Brandon Thorn
FRS Sports Network
Colorado Springs, CO, United States
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Past articles by Brandon:
Underrated Tom Johnson And DJ Reader Succeed Different Ways
When studying every defensive tackle in the NFL this season for Bleacher Report’s NFL1000 project, I came across two players with little name recognition, yet notable impacts on their team’s defensive success. The Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings are defense-led teams each ranking inside the top 10 in run defense this season. Minnesota ranks fifth […] → Read More
Film Room | Jadeveon Clowney centerpiece of Texans defense
Jadeveon Clowney was the first pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He began his career with a thud, first with a sports hernia surgery in June of his first NFL season, followed by a torn meniscus in his left knee during his first regular season game, knocking him out until Week 8. Clowney missed Week […] → Read More
Why Joe Thuney NFL’s most underrated offensive lineman
Watching offensive line play on television makes it difficult to gauge performance, specifically from the live sideline angle used by most broadcasts. Spectators are unable to decipher what is happening from the ground up, making the end-zone view critical to evaluating the position. Success for offensive linemen (OL) begins at the ground, with the feet […] → Read More
Film Room | NFL's Next Wave Of Great Pass Rushers
Quarterbacks and pass rushers are inextricably linked in terms of value. The QB position’s value is at an all-time high, with the NFL continuing to become a more wide-open, pass-happy league. Naturally, the players tasked with getting pressure on quarterbacks and limiting their ability to throw the ball unimpeded has risen as well. The 2017 […] → Read More
Revisiting The 2015 NFL Draft Offensive Line Class
The 2015 NFL Draft consisted of 46 drafted offensive linemen, including seven in the first round (5 tackles, 1 guard, 1 center) and six in the second round (four tackles, 1 guard, 1 center). The class has had a maximum of 43 possible regular season games played through the first 12 weeks of the 2017 […] → Read More
Film Room | Examining Steelers dominant DL
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and his front office staff have done an outstanding job of identifying talent on their defensive line, scouting and bringing in players with skill sets that mesh very well with their unique scheme. Not only does the DL have three very good to elite starters, it has excellent depth […] → Read More
Unsung Heroes Of The NFL's Best Rushing Offense
When most of us think of a great running game in the NFL, we tend to give the credit to the running back first and foremost, then the five offensive linemen up front. Rarely do we look at the tight ends, fullbacks, or wide receivers as integral cogs in the machine, but without their effort […] → Read More
Akiem Hicks is game wrecker on interior of Bears DL
Each season an array of interior defensive linemen (IDL) emerge and are overlooked by most mainstream media outlets. Rarely are their abilities — to take on multiple blockers, stack/shed, and impose their will on offensive linemen — recognized on television, so most fans aren’t able to appreciate their impact. I wrote earlier this season on […] → Read More
Film Room | Why Vikings have one of most improved OL units in NFL
Offensive line play has been a topic of much discussion among fellow analysts this season, with much of the focus placed on the gradual diminishing of skill that’s apparent across the NFL. There is less proficiency at the position as a whole, due to a myriad of issues stemming as far back as the high […] → Read More
Jonathan Cooper brings well rounded skill set to Cowboys OL
Jonathan Cooper was signed this past offseason to a one-year, $2 million deal as a potential last opportunity to stabilize an otherwise tumultuous career that has been ravaged by injury. Since being drafted seventh in 2013, Cooper has had a massively disappointing career stemming from a badly broken leg his rookie season, ultimately culminating in […] → Read More
Ronald Leary playing like an All-Pro following position change
The Broncos signed free agent Ronald Leary from the Dallas Cowboys in free agency to a four-year, $36 million dollar deal, making him the sixth highest paid guard in the NFL. The results have been stellar through the midway point of the season, with Leary making a seamless position switch from the left to the […] → Read More
3 Best Run Defending Interior Defensive Line Duos In NFL
Interior defensive line (IDL) play is a lot like offensive line play in terms of being some of the most obscure, underappreciated activity in the NFL. Rarely will top plays get the attention they deserve, but their significance often creates opportunities for others to shine. Holding the point of attack and resetting the line of […] → Read More
Rams improved offense led by O-line
The Los Angeles Rams have not posted a winning record since 2003, suffering through years of mediocrity as head coach Jeff Fisher’s archaic offensive structure hindered the development of their talent. The 2016 Rams had an abysmal offense, leading pundits to make several premature declarations — that 2016 No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff was […] → Read More
Jason Peters continues to defy odds in HOF caliber career
Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jason Peters has been defying the odds his entire pro career. After watching his first six games of 2017, it is clear that he continues to play at an elite level. The 6-4 undrafted free-agent defensive lineman and tight end out of Arkansas originally entered the NFL as a TE, but was […] → Read More
Brandon Scherff Cements Himself Among Elite Interior O-Linemen
Brandon Scherff was taken fifth in the 2015 NFL Draft by former Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan. He was picked before defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who was available and widely considered the best player in the draft. Once it was announced that the team would switch Scherff from left tackle (LT) to right guard […] → Read More
Ali Marpet And JR Sweezy Form Dynamic Duo For Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ offensive line is a much improved unit compared to last year and has given up only seven sacks (tied for fourth-best) and 17 QB hits (second-fewest), ranking third in DVOA run blocking and ninth in DVOA pass blocking through the first five weeks of the season. The O-line was shuffled around this […] → Read More
Trent Brown on way to becoming elite RT for 49ers
San Francisco 49ers right tackle Trent Brown began playing football during his junior season of high school, followed by two years at junior college (Georgia Military College) in an attempt to boost his grades in order to play Division I football. He transferred to the University of Florida in 2013 and appeared in 23 games with […] → Read More
Film Room | Cowboys OL Problems And Reasons For Optimism
The Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line has been the topic of much discussion this season, mainly due to a drop-off after an all-time great unit dominated the competition in 2016. that line led the way for rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott to shine. This past offseason the line lost two of its five starters when right […] → Read More
Broncos Dominate Raiders In tTenches
Through four games, the Denver Broncos defense leads the NFL in total defense (260.8 yards per game) and rushing defense (50.8 YPG), and opponents are only converting third downs 26 percent of the time, which also leads the league. Their rushing defense is giving up 20 yards less per game than the second-place Philadelphia Eagles, and they […] → Read More
Film Room | Jaguars led by running game and OL
The Jacksonville Jaguars are off to a 2-1 start, fresh off of a 44-7 drubbing of the Ravens in London. Jacksonville’s running game and entire offensive identity has gone through a dramatic makeover since Tom Coughlin was named Vice President of Football Operations in January. The Jags’ first two draft picks spent on an explosive, bruising […] → Read More