Thomas and Julius Jones are sons of Virginia coal miners, emerging from the town of Big Stone Gap to become NFL stars.

Thomas, the older brother by three years, has finally struck gold in his ninth season. He's the AFC's leading rusher in his second season with the Jets, his fourth NFL team, and was selected last week to start in his first Pro Bowl.

As for Julius? He's struggling in Seattle.

Their two careers intersect for the third time today when the Jets try to maintain their share of the AFC East lead in Seattle.

"Every time I get to play against him, it's like a dream come true," said Thomas, who starred in college at Virginia.

The Arizona Cardinals gave up on Thomas three seasons after he was their seventh overall draft choice. He started just three games in his only season with Tampa Bay in 2003. Then, Chicago drafted Cedric Benson and sent the 1,200-yard rusher to the Jets in a trade for a draft choice before last season - despite helping lead the Bears to the Super Bowl.

Now he's among the league's elite as the Jets' featured back.

Across the country, his forgotten younger brother smiled when he was asked about Thomas' resurgence.

"I'm proud of him," said Julius, who played for Notre Dame. "I can't say enough about him. He's been through a lot of (stuff) in his career, teams drafting guys (to replace him). ... He's finally in a position to prove he is the back we all thought he was."

Julius said the entire family will be in Honolulu with Thomas for his big week at the Pro Bowl in February.

"Obviously, it's a big game for us," Thomas said of the Jets' task Sunday. "I love my brother more than I love Football. I want him to be healthy and have a great game, but I want to win."

Julius is healthy. Great games are another matter.

After Dallas dumped him in favor of Marion Barber last spring, Julius was expected to be the more explosive answer to the Seahawks cutting former league MVP Shaun Alexander. Instead, Jones has become expendable. Coach Mike Holmgren has favored Maurice Morris, Alexander's longtime backup. And T.J. Duckett gets short-yardage plays.

In September, Julius had his first back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since 2006, when he had the Cowboys' first 1,000-yard season since Emmitt Smith in 2001.

But he has practically disappeared for Seattle since carrying 10 times for just 21 yards and losing a fumble in the first half on Thanksgiving at Dallas, a game he had targeted for seven months. He didn't play at all the following week in a close loss to New England. He had just four runs for 18 yards last week in a win over St. Louis.

"I think he's had really good, strong moments," Holmgren said. "And then he's had some tough moments. And I think some of that is not his problem. It's how he's been used. I think he's been a little frustrated. I think next season that will kind of sort itself out."

* Panthers: Carolina has placed RG Keydrick Vincent on injured reserve, ending the starter's season because of a groin injury from a week ago.

The Panthers filled the roster spot yesterday by promoting DT Nick Hayden from the practice squad. Hayden will provide insurance because tackle Maake Kemoeatu has a sprained right ankle and is questionable for tonight's game against the Giants.

* Colts: In less than half a minute, the former home of the Indianapolis Colts was reduced to a pile of rubble.

A demolition crew imploded the RCA Dome yesterday, setting off 875 charges that brought down the 24-year-old facility's upper floors in about 25 seconds. The dome's fabric roof was deflated in September.

The stadium was originally named the Hoosier Dome and stood on the city's skyline since the Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984. It had become the NFL's smallest stadium. The Colts moved into the new Lucas Oil Stadium this season.

* Raiders: WR Ashley Lelie will miss the final two games of the season because of a calf injury. The team activated TE Darrell Strong from the practice squad yesterday.

Lelie was signed just before the start of the season after Carter injured a knee in an exhibition game. He had 11 catches for 197 yards and two touchdowns before injuring his calf last week against New England.