If you need a refresher on the rules for the series or a run down of previous match-ups? Here is the rules and history thread:
"Close Calls 2008" - A Sports Outlaw Exclusive
Remember, this is based on re-draft leagues.

Today's Match-up:

T.J Houshmandzadeh, WR, CIN *vs* Chad Johnson, WR, CIN

Last Year's Stats:
T.J Houshmandzadeh - 16 gms - 112 rec - 1,143 yds - 12 TD's
Chad Johnson - 16 gms - 93 rec - 1,440 yds - 8 TD's

Today's match-up is one of team-mates! The Cincinnati duo squares off in what should be a very intriguing debate. Everyone knows all about Chadgate from this off season. However, CJ has now had minor ankle surgery and seems content to be a Cincinnati Bengal this season. Can Chad put his off season antics behind him have another outstanding season? Will the Bengals offense find the consistency that avoided them in 2007? This is a contract year for TJ, can he follow up last year's career season with another amazing year? Will TJ continue to be Carson Palmer favorite redzone target, of will Chad find a way to crap double digit TD's for the first time since 2003? These are some of the questions you will have to answer in today's "Close Call".

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This is really an almost unfair contest. Without Chad Johnson, TJs production drops drastically. Patrick Crayton, Terry Glenn, Darrell Jackson, Isaac Bruce, just a few names (that if healthy of course) could put up nearly the same numbers beside Chad Johnson.

From the fantasy perspective, you cant go wrong with either guy. To me, this is a no contest. Given the fact however this season I dont see 85 giving it his all while still attracting as much attention, I give the nod to TJ

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Shiiiiiit. Housh is as cool as the other side of the pillow. He is a freaking stud. I think he distances himself from Chad even more this year than last. I predict him to win out again in receptions and TDs.
This dude is the anomally WR. While Chad is playing the primadonna Housh is just quietly going about his business. I love this guy. He is one of my favorite players in the NFL. This situation in Cincy got so tense that even Palmer started taking shots at CJ. Meanwhile every interview that Housh was in was totally cool. He never took any shots at CJ.
LOVE this guy.

Chad had an interesting off season to say the least. However, it's over IMO. One thing I never doubt is Chad effort, he's just simply an all out personality. no matter what he does, it's balls out. On the field, in the press, in trying to get traded....in everything, he goes all out. This season on the field will be no different.

The more I've watched this whole thing unfold the more I feel Chad is in for his greatest year ever. I think he's going to explode just to prove to everyone how valuable he truly is. Now Housh is no slouch. He is the perfect possession guy and redzone target. He's also driven in a contract year and is looking to get paid next year! However, 84 is who he is due to 85! Chad makes it all happen due to the attention he receives. Now that is not a bad thing for Housh, but I'm going with the guy who has has at least 87 rec, 1250 yds, and 7 TD's in each of the last 5 years! Those are his lows in each category, not averages, not highs, but LOWS!!

That is consistency that I like, and I also like for him to become a bigger redzone threat this year due to more attention being shined onto Housh in those situations. Coming off his career high in yds, Chad has everything to prove this year and what better way to keep his name in the headlines all year then to have a career year!

Chad all the way here.

Hmmmm Miller. I think you might need to get a little sleep or put the pipe down bud. You really feel that Chad is going to be the man in Cincy? Palmer has to throw the ball to him for him to be the most productive. I just see Housh as his favorite target now.
Lets say right now I told you that you could use your 2nd round pick on either CJ or Housh. Would you honestly tell me that you would take CJ?

Yep, in a heart beat right now. I withheld judgment on Chad till I saw where his head was at. Now I've seen, and it will be business as normal. Last year it took a career year for TJ to outproduce a normal year by CJ, and even that was only by 10 pts. just one of those TD's that went TJ's way goes to Chad instead and he outproduces TJ....it was that close. So I'll gladly spend it on a guy who's done it for 5 years over someone who had a spike in production for a career year. Both will be very good, Chad will be better.

Remember, were not getting fantasy pts for good attitudes or being good guys, we get pts for production, and you can't knock Chad's production, he simply gets it done.

Word. I just think this offense has started to swing. Last year the gap was small, this year it widens.

In something of a paradox TJ is more valuable because of Johnson.
CJ's value as a third round pick is something to consider versus the RB you must give up for TJ.
The ship is sinking in Cincy. The rats have already started to scatter.

Give me Chad Johnson. All the guy does is perform on the field. T.J. is a very nice option as well, but Chad is still the man in Cincy, at least for now.

In non-ppr you have to go Chad, especially if you get bonuses for long scores as some league do. Chad is the big play guy. He will have games that will carry your team, and a few that he will disappear. T.J. is a great #2, and in PPR I would go TJ first...but in basic scoring, I have to go chad.

I have said this before, but if Perry is back then this offense is scarry good again. With a very healthy O-line, and a very solid Run Game that defenses have to respect...Chad and TJ will be wide open alot.

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I've got to cast my vote for Housh. You get all the same production without the baggage.

You don't have to worry about if he'll do something to get suspended, or say something to get benched by the coach. No contract controversy and wondering if his head is in the game or with the team.

This is pretty shocking so far.

After what TJ did for me last year it is hard to vote against him...but Miller swayed me to the Chad side...

CJ is a superstar, Houshmazzilli is his trusty sidekick. Johnson is the pick here.

Well put

Question for the TJ supporters: Do you see TJ increasing last years numbers, if so, in what category? I don't see him going over the 112 receptions, the 12 Tds seem like a number that would be hard to surpass and while his yards are low and it would appear there is room for improvement there, that is his role, the short routes. So it would appear to me like were looking at numbers that would be at best, the same as last season.

Another question: Is your vote for TJ a vote for him, or a vote against CJ, meaning that you don't necessarily see TJ's numbers getting better, but CJ's numbers declining?

I don't think TJ or Palmer feel this way anymore. It's more like Palmer saying to TJ, "I better toss him a bone". I will take TJ if I have to consider between thses two in the draft.

My vote if for the steadiness, and safeness of TJ vs. what could still explode with CJ. I do not see his receptions dipping below 100, or his td's dipping below double digits, and I don't not trust the fruitcake.

I think it goes deeper than that. I think what we are looking at this year, not just in this poll, is as fan wide situation where people are rooting against 85. At this point, he has turned people's stomachs with his off-season antics.

I think the dislike for Chad Johnson is affecting the projections by some, not all though.

I voted for CJ, but count me as a TJ fan. I am convinced that TJ could be a #1, and a successful #1 without Chad on this team. He isn't a highlight reel #1, but he is a dependable guy that can provide steady production regardless who is lining up beside him. And this is what irritates me so much in regards to the Bengals. They have the potential to destroy people with this offense if they could just get a respectable defense, and clean their overall act up.