Brandon Dorlus: A New Dawn in Atlanta<\/p>\n
As the sun rose on the first day of mandatory minicamp, Brandon Dorlus stood out on the practice field at Flowery Branch, Georgia. The second-year defensive tackle, adorned with the Oregon block-O, shared a light-hearted moment with his former college rival, the quarterback from Washington. The laughter and smiles he exuded masked a tumultuous journey over the past five months\u2014one that tested his resolve and commitment to the game he loves.<\/p>\n
A Challenging Rookie Season<\/p>\n
Dorlus\u2019s inaugural NFL season was fraught with challenges. After a year filled with painful lessons and an unsettling number of healthy scratches, he emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. Reflecting on his rookie year, he described it as a \u201cwake-up year,\u201d a time of adjustment to the NFL\u2019s speed and physicality. \u201cI just feel like I\u2019m more of a guy just trying to bring energy off the field, do my job off the field. A year of learning for me, to be honest,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n
This year, Dorlus has transformed his approach to the game. Rising early to arrive at the facility by 6:30 a.m., he embraces a routine that includes treatment sessions, hot and cold tub dips, and additional weightlifting. The shift from merely following the team\u2019s schedule to proactively enhancing his performance reflects his determination to carve out a long career in the league. \u201cIf I want to play 10 years, I got to do that 10-year work,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Learning from the Best<\/p>\n
Drafted by the Falcons in the fourth round as the 109th overall pick in 2024, Dorlus arrived in Atlanta with high expectations. A three-time All-Pac-12 selection at Oregon, he ranked among the top defensive linemen in college football, showcasing his ability to apply pressure on quarterbacks. However, the transition to the NFL proved daunting, as he found himself a healthy scratch for the first ten games of his rookie season. Despite the Falcons\u2019 struggles, finishing second-to-last in the league with just 31 sacks, Dorlus remained focused on making the most of his limited playing time.<\/p>\n
His debut came in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, where he played nine snaps, followed by another active game against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the experience was bittersweet; after playing briefly, he faced inactivity for the final four weeks of the season. \u201cIt was very difficult,\u201d Dorlus admitted. \u201cI missed playing football\u2026 I just used it as a knowledge year. I want to play 10 years in the league, so it\u2019s gonna take a year of learning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout his rookie season, Dorlus absorbed the lessons imparted by seasoned veterans like Grady Jarrett and Eddie Goldman, who exemplified the dedication required to thrive in the NFL. He also found camaraderie with fellow rookies, fostering a support system that helped him navigate the challenges of his first year.<\/p>\n
A New Era in Atlanta<\/p>\n
This offseason brought significant changes for the Falcons, including the release of veteran stalwarts Jarrett and Goldman. With the departure of these key players, the door has swung wide open for Dorlus and his fellow rookie, Orhorhoro, to step into more prominent roles. Dorlus expressed a shared vision with Orhorhoro, emphasizing their collective goal: \u201cWe want to win games, win a Super Bowl. So, what we got to do to win games? Get sacks, stop the run.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and defensive line coach Nate Ollie, Dorlus is poised to thrive in a system that he describes as \u201ccontrolled chaos.\u201d Ollie\u2019s energetic coaching style aligns perfectly with Dorlus\u2019s vibrant personality, creating an environment that fosters growth. The coaching staff recognizes Dorlus\u2019s versatility and potential, envisioning a future where he can impact the game in multiple ways.<\/p>\n
Anticipation for Year Two<\/p>\n
Head coach Raheem Morris believes that players often experience their most significant growth between their first and second years in the league. The transition from college to the NFL is marked by newfound independence and responsibility, compelling players to establish their routines and maintain their physical and mental sharpness. Dorlus has embraced this challenge, focusing on film study, physical conditioning, and maintaining his explosiveness.<\/p>\n
\u201cOff the field is big,\u201d he said, underscoring the importance of a well-rounded approach to his development. \u201cYou got to grind. And it\u2019s not just coming in, just doing a workout. You got to do extra; you got to do more.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the Falcons prepare for training camp, Dorlus\u2019s offseason commitment has not gone unnoticed. Morris and Ollie have both praised his work ethic and dedication, signaling a belief that this could be the year Dorlus truly breaks out. \u201cBrandon is a guy that, he puts in work,\u201d Ollie remarked. \u201cReally seeing him taking that Year 1 to Year 2 is going to be a big step for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The upcoming season presents a fresh opportunity for Dorlus, one that he approaches with enthusiasm and determination. No longer a sleeping giant, he is wide awake and ready to seize the moment. The journey ahead may be challenging, but with his relentless drive and newfound routine, Dorlus is prepared to make his mark in the NFL.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Brandon Dorlus: A New Dawn in Atlanta As the sun rose on the first day of mandatory minicamp,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":171584,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2074],"tags":[223,254,2554,11427,224,7,6],"class_list":{"0":"post-171583","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-atlanta-falcons","8":"tag-atlanta","9":"tag-atlanta-falcons","10":"tag-atlantafalcons","11":"tag-brandon-dorlus","12":"tag-falcons","13":"tag-football","14":"tag-nfl"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/114775025379963164","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=171583"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171583\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/171584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=171583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=171583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=171583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}