Thomas Jones is a running back who has had a strong career in the NFL. After a slow start with the Arizona Cardinals, he made a name for himself as a tough, hard-running player who would take a hit from an opponent in order to earn a couple of extra yards.
Arizona Cardinals
Thomas Jones was drafted out of Virginia by the Arizona Cardinals with the seventh overall pick in the first round in 2000. The Cardinals saw Jones as a game-changing runner who had the speed to break big plays. Jones had a difficult time adjusting from college football to the NFL and ran for just 373 yards while averaging 3.3 yards per carry as a rookie. Things didn't get much better for Jones in his second year when he ran for 380 yards. Instead or running in the explosive manner he had demonstrated at Virginia, Jones appeared hesitant. NFL insiders whispered he was a bust, and when Jones showed just a slight improvement in 2002, Jones and the Cardinals parted ways.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears
Jones was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003. He ran for 627 yards and three touchdowns, but his yards per carry average shot up to 4.6 yards per attempt. Jones was a free agent after the season, and the Chicago Bears signed him to a multiyear contract. Jones became a star running back with the Bears. He ran for 948 yards in 2004, using his speed and strength to become an explosive runner. In 2005, Jones ran for an eye-opening 1,312 yards to become the dominant player in the Bears offense. Nevertheless, the Bears selected running back Cedric Benson in the first round of the 2006 draft. Despite feeling slighted by the move, Jones ran for 1,210 yards with the Bears.
New York Jets
The Bears decided they wanted to turn the running back position over to Benson, so they traded Jones to the Jets for a second-round draft pick. The Jets were hoping Jones could come close to the form he had in Chicago, and he surpassed those totals. He ran for 1,100 yards or more for three straight seasons, hitting his peak with 1,402 yards in 2009. Even though Jones was exceptional for the Jets, they felt they had depth and talent at the position with Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson. They let Jones go after the 2009 season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Jones was quickly picked up by the Chiefs, a sub-.500 team in the AFC West. With Jones running hard for Kansas City, he picked up 896 and six touchdowns and the Chiefs won the division title in 2010. Jones says his early years in the NFL with the Cardinals kept him from becoming a true superstar. "It was very difficult for me in Arizona," Jones said. "I didn't fit their system, and they weren't the right team for me. After leaving Arizona, I learned a lot about how to succeed in the NFL, and I have been productive. Chicago was the big turnaround for me. They showed a lot of belief in me, and it helped my confidence."
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