Moulds happy Joe 'Horned' in on phone idea

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Bills receiver Eric Moulds is $30,000 richer because Joe Horn beat him to the punch.

Saying that he first raised the idea of a cell phone-touchdown celebration among his teammates about three weeks ago, Moulds was relieved that he never got a chance to try it. And Moulds was happier still from watching the fallout after Horn, the New Orleans receiver, pulled off the stunt last weekend and was severely punished for it.

"It was my idea first. I mentioned it like three weeks ago," Moulds said. "And when I saw Joe Horn do it, immediately, guys started calling and saying: 'Your idea, somebody stole it."'

No big deal, considering the NFL leveled a $30,000 fine against Horn who, with the help of a teammate, celebrated a touchdown by making a cell phone call from the end zone during the Saints 45-7 win over the New York Giants on Sunday.

"I'm kind of glad he stole it so I can know the severity of what the penalty would be," Moulds said, smiling.

Moulds' story is backed up by quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who was the first to reveal the receiver's idea to reporters.

Bledsoe said that Moulds' brainchild was even better. Moulds, Bledsoe said, imagined using a phone with picture-taking capabilities and having someone snap pictures of him and his teammates in celebration.

"Of course," Bledsoe said, "Eric's smart enough that he's not going to do it. He doesn't want to get fined. But I think it was his idea."

Moulds said he never seriously considered trying it.

"It's something we were toying around with, but nothing I don't think anybody took seriously," he said.

And, Moulds joked, he wouldn't have had a chance to considering he's managed just one touchdown this season, and none in his last 12 games.

Moulds also believed that Horn might have taken things too far.

"I think it's OK if guys dance a little bit and celebrate," he said. "You want to create excitement, but you don't want to go to that extreme, I think."