Gunzlingr
05-05-2003, 08:24 AM
Contract negotiations between Saints officials and disgruntled wide receiver Joe Horn have reached a "stalemate," the player's agent said Saturday.
Horn boycotted the Saints' minicamp this past weekend and has not participated in their off-
season conditioning program, saying he would remain estranged from the team until a new agreement can be reached.
Horn's contract runs through the 2004 season. Horn's agent, Ralph Vitolo, said the player essentially is seeking a one-year extension that averages between $4.5 million and $5.1 million over the length of the contract.
Vitolo said the last offer from Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was approximately $4.3 million, including a signing bonus between $6 million and $7 million.
"I was optimistic that we could get a deal done until last week," Vitolo said. "But right now I don't think that we can make any more progress. If they want to conclude this, they're going to have to be more flexible."
MORE (http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1052114278128800.xml)
Horn boycotted the Saints' minicamp this past weekend and has not participated in their off-
season conditioning program, saying he would remain estranged from the team until a new agreement can be reached.
Horn's contract runs through the 2004 season. Horn's agent, Ralph Vitolo, said the player essentially is seeking a one-year extension that averages between $4.5 million and $5.1 million over the length of the contract.
Vitolo said the last offer from Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was approximately $4.3 million, including a signing bonus between $6 million and $7 million.
"I was optimistic that we could get a deal done until last week," Vitolo said. "But right now I don't think that we can make any more progress. If they want to conclude this, they're going to have to be more flexible."
MORE (http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1052114278128800.xml)