Joe Horn tells the AJC he wants out

There's an article on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution website (written by Steve Wyche) where Joe Horn says that he wants out of Atlanta. He says he doesn't want to be a "just-in-case guy" for the Falcons.

Horn said neither he nor his agent has talked to the team about a trade but would in the near future. Thomas Dimitroff said, "He is still part of our team, and we still see a future for him here.

Horn then talks about coming to Atlanta and how he had been impressed with Arthur Blank.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, but if there was a chance that Horn was going to be on the team, it seems slim now.

I read that same article and when i was done i was disappointed but not angry.

The disappointing part is that he went to the media first , not the GM or Coach. I also felt the comment about going to a team to be a leader for young receivers was a cop out. It's not like we don't have a young group of recievers.

I think Joe just wants to be a first line guy, sadly I don't think he is anymore. To many injuries have slowed him.

He did go on to say how much he respected AB. I'd trade him and wish him luck.

Frankly, I have no problem with him over this article. He's not badmouthing the team, holding out while demanding a trade or any of that other stuff. Steve Wyche talked with him after the practice session, asked him how he envisioned his role with the team, and he answered openly and honestly.

What he said is true - he came here to be a starter, but now the team is heading in a different direction. He said he has no hard feelings, but it's time that he moved on. Good for him for expressing it with no malicious overtones, and good for Steve Wyche for not trying to push his buttons and make an ugly story out of it.

The bottom line is that a trade would help both Horn and the Falcons. The question is whether another team would take on his $2.5M base salary or if he'd be willing to renegotiate to make it happen.

If Joe Horn wants to  leave, please trade him.  The sooner he leaves the better so that the Falcons can firm up it's roster with players who want to play for the Falcons and Joe Horn can move on to another team.  At this point it is better to remove any players who do not want to be on the team early to prevent future distractions. 

I like Joe Horn and I don't blame the guy for wanting out. He is 36 years old and towards the end of his career. The Falcons are obviously rebuilding for the future so by all means let Joe Horn explore the option of playing for a contender and possibly getting a Super Bowl ring. I think it would be nice to see him go back to the Saints who I think have a great chance of going to the playoffs (barring injury) of course. He came here to play with Michael Vick and things didn't go as planned. Last year he still did alot of good things for our young recievers don't forget. So I say let the man out and if Lawyer Milloy wants out to, to explore the same option then by all means let these guys go. Milloy is a great player but in a year or two when we do get better he won't be here anyways as well.