After leading the AFC in rushing and breaking Curtis Martin's single-season touchdown record with the New York Jets, Thomas Jones made his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
Believing his season gave him leverage over the Jets, Jones' personal milestones were immediately followed by new contract demands.
In his first two seasons, Jones has received $13.1 million in the first two seasons of a four-year, $20 million contract—a structure he requested.
Unfortunately for Jones, his season of rushing dominance coincided with the $65 million the Jets poured into the offensive line.
Alan Faneca and Damien Woody were acquired in free agency with five-year deals worth $40 million and $25 million, respectively.
On the wrong side of 30, it's believed that the slow start to Jones' career makes him younger in NFL years than other running backs his age.
But can he do it again?
Curtis Martin won the NFL rushing title at 31 in 2004. Jones will be 31 to start the season but finds himself in an offense that looks to spread the ball around in 2009.
With Iowa's Shonn Greene added through the draft and Leon Washington expected to receive a more significant role, the burden of driving the offense won't be Jones' to carry alone.
Even if he could do it again, the Jets might not give him an opportunity to prove it.
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