If you need a refresher on the rules for the series, here is the original thread:
http://www.sportsoutlaw.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5078

Remember, this is based on re-draft leagues.

Today's Match-up:

Hines Ward - WR - Pit *vs* Darrell Jackson - WR - Sea

Last Year's Stats:
Hines Ward - 15 gms - 69 rec - 975 yds - 11 TD's
Darrell Jackson - 6 gms - 38 rec - 482 yds - 3 TD's

This match-up is an interesting battle of WR's that will either be a lower #1 WR or top #2 WR on your fantasy team. Both have some questions marks that fantasy owners will have to decide on going into their drafts. Can Ward repeat the TD's numbers from last year is his receptions and yds stay supressed?? In 04 Ward was a bitter disappointment for most, yet his receptions and yards were both more in 04 then 05, the difference was Ward round the endzone 11 times. You have to wonder which is a more realistic number? the 04' total of 4 or the 11 from last year? With Jackson, and injury crippled what was looking to be a great fantasy season for him. Can he rebound and get back on track to being a top fantasy WR?? Will he ever break double didgets in TD's?? These are just some of the questions you will have to answer in today's "Close Call."

Sorry giys, forgot the poll the first time.

Here is DearbornDolfan's post from the messed up thread.

I went with Djax - I see 1200 yds - 8 Tds

I'm stunned this voting is 3-1 right now in DJax's favor...this one isn't even close in my eyes. Ward is established, doesn't get hurt much, and is the clear #1 receiver on his team. I'd go as far as to say I'd draft Ward 1 or 2 before I even thought of DJax. It's not that I don't like him....I just think you'll be able to get him a little cheaper than Ward.

Ace, they are going very close to each other, so getting one a lot cheaper then the other is not going to happen in most cases it woudl appear.

Ace: He may be Pitt's #1 reciever, but the numbers he puts up aren't #1 receiver material for a team with a real pass offense. Further, since this is a fantasy football poll, he clearly isn't a #1 reciever. DJac was projecting 1200 yards before he got hurt last season, and that's assuming he only played 15 games like Ward. He was also projecting a solid 8 TDs on top of that. So, if I had to choose between the two, I'd go with DJac. But, like I said earlier, I'd rather not choose at all.

I am again split here. Jackson is in a much more pass friendly system, and has more potential to have big games because of it. However, Jackson all has more potential to get hurt...as he has done quite often before, plus coming off the knee injury. I also see teams stomping on the run against Pittsburgh this year...which will force them to pass more. Because of that...I will lean toward Ward.

Miller_time is right in saying they will go close together in a draft. But Ace's other comments along with Phicinfan are right on the mark. I vote H. Ward

Ward is a sentimental pick here. He gives you the same production year after year. He has averaged 80 catches, 1000 yds and 8 TDs per year over his 7 year career. He peaked with 112 catches and 1300 plus yards and 12 TDs in 2002. in '05 he ended a streak of 5 straight years with more than 1000yds receiving. He did have 7 more TDs in '05 than in '04, with 11, 1 off his career high of 12 in '02. He has only missed 1 game in his 7 years in the league, so he is durable. Which is remarkable considering the way he throws his body around. He only caught 10 passes of 20 or more yards but 3 of those went for 40 or more, a career high. With Rothlistwhatever, Ward has averaged 75 catches for just under 1000 yards and 8 TDs. Better than 3/4 of those have gone for first downs, making Ward one of the best possession receivers in the league. Ward is a pro's pro. He isn't the fastest or flashiest. He has great hands and knows the game as well as anyone. If Pittsburgh can stretch the field with Holmes and Mays or Wilson expect Ward to get 80-90 catches and 8-10 TDs this year. If the rushing game, with Parker and Staley, has any success, Ward could approach his 2002 numbers, cementing his place in the Hall of Fame. Don't discount his sense of place in the history of the game to keep him motivated. He ain't pretty but he's my brother.

btw, who is Darrell Jackson?

