Aug 20, 2008

Horn calls out to every team; Jason David demoted

The Miami Herald reports that new free agent WR Joe Horn's agent has contacted every NFL team (besides Atlanta) about bringing in the former Pro Bowler. Horn's short list of teams includes the Dolphins, the Cowboys, the Titans, the Jaguars and the Rams. Don't expect a return trip to the Big Easy for Horn though.

While his agent may have contacted the Saints, I imagine that was a short phone call. To say Horn and Coach Sean Payton didn't see eye to eye in New Orleans would be an understatement. Even though Horn was one of the best WRs the Saints have ever had, Payton will not bring him back.

While he was highly productive, he was also highly vocal. He was a team leader, but he also talked to the media...a lot. He presented a team first attitude, but that didn't always come across. His big "look at me" moment with his cell phone didn't help his reputation either.

I am a big Joe Horn fan. In my lifetime, he and Eric Martin are the best receivers the Saints have suited up (give Marques Colston a few more years and he'll be in that group). Horn was a fan favorite in New Orleans and always looked out for the life long Saints fans. But he doesn't fit on this team. The aging veteran WR role is filled by the currently more productive and less vocal David Patten. There's a log jam of young receivers waiting to emerge so WR isn't a need at all. Barring a major rash of injuries, the Saints will stay far away from Horn.

So where will he land? His agent expects him to sign with someone in the next few days. I could see him reunited with former coach Jim Haslett in St. Louis but could also see him somewhere like Cincinnati, Tennessee or Seattle.

In the obvious move of the week category, Jason David has been demoted to second team cornerback. Rookie Tracy Porter has been running with the first team defense, while David joins veteran Aaron Glenn with the second unit. David may still make this team, but if he's the starting CB, then the Saints defense is in a lot of trouble.

To help out the secondary, the Saints have signed veteran safety Lance Schulters. I'm not sure how much Schulters has left after being in the league for 10 years, but after only a handfull of practices, he's lining up alongside Josh Bullocks with the second team defense. That goes to show how weak and beat up the Saints secondary is right now, when a guy off the street walks in and becomes your top backup at safety. I have my doubts that he'll make this team though. Bullocks will likely make the team as the backup safety and Chris Reis will make the squad for his special teams ability. I doubt they keep five safeties, and Schulters probably won't play on special teams.

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