ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons have reached an agreement with veteran free agent receiver Joe Horn, who is expected to play a lead role in new coach Bobby Petrino's efforts to balance the offense.

Alex Brandon / Associated Press

Horn, 35, was set to earn $5.55 million this year with the Saints.

Team spokesman Reggie Roberts said a 6 p.m. news conference has been scheduled to introduce Horn, the former four-time Pro Bowl player with New Orleans.

Horn, 35, has missed nine games the last two seasons with groin and hamstring injuries, including six games last season. Negotiations with the Falcons gained momentum after Horn passed a physical exam administered by the team.

Horn told the New Orleans Times-Picayune the Falcons are offering him $19 million over four years, including a guaranteed $7.5 million in the first two years.

"The coaching staff wanted me to come here, needed me here," Horn told the newspaper Wednesday night. "I felt loved. I felt wanted from the front office to the janitors. I knew I would be treated with dignity and respect."

The Falcons led the NFL in rushing for the third straight year but finished last with only 148 yards passing per game. Petrino plans to add more three- and four-receiver sets to the Michael Vick-led offense, making receiver one of the offseason areas of emphasis. The Falcons lost free-agent receiver Ashley Lelie to San Francisco.

Horn will join the team as a starter but also will be called on to serve as a position leader for Michael Jenkins and Roddy White, first-round picks who have struggled with inconsistency.

Tight end Alge Crumpler led the team with 56 receptions last season. Among receivers, Jenkins was the leader with 39 catches for 436 yards and seven touchdowns.

Despite missing six games, Horn had 37 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns last season.

From 2000-2004, Horn recorded four 1,000-yard seasons with the Saints. He set highs with 94 catches in 2000 and again in 2004.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)