<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Falcons interested in former Saints WR Horn</span>By STEVE WYCHEThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 03/02/07The Atlanta Falcons might be on the path to bolstering their maligned wide receiver unit and a void in veteran leadership on offense by acquiring free agent wide receiver Joe Horn, who was released by the New Orleans Saints earlier this week.Atlanta also could be close to bolstering depth at two key positions with free agent players from the Cincinnati Bengals - one being former Falcons' tight end Reggie Kelly, according to an NFL official with knowledge of the situation.While finalizing a deal to sign Baltimore free agent fullback Ovie Mughelli, the Falcons' personnel and coaching staffs furiously went about trying to acquire desired players before they were lured away in a highly aggressive market.As for Horn, the Falcons and four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver have not broached contract negotiations but there is high interest from both sides, according to Horn's agent, Ralph Vitolo. A visit in Atlanta could be arranged for this weekend."We're not sure where it's going yet," Vitolo said. "They were the first team I spoke with. He'd be a perfect fit with those young guys. You team him with Alge Crumpler and Michael Vick and he might be the ingredient that helps them get to the Super Bowl. We are very interested and they seem to be too."Vitolo said Horn, 35, and Vick have been friends for years and that relationship could factor into Horn's possible union with his longtime NFC South rival. Vitolo did not say what Horn's asking price would be but he did say he's spoken to about seven teams about Horn.Atlanta could lose starting wide receiver Ashley Lelie to free agency, leaving Michael Jenkins, Roddy White and Brian Finneran, who is coming off season-ending knee surgery, as the only other wide receivers on the roster who have started in an NFL game.Horn has spent the past seven of his 11 NFL seasons with the Saints, catching at least 78 passes in five consecutive seasons. Durable for the majority of his career, hamstring and groin injuries limited Horn to 23 games the past two seasons, including 10 last season.Horn is known for being charismatic, outspoken and for his infamous touchdown celebration in 2003, when he hid a cell phone under the padding of a goal post, grabbed it and pretended to make a call. The celebration drew a $30,000 fine. The NFL banned props from touchdown celebrations shortly thereafter.As for Kelly, a return to Atlanta could come in conjunction with his familiarity with new Falcons offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, formerly the Bengals' wide receivers coach. Kelly, the Falcons 1999, second-round draft choice, visited with team officials Friday.Kelly is known for his blocking and is versatile enough to play the H-back role new coach Bobby Petrino employs. If Kelly signs with the Falcons, backup tight end Eric Beverly likely would be cut.Outside linebacker Marcus Wilkins also visited with Falcons' coaches Friday. He would replace Ike Reese, who was released, as a versatile backup and special teams anchor if he were to sign with Atlanta.
As a veteran mentor to help the young kids along, it would be a good move. As a player, you're wasting you're time with a 35 year old WR who's on his last legs.
