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Weidl: Todd Gurley a top candidate for offensive rookie of the year
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/p...op-candidate-for-offensive-rookie-of-the-year
SAN FRANCISCO -- It's never too early to start projecting which players will stand above the rest when the awards season rolls around after the 2015 season ends. OK, maybe it is. But that shouldn't stop us from trying.
On Monday morning, ESPN Insider Kevin Weidl, of Scouts, Inc., revealed his top five candidates to win Insider the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2015. The names are mostly familiar ones, including Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston, San Diego running back Melvin Gordon and, of course, running back Todd Gurley of the St. Louis Rams.
Weidl ranks Gurley fourth on his list, with only Philadelphia receiver Nelson Agholor coming as a surprise in front of him. Weidl ranks Agholor second.
As for Gurley, Weidl makes the salient point that just because Gurley is coming off a torn left anterior cruciate ligament doesn't mean he won't be able to contend for the award. In fact, Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. won the award last season despite missing the first four games of the season with an injury.
Nobody knows just yet how long Gurley will take to get back to full health and when he does, how much longer it will be before he plays. But there's little doubt the Rams view him as the centerpiece of the offense and when the time comes, he won't lack for touches.
Beyond the injury issue, Gurley will also have to adjust to running behind an offensive line filled with question marks. All of which makes his candidacy for the award a difficult -- but not impossible -- proposition.
If nothing else, there's no denying Gurley's raw talent. Based on his ability and his presumptive role in the offense, Gurley would be a slam dunk candidate and likely favorite for the award were it not for the injury. Whether he finds his way into the mix will depend largely on how quickly he returns to full strength.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/p...op-candidate-for-offensive-rookie-of-the-year
SAN FRANCISCO -- It's never too early to start projecting which players will stand above the rest when the awards season rolls around after the 2015 season ends. OK, maybe it is. But that shouldn't stop us from trying.
On Monday morning, ESPN Insider Kevin Weidl, of Scouts, Inc., revealed his top five candidates to win Insider the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2015. The names are mostly familiar ones, including Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston, San Diego running back Melvin Gordon and, of course, running back Todd Gurley of the St. Louis Rams.
Weidl ranks Gurley fourth on his list, with only Philadelphia receiver Nelson Agholor coming as a surprise in front of him. Weidl ranks Agholor second.
As for Gurley, Weidl makes the salient point that just because Gurley is coming off a torn left anterior cruciate ligament doesn't mean he won't be able to contend for the award. In fact, Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. won the award last season despite missing the first four games of the season with an injury.
Nobody knows just yet how long Gurley will take to get back to full health and when he does, how much longer it will be before he plays. But there's little doubt the Rams view him as the centerpiece of the offense and when the time comes, he won't lack for touches.
Beyond the injury issue, Gurley will also have to adjust to running behind an offensive line filled with question marks. All of which makes his candidacy for the award a difficult -- but not impossible -- proposition.
If nothing else, there's no denying Gurley's raw talent. Based on his ability and his presumptive role in the offense, Gurley would be a slam dunk candidate and likely favorite for the award were it not for the injury. Whether he finds his way into the mix will depend largely on how quickly he returns to full strength.
