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Lawyer Milloy did not come here for this. Neither did Joe Horn.

Having established themselves with other teams over a decade in the NFL, Milloy and Horn signed free-agent contracts with the Falcons the past two seasons. They had thoughts of competing for a Super Bowl title.

Instead, the team has lost, gone through unprecedented turmoil and, over the past few months, massive upheaval. So instead of being part of a contending team, Milloy, 34, and Horn, 36, are the "veterans" and "leaders" and "experienced pros" being counted on to groom younger players.

They said they accept the roles and that they are grateful to have jobs with a team they've witnessed implode then be de-constructed. Still, each is torn, knowing that they could be perceived as merely the glue on a team being built for the future, not for them.

"You never know when they're cleaning house how you're being viewed," said Milloy, Atlanta's starting strong safety. "Then you get to a point where, after 13 years, you don't want to rebuild. Do I deserve to sit around and waste another year like last year? I had to get over those thoughts early. I asked why are they keeping me?

"Then I get down here and I realize why. When I got here, spirits pick up. It boils down to this: It's a job in the National Football League and I have to honor that. Even though I came down here for one reason and that hasn't panned out, I've still been loyal and I hope they will be loyal to me."

Milloy would not say whether he was seeking a new contract or more compensation, claiming he has to focus on doing what he can to help the team, not himself.

With the departure of so many veterans on offense, the leadership responsibility seemingly falls to Horn, a 12-year veteran wide receiver who signed with Atlanta last summer and started most of the season, producing marginal results (27 catches, 243 yards, one TD).

Horn's work ethic rubbed off on other wideouts, especially Roddy White, who had a breakout season in 2007 (83 catches, 1,202 yards, six touchdowns).

Horn said he was told by offensive coaches that the starting job "is mine to lose." However, Horn said Tuesday he's been given the indication during minicamp this week that second-year player Laurent Robinson could emerge as the starter alongside White. Horn said he won't stop competing and that he doesn't mind taking a lesser role, but he also wants to be involved as a wide receiver, not a hype man.

"I'm not a hater," Horn said. "If I can still run with the young guys and I can still play, play me. I don't want to be making the money I make [$2.5 million in 2008] sitting on the sideline or backing a guy up. At the same time, I'm 36 years old and I know how it is.

"After 10 years, 12 years in this league, if you don't know your role will diminish to bring younger guys along you're fooling yourself. You play your role and you make the team a better team by setting the example. You show them with your actions. I have to play my role and be there for the guys like I have been since I've been here."

Coach Mike Smith and his staff are monitoring players, seeing who will step forward to assume leadership, who will follow the lead and who is marching to his own agenda. Milloy, Horn and linebacker Keith Brooking have already materialized as players others gravitate toward.

Though Horn and Milloy have experienced a flurry of emotions about possibly finishing their careers on a rebuilding team, both said their respect of the game and their teammates will maintain their professional drive.

"I have a responsibility, a lot of them with this team, things that aren't documented," Milloy said. "That's how I feel about my teammates and this organization, and I'm going to be there for them."

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