed Wood]

He shouldn't have waited until after the draft. Falcons probably couldn have gotten an eighth-round pick for him.

Considering there's only 7 rounds in the NFL draft, that's saying something...

Sarcasm meter down?

 

[Biabreakable]

If Horn is making more than 5 mil for this season he probobly will be cut. So maybe this is pre-cut posturing to try to let other teams know he still has a pulse.

Personally I wouldn't take on his bad attitude when he doesen't offer much else for a team at this point.

 

[westbrook36]

Nobody wants to trade for Joe Horn. He should keep his mouth shut, because he'll probably wind up getting cut.

 

[greenf7cat]

KC should be on the phone with Atlanta. Horn, even with his diminished ability, is still probably better than half the guys on their roster. I believe he started his career there as well.

you are correct sir!!!

 

[Doug B]

I would think the Saints would take Horn back for a close-to-veteran-minimum salary.

 

[Mikey16x]

I think Horn can still be a decent slot guy...I'd want to be traded if I were him too.

That's the reason he's complaining in the first place. He is the slot guy.. he's looking to be at least a #2. I'm not sure what Joe Horn is thinking and I do agree he can probably be a decent slot guy in a place like KC or Chicago. He has 0 speed left but he does have the experience. Horn needs to face the fact that age eventually catches up to everybody and he should be happy collecting his 2.5 mil this season while being in the slot bc to me 27 catches isn't worth 2.5 mil.