Todd Gurley wins AP NFL Rookie of the Year

The Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year Award went to a quarterback in Tampa Bay Buccaneers No. 1 overall Jameis Winston. That was no surprise as be it high school, college or pro, quarterbacks get all the love. Meanwhile, the running back position has sunk to the most devalued, underappreciated position in the sport.

But when you get a special player at the position, one can’t help but give credit where it’s due. So Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award. After a torn ACL at Georgia last year forced Gurley to ease his way the first three weeks, he began his assault on the NFL in Week 4 with 19 carries for 146 yards.

It began a historical rookie stretch in which he had 766 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games. The rookie would end up finishing his rookie season with 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns. That’s the 12-game production that got him the award over Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, the runner-up.

NFL Media’s Maurice Jones-Drew said. “Missing three games and then putting up the performances he did … There are other good players, but Gurley was a dominant player.”

That’s what Gurley was taken No. 10 overall at the undervalued running back position for. With Gurley and the defense the Rams have, all they need is a decent quarterback to go far in the coming years. And with all the high-flying, acrobatic, powerful runs he makes, the city of Los Angeles has a star and a show to go see with Gurley in the building.

L.A. is coming!