Joe Horn said that he’s not bitter to be leaving the New Orleans Saints – just sad. Horn, a four-time Pro Bowl receiver released by the team March 1, said money was never an issue in the split. It was a matter of respect and a feeling he didn’t fit into coach Sean Payton’s plans for the team, he told reporters.
“I’m not bitter. I’m just sad to know I have to leave when they’re going to the next level,” Horn said. “I wanted to be there for them.”
The Saints went to the NFC championship for the first time in franchise history last season, losing to the Chicago Bears. It was before that game that Horn knew his time with the team was over, he said.
“I was cleared by my doctors to play, I went out and ran at practice,” Horn said. “In my heart I wanted to play and felt I could contribute. But I wasn’t in the plan.”
Horn caught 523 passes for 7,622 yards and scored a team-record 50 touchdowns since coming to New Orleans as a free agent in 2000. He ranks second in club history in catches and yardage and is the team’s career leader in 100-yard receiving games with 27.
“Six years ago when I got here, I made a commitment to do everything in my power to take the team to the next level,” Horn said. “Through good times and bad times I wore that helmet with pride.”
Good times were rare for the Saints during Horn’s stay. Although he was with the Saints for their first playoff victory in 2000, he also endured a 3-13 year.
Horn, who turned 35 in January, said he took pride in the Saints’ jump in status, even though he missed the last four regular-season games in 2006 and both playoff games because of a groin injury.
He had 37 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season.
“I’m happy the Saints are one of the best teams now,” Horn said. “Because when I got here the Saints were the laughing stock of the league.”
The Saints’ new offense, with the multiple threats of Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush, and receivers Marques Colston and Devery Henderson, made him proud, Horn said. He would have had no trouble with any role asked of him to take, Horn said. But he felt he had no role and said during the season he was frequently not shown much respect.
“When I say I want respect, I don’t mean I want Coach Payton to sit at my locker with a cup of coffee and have a bunch of roses at my locker,” he said. “All I ask is to be treated like a man and not a 20-year-old rookie.”
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Horn wanted to test his value as a free agent. Horn said he wanted to retire as a Saint and money was not the issue.
“If I felt I was wanted here I would have played for $2.50,” Horn said.
The Saints said Payton would have no comment at this time.
Horn would not say if he had heard from teams or where he’d like to play. He feels he can play for another two or three years, he said.
“I love New Orleans, I will always love New Orleans,” Horn said. “When I retire, I may be back here.
