saintz08

Horn wants Falcons' Mora fined for using cell phone

SAN ANTONIO -- While the New Orleans Saints need a win to avoid matching the worst record in franchise history, wide receiver Joe Horn also has a personal victory in mind this week.

Two years after he was fined $30,000 by the NFL for making a choreographed cell phone call to celebrate a touchdown, Horn said Wednesday he wants to see Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora similarly fined for using a cell phone Saturday during his team's loss at Tampa Bay.

Mora was seen making a call during overtime as he and other team officials were trying to find out what effect a tie would have on the Falcons' playoff hopes. Atlanta punted late in overtime, and Tampa Bay drove to a game-winning field goal that eliminated the Falcons from the playoffs.

Horn said he wants to ask NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who is scheduled to make a long-awaited visit with the hurricane-displaced Saints on Friday, why Mora has escaped punishment from the league.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Wednesday that the use of cell phones on the sidelines is prohibited, and that Mora's actions are under review by the league. He did not have a timetable for a decision.

"I want $30,000," said Horn. "I'm not trying to player-hate coach Mora, but it shouldn't be a double-standard league. A player gets fined, then a coach should get fined under any circumstances.

"Cell phones are prohibited in the NFL. So I think coach Mora should be fined $30,000 like I was."

After catching the second of four touchdown passes in a win over the New York Giants two years ago, Horn was handed a phone by teammate Michael Lewis, who pulled it out from under the padding used to protect the goal post.

Horn was still wearing his helmet when he punched in numbers, put the phone to the earhole and spoke into it for a few seconds.

It wasn't the first time Horn has questioned Tagliabue this season.

He blasted the league for the decision to move the Saints' first scheduled home game to Giants Stadium, the home of their opponent. Two months later, he wondered aloud why the commissioner had yet to visit the team in person.

The rest of the Saints' home games were split between Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., and the Alamodome in San Antonio. Horn said he doesn't want to play at Tiger Stadium after comments earlier this year by LSU chancellor Sean O'Keefe that the university would "rather not have the games here at all."

"If LSU don't want us there, I don't want to play on their nasty field," Horn said.

The Saints (3-12) need a win in Sunday's finale at Tampa Bay to avoid tying 1999 for the worst season in franchise history. That was Mike Ditka's final year in New Orleans before Jim Haslett took over in 2000.

Haslet isn't sure what he thinks about building momentum with a season-ending victory.

"We tried that last year -- we won four in a row," said Haslett, whose team went 8-8 last season after the strong finish. "I don't know if anything can carry over because of free agency, and maybe a hurricane hitting you."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2273630

\"Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn\'t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed.\" - George S. Patton
On another note, I\'ll take a bite of that crow 08. - Saintfan
Brooks is a moron!! - Halo