Saints' Horn trying to move on

By By Richard Dark / EMG staff writer
Dec. 19, 2003
METAIRIE, La. While he was extremely forthcoming in the national spotlight about his feelings on the entire cell phone episode, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn wanted to clam up in his first meeting with the local media following Wednesday's practice.
Although he may have "accepted" the fine, Horn's agent Ralph Vitolo reportedly has said they will appeal the amount.
He almost missed that chance.
But he finally admitted, after much prodding that he did in fact regret the incident on some levels.
But the questioning continued, so Horn intensified his stance. "I'm through with. If what I did was so negative, then why are we all still here talking about it? Why is it all over the TV? Stop asking me about it."
Horn also said he was not looking for any commercial endorsements from any cellular companies in light of the national media firestorm.
His coach Jim Haslett was even more adamant, cutting off every reporter who tried to address the issue.
His owner Tom Benson apparently went to bat for him with the league office, perhaps being a factor in his not receiving a suspension.
Unrepentant Beer Man
His accomplice, Michael Lewis, said he did not regret doing it. Horn still maintains that he will pay Lewis' $5,000 fine. "There's no regret out there," he said. "I am sorry that everything that has happened has been taken the wrong way by everybody."
Injury updates
Fullback Terrelle Smith will miss his second straight game this weekend with a staph infection in his jaw. Defensive tackle Willie Whitehead did not work Wednesday and is questionable. Fred McAfee was limited in practice and is also questionable.
Fine Four
Saints safety Victor Green, a former New York Jet, was named to that team's Four Decade team on Wednesday.
Quick quotable: "He is a crowd pleaser and I can't knock that. I am here to play football and that is how I entertain people, by playing football." – NFC Offensive Player of the Week, Aaron Brooks, on his wide receiver Horn and his cell phone fine.