Thomas Jones, an Elite NFL Running Back?

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While many were writing the football obituary of Thomas Jones, the 31-year old UVA product is having a career season and is on pace to top 1,400 yards rushing with a 4.7 yards per carry average, both would be high water marks for the 10-year pro!

With 704 yards on 149 carries and 7 touchdowns, Jones is poised to exceed last year's TD total of 13, his career best.

If Jones stays healthy, he'll surpass the 1,000 yard mark for the fifth time in ten years and the fifth time in a row. His 8,519 career yards leaves him 7th of all active players and 32nd all-time. If all goes well, Thomas Jones will end the season 29th all-time  behind Earl Campbell and will probably reach the 10,000 rushing plateau late in 2010. That would leave him tied with Otis Anderson lifetime and quite possibly serious admission for Canton upon retirement.

Despite playing in a Super Bowl, Thomas Jones has not gotten the kind of accolades of a back of his stature. The Jets were unsure if Jones could carry the load this season and decided to draft Shonn Greene who seems fumble prone and not a great pass receiver. But Jones had back-to-back career games and the Jets have the #1 running game in the NFL thanks to the steady contributions of #20.

Thomas Jones is one of just a handful of veterans that make-up this Jets squad. His production has enabled the Jets not to rely on rookie prospect Mark Sanchez to carry the load offensively and that will enhance his overall development as the team's franchise player.

While the playoffs remain a question mark at the bye week, there are no questions as to Thomas Jones, one of the more underrated running backs in the NFL and these past five seasons.

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