Hanford Dixon
Dixon, along with running mate Frank Minnifield, helped create the Dawg Pound during his successful 9-year tenure in the Cleveland secondary. At his peak, the plucky 5-foot-11, 186-pound cornerback was one of the NFL’s top cover men.
He made three Pro Bowls and was twice a first-team All-Pro selection, in 1986 and 1987. Dixon earned a spot on the All-Decade 2nd-team for the 1980s. Like Frank Ryan, his shorter career apogee doesn’t stack up well with the Hall of Famers who did it for a longer period. But at his peak, few have barked louder than Dixon did.