rodjmaw

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Saints WR agrees to extension

Horn works out with team, ready to be leader to 'young guys'


Friday May 23, 2003


By Brian Allee-Walsh
Staff writer

Saints Pro-Bowl wide receiver Joe Horn ended his two-month contract dispute Thursday, agreeing in principle to a one-year extension that binds him to the team through the 2005 season.

Horn worked out with teammates Thursday for the first time since the team began its off-season conditioning program in mid-March. He boycotted minicamp May 2-4 in protest.


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Horn, 31, would not disclose terms of the extension, but sources said it is believed he will receive a $6.8 million signing bonus paid in several installments.

Horn was seeking an average salary during the three-year contract commensurate with the NFL's top 10 highest-paid wide receivers, between $4.5 million and $5.1 million annually.

Horn said he would sign the extension late next week. He had his contract restructured May 31, 2002. League rules prohibit a team from restructuring a player's contract more than once every 12 months.

Horn was scheduled to make base salaries of $2.7 million and $2.9 million in 2003 and 2004.

"Some guys in the league get what they want," Horn said. "Some guys in the league get more than they really deserve. Some guys don't get what they deserve. I'll let (the media) figure out where Joe Horn stands.

"I know this: Joe Horn is happy. I wouldn't have signed off on it if I wasn't happy with it. I'm just happy to be back with all my fellas."

Horn is expected to participate in the team's upcoming "coaching sessions," a series of 14 practices that begin Tuesday and run through June 18.

"This wasn't all about money, because I have money saved and could have stayed out the entire year," said Horn, who has averaged 88 receptions, 1,306 yards and eight touchdowns per season since joining the Saints in 2000. "I wasn't hurting financially.

"It got done because of Jim Haslett, (Saints receivers coach) Hubbard Alexander and my teammates. That's why I did the deal. I wanted to be over there for those young guys. They need a veteran leader, and I'm that guy."

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was en route to Seattle for the Memorial Day weekend and could not be reached for comment, team spokesman Greg Bensel said.

"I'm glad to get this over with," Horn said. "The only thing I'm upset about is it took so long. I didn't understand why it took so long. I couldn't get that. But it's irrelevant now because I'm back in the fold.

"You can best believe that Joe Horn will not miss a beat over the next three years. I'm going to do what I've been doing the last three years _ show up on Sunday and do what Joe Horn does best; try to get this team to the Super Bowl."

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Brian Allee-Walsh can be reached at ballee-walsh@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3805.



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[Edited on 23/5/2003 by rodjmaw]