No More Horn Blowin' in New Orleans: Atlanta Falcons Sign Joe Horn
But there'll be no more Horn blowin' in New Orleans. The Atlanta Falcons signed Joe Horn to a contract, today. And like many sore New Orleans Saints before him, Joe Horn is now playing for divisional rival, Atlanta Falcons. His move came after an apparent rift between the coach and him. Coach Sean Payton maintains that it was agreed that Joe Horn wanted to, and was free to, test his worth out on the free-agency market. While the very public Joe Horn hinted that the coach felt they could win without him and that he was asked to take a pay-cut. He was set to receive 3.3 million dollars this year for his services as well as a signing bonus should he re-sign with the Saints.
Rift or not, one of New Orleans Saints' most prolific receivers, second all-time only to LSU product Eric Martin, in receptions with 523, receiving yards 7622, and first in TD receptions 50, Joe Horn is now with those dirty-birds, arch-rival Atlanta Falcons.
He takes with him a league-wide reputation as a tough receiver that could take the biggest of hits and bounce right back up. And before being injury-plagued last year, and the Katrina-Rita season the year before, Joe Horn had become one of the best go-to-receivers in the league, being thrown to on 3rd and 4th down more than any other receiver in the NFC.
During those first five years with the Saints, starting in 2000-2004, he averaged 87 catches and 9 TDs a year, translating into 1 TD every 10 times he touched the ball. Sadly enough, all of that production didn't translate into his being able to 'toot his own horn' in the playoffs the two years the Saints went, while he was here. His first year with the playoff-bound Saints in 2000 and his last year, this past year, he didn't have any catches in the playoffs, something he'd always looked forward to with this team. Unfortunately, despite all of his outwardly public support for a winning team in New Orleans, now he's going to Atlanta having never realized his dreams for himself and the city.
Perhaps in Atlanta he'll be able to revive his career as it was before these last two years In New Orleans. And while his hard-running speed has diminished as of late, as it does with so many aging football players, his route-running has only gotten better. Let's just hope, for the Saints' sake, it doesn't get too good.
Published by T. H. Pankey - Featured Contributor in Movies
Lifetime lover of lemonade, iced tea, cafe au lait, and especially food had in New Orleans and New York, T. H. Pankey has worked in a number of restaurants--including one of the oldest and finest dining esta... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a Commentthanks Laura-it's on now!
I oh so dislike football, but I got your back T.H. :)
Oh and Paul-you know I've returned the comment fave. shine on.
Thanks Antoinette! I wrote it with someone like yourself in mind-so I do appreciate your candor. thank you
I am not up to date on pro sports but your article has me even wanting him stay in New Orleans. I guess I just don't understand the concept of a player being sent to play with the rivals. Great article by the way.
Joe Horn's leadership will be missed greatly this year in New Orleans. Joe introduced "GreatCatch" (www.TheGreatCatch.com) to the Saints at last years training camp. This Hot new training aid is helping players of every level to catch the football better. Joe is a leader and innovator, his presents on the field will be very important to the Falcons young group of receivers. Joe is a great football player but his greatest gift may be his ability to lead by example on and off the field. Go get'em Joe!
Douglas Byrd High rules! Joe Horn was massive in high school and lettered in just about every sport there. He took the hard road to the NFL. I wish him and his family the best.