papz

AP reports after saying Thursday night that he would not report to the Saints until a new contact was done, WR Joe Horn said on Friday that because negotiations had re-opened, he will report on Monday for the start of the Saints' offseason conditioning program. The Saints paid Horn a $1 million roster bonus on Thursday, March 18. Contrary to published reports, the Saints have been trying in earnest to negotiate a new long-term contract for Horn that would lower his 2005 cap hit and secure his career in New Orleans. The Saints asked Horn to delay the $1 million roster bonus during negotiations, but Horn and his agent Ralph Vitolo refused. Saints GM Mickey Loomis and HC Jim Haslett are on the way to Hawaii for owner's meetings so negotiations, for the next few days, could be over the phone. The Saints' last offer included a $7 million signing bonus, a $2 million roster bonus in March 2006, $650,000 salary for the 2005 season, $700,000 for 06 and a $5.4 million salary in 2007. Both sides have agreed that the contract can be for six years so that the Saints can spread the signing bonus out and reduce Horn's immediate cap hit. Horn is currently due $3.8 million in base salary this season. Vitolo has come down to - and said he will not move off of - $8 million signing bonus up front, $2 million roster bonus next March, $800,000 salary in 05, $1 million in 06, and $5.9 million in 07. Key to this deal, according to Horn and Vitolo, is the first three years, which average $18 million, $6 million per year. The 2005 transition tag number for wide receivers, the average of the top ten player salaries at the position, is $6.5 million. The franchise tag, the average of the top five, is $7.768 million. The Saints turned down the counter offer on Thursday and had no choice but to play Horn his $1 million roster bonus from the contract he signed two years ago.

That's pretty affordable and not bad for both sides. Basically a three year contract.