Very interesting picks here. And lets not forget folks, you cant say these aint close, because these are being taking from an average draft position (ADP), for 2006 drafts. Now, as Miller gets more drafts to add to the mix, some of these may change a little, but as it stands, every matchup you see in this feature match up two guys with almost idental draft value.

Now, onto #4

Hines Ward - You gotta love this guy, but you cant expect his numbers to stay at what they were last year in terms of touchdowns. Truth is, there could be alot of change within these guys numbers this year. Last year, it was Hines Ward leading the way on the team, and 3 other guys, including rookie tight end Heath Miller, averaging 30 receptions a piece and about 450 yards.
Enter 2006 - Heath Miller will be a bigger part of this offense in his 2nd NFL year. Wilson will be more comfortable in the offense in his 2nd year on the team, however he will be fighting for the #2 spot against a big name rookie in Santonio Holmes. Dont worry about the running game changing much, rookie Cedric Humes will do his share in filling in for the retired Bettis.
I think you still see 60-65 catches, 950 yards, but the touchdowns drop to around 7.

Darrell Jackson - Jackson was hurt much of the 2005 season. For the most part, he has been healthy during his career, only missing 3 games prior to this season in 2002.
In 2006, Darrell Jackson will now have to fight for catches against newly aquired Nate Burleson, and 3rd year receiver D.J. Hackett. You cant disregard Hackett in this offense this year. In limited playing time last year, including two starts, he performed well and looks to improve.
I see Darrell Jackson healthy for the 2006 season, and given the receiving talent around him, finishing up with around 70-75 catches, 1100 yards, 7-8 touchdowns.

That makes my pick Darrell Jackson in 2006

In his six year career he has averaged 900 yards and 60 catches and only 5.5 TDs. He has never approached Ward's numbers. Not on a consistent basis. He's coming off a season ending injury which should move him down the draft queue. It won't. Hassleback is his QB. Poeple fall in love with potential and with Madd Matt throwing to him he should be 1200 and 10 but he's not. He's a Florida wide-out. They never seem to live up to their pontential.

OK, here's my take on the two. NFL WR - Hines Ward, and it's not even close. Fantasy WR - Darrell Jackson!! Kid was set to break out in a big way last year and was derailed by injury. The off season surgery should be a concern, but not big enough for me to back away. When in the line-up, he is clearly the #1 receiving option on that team. He is set up for a crear year IMO and should see about 1300 rec yds and 10 TD's. Ward is a good WR, btu he simply is not a realiable top flight WR any longer. He was great when they were chucking the ball all over the place, but they also were not winning that way. Cower went back to smash mouth football, and they won. He won't make that mistake again. Since Ward's crear year in 02, he has declined in reception and yards EVERY year!! That is 3 years of steady decline. Decline like that is not consistent, it is a scary trend for FFers. He also fell off the map in TD production in 04, only to have a great TD year in 05. 11 TD's out of 69 receptions for a possession WR is not likely to happen again. I say it will be closer to his 04 total 04 4 then 11.

Like I started with, in terms of NFL talent and impact, Hines is awesome, he is just not going to ba a fantasy star again. Expect 70 rec, 1000 yds, and 6 TD's. Solid, but not something you will be happy with as your #1 WR.

My pick is with Jackson!

Let me rephrase my first sentence...I know that in my league....Ward will go way before DJ (by "way" I mean at least 1 full round, maybe 2). I'm not doubting their ADP are close....I guess I was just speaking from the knowlege of my league.

So with that said....if their "ADP's" are that close.... then I feel Ward is a steal in relation to this particular draft spot as compared to DJ. With Ward you're basically getting a pretty reliable 1100-1300 yards and anywhere from 9-13 TD's with minimal downside since he's such a large part of Pitt's offense. Does DJ have that ugly "P" word to do the same or maybe more? Sure....but he's got alot more question marks in my mind as well.

Ace, I have to seriously question your comment about "pretty realiable 1100-1300 yds", he hasn't hit that mark in 2 years now. and the 9-13 TD's, he caught 69 passes last year, how many guys who catch 70 balls go for 11 TD's??? That is a number that could easliy be the 4 from the year before.

I don't think Hines is near the safe bet some are making him out to be.