Fred Jackson Buffalo Bills
Fred Jackson Buffalo Bills

The importance of multiple-threat players has never been higher. Players who can amass yards both through the air and on the ground are more important than ever as teams battle for field position and points. The more yards, the better!

The 2009 season was one for the record books as multiple-threat players gained yards at an amazing rate.

Three players amassed more than 2,500 total yards -- FRED JACKSON of Buffalo (2,516), JOSHUA CRIBBS of Cleveland (2,510), and CHRIS JOHNSON of Tennessee (2,509). This marked the first time in NFL history that more than one player gained at least 2,500 total yards in the same season. In fact, the three players who accomplished this feat matched the total number of players who did so in the previous 89 seasons combined.

Buffalo's Jackson led the league in total yards with 2,516 in 2009, which ranked fourth all-time in a single season in NFL history.

An integral part of the Bills' attack, Jackson became the first player in NFL history with 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 kick-return yards in the same season.

"He's a very good player who does a lot of things well," says New England Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK. "He catches the ball well, runs well, and is a hard guy to tackle in the open field. He's a good inside runner, good outside runner -- he is just a real good player."

Right behind Jackson in yards gained was Cleveland's Cribbs, who placed fifth all-time in a single season in NFL history with 2,510 all-purpose yards. In addition, Cribbs became the first player in NFL history to amass five 1,000 kick-return yard seasons to start a career. He was the focal point of the Browns' offense and return game, and excelled even with opposing defenses focused on stopping him.

"If you asked around the league, I'm sure that there would be a lot of people that would love to have a team full of guys like Joshua Cribbs," says Kansas City Chiefs linebacker MIKE VRABEL. "He's a tough player playing receiver, playing running back, playing quarterback and, when I say special teams, I don't just mean returning, but also covering kicks. He does it all."

Finishing just one yard behind Cribbs in 2009 was Tennessee's Johnson. One of the most feared running backs in the league, he became just the sixth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards (2,006). He also broke the scrimmage yards record (2,509), adding 503 receiving yards to his rushing statistics. This broke the record previously held by MARSHALL FAULK, who amassed 2,429 yards from scrimmage in 1999. Johnson has rushed for 100+ yards in 11 consecutive games, which ties MARCUS ALLEN for the second-longest streak in NFL history (BARRY SANDERS, 14 in 1997). With a player as prolific as Johnson in the Titans' backfield, opposing defenses realize containing him is a tough task.

"Stopping Chris Johnson is a tall order to even think about," says Indianapolis Colts head coach JIM CALDWELL. "In great backs, you typically don't stop them. You may hold them down a little bit, but they are going to get their yards."

With these great players hitting their stride in 2009, the sky is the limit for 2010!

NFL 2009 Total Yards Leaders

Player Team Rush Yards Receiving Yards Return Yards Total Yards
Source: NFL
Fred JacksonBuffalo1,0623711,4332,516
Joshua CribbsCleveland3811351,9442,510
Chris JohnsonTennessee2,00650302,509

 

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