Disgruntled Falcons WR Horn skips workouts, team functions

'There's not really anything we can do about that,' head coach Smith says

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/22/08

Flowery Branch — Disgruntled Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn has not attended the team's three voluntary workouts this week and does not plan to attend any team functions unless they are mandatory, according to his agent.

"These are optional workouts right now and Joe's option is he chose not to be here," Falcons coach Mike Smith said Thursday after a non-contact workout (OTA). "There's not really anything we can do about that. You'd like to have all your guys here but the [collective bargaining agreement] is pretty concrete in what we can do and can't do.

"We've had our mandatory workouts. When we open up [training] camp we anticipate Joe will be here."

On the final day of minicamp earlier this month, Horn, 36, expressed a desire to be traded because he said he felt the team planned on using younger players at wide receiver. Horn, who started most of last season after signing a four-year, free-agent contract worth up to $19 million, said he didn't want to be a "just-in-case guy."

Falcons' general manager Thomas Dimitroff has said he expects Horn to be a part of the team. Ralph Vitolo, Horn's agent, said he has not been granted permission by the Falcons to seek a trade.

One potential hang up is Horn's $2.5 million salary in 2008 is guaranteed. That could be too hefty a price for a team to make a trade. For the Falcons, it could be a hefty price for a wide receiver who might not be in the top-three rotation.

Roddy White and Laurent Robinson have worked as the starting wideouts. Michael Jenkins, Horn and rookie Harry Douglas have worked in a variety of roles in different packages as the second- or third-team receivers.

Ryan reaction

Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan took some light-hearted ribbing by his teammates Thursday, the first time they'd seen him since he signed a six-year, $72 million contract.

"The guys, everybody is going to give you a little bit of hard time but it's all in good nature," Ryan said. "They all congratulated me and I think we've got good chemistry in the locker room."

While the tenor toward Ryan was rather pleasant, some of the reaction around the league to the No. 3 overall pick receiving the most guaranteed money ever for a rookie — $34.5 million — was negative.

"As a guy who has been in the league for 14, now going on 15, years and being around other veteran guys, for a young guy to get paid that kind of money and never steps foot on an NFL football field, it's a little disheartening to think of," Tennessee center and NFL Players Association president Kevin Mawae said on ESPN radio Wednesday. Ryan's reaction: "I have a lot of respect for the guys who've put in a lot of time in this league. They've worked hard and they are the backbone of this league. For me, the situation I was in, it's the nature of being a rookie at this time and where I was picked and the position I play.

"That's where the contract fell. I'm just happy it's done."

Thurman not on radar

Former UGA linebacker Odell Thurman, who was released by Cincinnati Monday after being suspended the past two seasons for substance-abuse violations, will not be pursued by the Falcons.

"We are pleased with our linebackers," Dimitroff said. "We'll move forward with the players we have on our roster."