It's not like Thomas Jones just came out of nowhere to help get the Chicago Bears to Super Bowl XLI. It just seems that way for a running back who is the textbook definition of a late bloomer.
Taken with the seventh overall pick of the 2000 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Jones never found his stride in the desert, managing a high of just 511 yards rushing in 2002 before getting dealt to the Buccaneers. He spent only one year in Tampa Bay before he was off again, this time signing as a free agent with Chicago.
Despite the arrival of 2005 first rounder Cedric Benson, Jones finally put it all together as a Bear, ripping off 1335 yards rushing in 2005 and 1210 in 2006. He also stepped up in the 2006 playoffs, scoring a pair of touchdowns against both Seattle and New Orleans.
His success in the Windy City didn't mean the end of his travels. Wary of losing his starting job to Benson, Jones asked for a trade early in the 2007 offseason, and the Bears accommodated his request by dealing him to the New York Jets.
Jones' style - he has above average speed, moves and power, but isn't among the elite in any area - and slow start may not have won over collectors. But continuing his recent performances in the NFL's biggest market could be just the type of thing that makes them sit up and take notice.
Jones has over 60 rookie cards, but almost all of them are affordable and fairly easy to find. His SPx # 155 and Leaf Rookies and Stars # 101 cards are notable because they're his only autographed rookies.
Thomas Jones 2000 Rookie Cards
- Absolute #155 - #'d to 3000
- Aurora # 2
- Black Diamond # 160 - jersey card
- Bowman # 168
- Bowman Chrome # 168 - #'d to 499
- Bowman Reserve # 3 - #'d to 999
- Bowman's Best # 102 - #'d to 1499
- Collector's Edge HG # 103
- Collector's Edge Masters # 201 - #'d to 1000
- Collector's Edge Odyssey # 101 - #'d to 999
- Collector's Edge Supreme # 155 - #'d to 2000
- Collector's Edge T3 # 151 - #'d to 999
- Crown Royale # 126
- Dominion # 198
- Donruss # 172 - #'d to 1325
- Donruss Elite # 131 - #'d to 2000
- E-X # 133 - #'d to 1500
- Finest # 130 - #'d to 2400
- Fleer Focus # 236 - #'d to 2499
- Fleer Gamers # 101
- Fleer Mystique # 120 - #'d to 2000
- Fleer Showcase # 113 - #'d to 1000
- Fleer Tradition # 304
- Greats of the Game # 102 - #'d to 1500
- Impact # 164
- Leaf Certified # 221 - #'d to 1000
- Leaf Limited # 410 - jersey/football swatch card, #'d to 500
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 101 - #'d to 1000, first 200 autographed
- Metal # 276
- Pacific # 423
- Pacific Omega # 151 - #'d to 500
- Pacific Prism Prospects # 102 - #'d to 1000
- Paramount # 2
- Playoff Momentum # 103 - #'d to 750
- Playoff Prestige # 256 - #'d to 2500
- Private Stock # 101 - #'d to 278
- Quantum Leaf # 306
- Revolution # 101 - #'d to 300
- Score # 281
- SkyBox # 203
- SP Authentic # 143 - #'d to 1250
- SPx # 155 - autographed jersey card, #'d to 2000
- Stadium Club # 151
- Topps # 372
- Topps Chrome # 242 - #'d to 1650
- Topps Gallery # 156
- Topps Gold Label Class 1 # 84
- Topps Season Opener # 203
- Topps Stars # 154
- UD Ionix # 87 - #'d to 2000
- Ultimate Victory # 143 - #'d to 2000
- Ultra # 223
- Upper Deck # 243
- Upper Deck Encore # 243
- Upper Deck Gold Reserve # 212 - #'d to 2500
- Upper Deck Legends # 128 - #'d to 2000
- Upper Deck MVP # 203
- Upper Deck Ovation # 71 - #'d to 2500
- Upper Deck Pros and Prospects # 98 - #'d to 1000
- Upper Deck Victory # 323
- Vanguard # 126 - #'d to 762