Making the Case for “Dirty Dan”

Making the Case for “Dirty Dan” – There are certain players that I just have an affinity for. Some deserving. Guys like Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, Tyrann Mathieu, and Tyreek Hill. I sleep well at night knowing that they are Kansas City Chiefs. Some other Chiefs players I like just as much, but are not so deserving of my admiration. I’m talking about players such as Darwin Thompson, Demarcus Robinson, and Charvarius Ward. When they’re good, they’re great. When they’re not, well they just flat out suck. Chiefs safety Dan Sorensen, somehow, fits neither of these categories, but I like him, and want him to be a Chief when the 2021 NFL season starts.

With his four years, $16 million dollar contract signed in 2017, Sorensen is now a NFL Free Agent and must be a particularly tasty prospect for teams eager to solidify their defense with a proven veteran leader. As far as veteran safeties go, I can think of few more solid than “Dirty Dan” Sorensen.

The Brigham Young University alumni, in seven seasons donning the red and gold, has racked up 344 tackles and ten interceptions. Sorensen played, arguably, the best of his career this past season and was present for 82% of defensive plays during the season. The no-nonsense defensive back had a career high three interceptions – one for a touchdown – as well as a career high number of combined tackles, 91 (68 solo, 23 combined). His four quarterback hits and two forced fumbles are not too shabby, either.

Also worthy of consideration is Sorensen’s penchant for making big plays during pivotal moments in games. His clutch stop on a fake punt against the Houston Texans in last years 2019 divisional playoff game was the spark the team needed to start their spectacular comeback, down 24-7 at the time.

This year in the playoffs, against the upstart Cleveland Browns, Sorensen’s goal line forced fumble was crucial. “Dirty Dan’s” hit resulted in a touchback and put the Chiefs ahead by 16 points, 19-3, at halftime.

However, Sorensen, has his downfalls, too. He all too often struggles with coverage, and when he gets burned, boy, does he get burned bad. As a Chiefs fan, it’s beyond infuriating to see.

Pro Football Focus ranks Sorensen as the 86th best safety (out of 94) in the league, and his 76.7% completion percentage and 100.7 passer rating against are troublesome and no doubt, a cause for concern with the Chiefs coaching staff. His play in the Chiefs lopsided 31-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was disappointing, to say the least. In that miserable drubbing of a football game, Soerensen had just six tackles, three of them solo.

True to his down-to-earth philosophy, the erstwhile Chiefs safety made no excuses.

“Obviously not satisfied. We had every expectation of coming here to win, so definitely disappointed with the way we were able to perform. Like I said earlier, we’ll go back, look at it, learn from it, and the only thing you can do is use it to help you grow and to get better.” said Sorensen, “That’s really all that’s left and so we’ll do that. Everybody will hopefully take the opportunity to look at their individual play and to see how we can improve and hopefully find ourselves back here next year.”

While Sorensen’s inconsistent play last season is troublesome, I’m confident he’ll rectify it come next season. Moreover, I think he’ll do so in red and gold.

Although, I think Sorensen will generate some interest from other teams, my gut tells me he enjoys being a Chief, relishes playing for fellow BYU alumni Coach Reid, and has bought into defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme. His, no-nonsense, smash-mouth, take no prisoners, style of play is perfect for the Chiefs defense and balances out the secondary, along with fellow safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill. His stability and veteran leadership is also a plus for the Chiefs and sorely needed.

I’d wager the Chiefs will re-sign Sorensen for a salary comparable to the $4 million per year he’s made for the past four seasons. At least, that’s my hope. Both the Chiefs and Sorensen will be better for it.

Michael Travis Rose — ArrowheadOne

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