This date in Browns history

This date in Browns history Cleveland drafted Hanford Dixon

Posted By: County Sports Network April 27, 2020

This date in Browns history…

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By STEVE KING

Here’s a story that has nothing to do with this year’s NFL Draft.

A nice, little change-up, huh?

I think so.

Hopefully you will as well.

We can always go back to the draft, and we obviously will, for there is nothing else going on right now. I am virtually certain that even hardcore NFL fans are not salivating to get news about the virtual learning going on for players around the league.

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With that, then, let’s take a look back at what has happened on this date in Browns history, or thereabouts, (spoiler alert: most, but not all of it, including the first item, has to do with the draft):

*April 27, 1979 – Running back Calvin Hill, who had played with the Browns in 1978 before becoming a free agent, said he would re-sign with the team as soon as he can meet with General Manager Peter Hadhazy. Hill, of course, had been a star with Dallas and then played two seasons with the Cowboys’ arch rivals, the Washington Redskins, immediately before coming to Cleveland at the age of 31. He was such an integral part, and unsung hero, with those Kardiac Kids teams for his four-year stay through 1981. Used most effectively as a pass receiver out of the backfield, he caught 107 passes for 1,248 yards (11.7) and 16 touchdowns, including six on just 25 receptions in 1978.

*April 27, 1982 – The Browns picked up two great players in the draft in first-rounder (No. 3 overall) Chip Banks, a USC linebacker, and fifth-rounder (No. 115) Mike Baab, a Texas center. If he had kept his head on straight and remained with Cleveland for an appreciable time, then he would be not just the best linebacker in Browns history, but also a Pro Football Hall of Famer. He was that good. He made the Pro Bowl in four of his five Browns seasons. Baab was the rock in the middle of the offensive line during the Bernie Kosar era.

This date in Browns history Cleveland drafted Chip Banks
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – DECEMBER 22: Linebacker Chip Banks #56 of the Cleveland Browns faces the New York Jets at Giants Stadium on December 22, 1985 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Browns 37-10. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

*April 28, 1981 – Though no one knew it then, the first step was taken on this date in Browns history with the creation of what would be known as the Dawg Pound four years later, when Southern Mississippi cornerback Hanford Dixon was selected in the first round of the draft, at No. 22 overall. He was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL during his nine seasons in Cleveland. Also from the first day of the draft came punter-kicker Steve Cox, a fifth-rounder from Arkansas. In addition to doing a good job as a punter, Cox, who was used exclusively on long field-goal attempts, has the two longest field goals in Browns history at 60 yards (1984 at Cincinnati) and 58 yards (1983 in the thin air at Denver). Ron Simmons, a defensive tackle from Florida State picked in the sixth round, did not make the team but went on to have a fine career as a pro wrestler.

This date in Browns history Cleveland Drafted Dixon
CLEVELAND – 1987: Defensive back Hanford Dixon #29 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the football after intercepting a pass against the Houston Oilers at Municipal Stadium circa 1987 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

*April 28, 1982 – In a sad, horrible day, the Browns, as part of a youth movement, sent two of their highest-profile players, defensive end Lyle Alzado and running back-returner Greg Pruitt, to the Los Angeles Raiders for draft choices. Both players were contributors on the 1983  Raiders club that won the Super Bowl. Bad, bad move – public relations-wise and otherwise — by the Browns.

Also on this date in Browns history, on the second and final day of the 1982 draft, the Browns, with their pick in the 12th and final round, took Miami (Fla.) linebacker Scott Nicolas. He played five years for the Browns and, to a lot of people, including me, he is considered the best long snapper in team history, better than even Ryan Pontbriand, who played in the expansion era.

In another related note about the trade of Pruitt, he called Browns head coach Sam Rutigliano after his first day of practice with the Raiders with an unbelievable – and painful — story. “Sam, you’re not going to believe this,” Pruitt said. “Mike Davis dropped all kinds of passes out there today. He couldn’t catch anything, even the ones right in his hands. Man!” Rutigliano just chuckled.

Davis, of course, is the nickel defensive back who, on the famous Red Right 88 play in the final minute of the AFC divisional playoff game following the 1980 season, made a diving interception of a Brian Sipe pass in the end zone intended for tight end Ozzie Newsome, to clinch the Raiders’ 14-12 victory.

So, let me understand this. Davis couldn’t catch anything at all on a nice, warm Southern California day with no pressure at all on him, yet, on that icy-cold day in Cleveland, he was able, in a tight playoff game, to make the play of the day by securely grabbing a rock-hard ball as if his hands were the Jaws of Life? Really?! Yikes!

Ugh.

Go figure

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2 Comments on "This date in Browns history"

  1. Thomas | May 2, 2020 at 7:34 pm |

    Corners Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnefield would bark after shutting down the quarterback’s pass attempt, resulting in an incompletion or worse. Hence: The Dawgs of Defense. They nudged LA corners Hayes and Haines out of the spotlight.

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