FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Joe Horn looks back on the seven years he spent as a New Orleans Saint with love. It's an unexpected sentiment considering his release from the team following the 2006 season. But, always conversational, Horn still talks of the true passion he has for the hurricane-rattled city on the banks of the Mississippi River and its citizens.
"My concern is the city," Horn said when asked about his return to New Orleans this weekend as his new team, the Falcons, play their second intra-division game of the season. "I want to know if people have come back. I want to know if the houses are being built. I care about the fans. The football team? I play for the Atlanta Falcons. I really do care about the fans and my heart is still in New Orleans."
Horn became a key figure as the Saints helped New Orleans rebound from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and 2006. He built a history through fan relationships the same way dozens of face-to-face struggles between the Falcons and Saints have created a storied rivalry.
Horn may have love for the city, but there's not many gushy feelings between these two franchises on the field.
Atlanta leads the overall series 43-32. Three of the Falcons top-10 victory margins, including the largest in team history, came against the Saints. A 62-7 victory over New Orleans in 1973 still stands as a Falcons franchise record.
The Falcons have won 16 of 30 games played in the Superdome and won nine of the first 10 games played between the teams. Atlanta also won 10 straight games from 1995 to 2000. It's been a series of streaks and sweeps -- 24 times one squad has swept the other in a season.
Falcons fans of course remember the Saints two victories last season, especially a heart-filled and nationally-followed 23-3 win on Monday Night Football that reopened the Superdome.
The Falcons understood -- and understand -- the importance of that game, but can't help feel a need for some payback heading into Sunday's game.
"We lost that game not because of the crowd but because of our execution," linebacker Keith Brooking said Thursday. "We knew the whole world was going to be against us going in there and we needed to start fast. We kind of dug ourselves in a hole early with the blocked punt for a touchdown and the crowd really got going."
"I know last year we had the Monday night game where they were coming back from the hurricane," added guard Kynan Forney. "They were pretty pumped up. They came out and spanked us a little bit. We get to go back down there and, hopefully, we can get a little revenge on them."
A Falcons win would make the NFC South race a little more interesting as Carolina and Tampa Bay currently sit tied at the top with a 4-2 record. The Saints were winless before last week's victory at Seattle and figure to bring some momentum home with them.
Atlanta would like some momentum of its own and couldn't think of a better place with more ties to pick some up. Starters Todd McClure and Warrick Dunn grew up in nearby Baton Rouge, La. and Horn, with his close relationship to the city, makes this game much more meaningful.
But the Pro Bowl wide receiver, who still ranks fifth on the Saints all-time scoring list, isn't letting any football memories cloud his judgment.
This is a special game in more ways than one.
"I have to sweep around my own front door before I try to sweep around theirs," Horn said when asked about the Saints team.
He and others are confident the fans will provide a warm reception.
"I know the cheers I get will be from the heart and for what I did for New Orleans while I was there off the field and on the football field," Horn said. "If they boo, guess what? I still love New Orleans to death..."
"Joe, what can I say?" added New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees Thursday afternoon. "I loved the time I had with Joe and I wish him the best... There won't be a single boo. Everyone will be cheering for Joe because he meant a lot to this organization for a long time. He did a lot for the community as well. A lot of people around here love Joe Horn."
