Murray runs away with NFL Offensive Player of Year award

Tony Romo again handed off to DeMarco Murray, this time dressed in a coat and tie.

Romo didn’t win MVP or Offensive Player of the Year awards announced Saturday night at NFL Honors. Instead, Murray carried home the honor as the league’s top offensive player.

“It’s a privilege,” Murray said. “It’s definitely an honor to receive that award. Obviously I got the award, but a lot of the success and everything has to go to the offensive line and coach [Scott] Linehan and coach [Gary] Brown and the entire team, and the work they put in alongside with me.”

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers won the MVP award, garnering 31 votes. Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt finished second with 13, and Romo and Murray tied for third with two votes each.

Romo did win the “Greatness on the Road” award for his four-touchdown comeback performance in a 31-28 victory over the Giants. But Murray was the team’s big winner of the night.

The Associated Press awarded its 43rd Offensive Player of the Year award, and for the first time it went to a Cowboys player. Murray won the rushing title with 1,845 yards. It broke Emmitt Smith’s team record of 1,773 records, which he had in 1995.

“I thought he had an incredible season,” Romo said. “It’s well deserved. He’s amazing. I thought no one in the NFL deserved it more than him.”

Murray, who becomes a free agent in the off-season, made a joke after thanking owner Jerry Jones for drafting him and giving him a chance. He later said he hopes to continue his career in Dallas.

“You hear all the chatter things going around since the season ended,” Murray said. “I’ve always had confidence in myself. I think I’ve had a good three years. I’ve been here for four years, but I think three out of those four years, I’ve played pretty well. You’ve just got to turn on the tape and check all the analytical stuff.

“I love those guys. I understand the business, and if I’m not here, I get it. No hard feelings. We’ll see how it goes.”

Jason Garrett finished tied for second in Coach of the Year voting to the Cardinals’ Bruce Arians. Arians received 391/2 votes to Garrett’s three.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli was second in Assistant Coach of the Year voting with 12 votes to the Cardinals’ Todd Bowles, who had 22. Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan got three.

Cowboys guard Zack Martin finished second to Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, and linebacker Rolando McClain finished tied for second in Comeback Player of the Year voting to Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.

This story was originally published January 31, 2015 at 10:49 PM with the headline "Murray runs away with NFL Offensive Player of Year award."