Are Joe Haden and T.J. Ward the Cleveland Browns' Next Minnifield and Dixon?

Frank Minnifield and Hanford Dixon were two of the best shutdown cornerbacks the league has ever seen.

Their bump and run style of coverage almost seems like a lost art today, and while that may be due to changes on the field (such as penalties designed to help receivers), it's also a testament to just how good they were.

They ended their careers with 46 interceptions between them and helped anchor a defense that led the Browns to back-to-back appearances in the AFC title game in 1986 and then again in 1987.

But more important than anything the pair achieved on the field was the connection they had with the fans in Cleveland. Not only were Dixon and Minnifield fan favorites, but in naming the end zone section of Municipal Stadium "The Dawg Pound," the pair was in a way thanking the fans for their support.

Many years have passed since Dixon and Minnifield retired. While the Browns have had other standouts on the defensive side of the ball (Michael Dean Perry and Kamerion Wimbley are a couple), for this fan, at least, "The Dawg Pound" has had little to bark about in the past 20 years, especially since returning to the league in 1999.

Until now.

With the first two picks of this past April's draft, the Cleveland Browns selected defensive players, cornerback Joe Haden of Florida in the first round (seventh overall) and safety T.J. Ward of Oregon in the second round (38th overall). Both were question marks heading into training camp, as it was rumored that Haden didn't have the speed to play corner in the NFL and Ward was labeled as injury-prone.

Thus far in the season, both players have proved doubters wrong, as Haden leads the team in interceptions (five) and Ward is the team's leading tackler (71). While Ward has started from almost day one, Haden has finally fought his way into the starting lineup, taking over for the injured Eric Wright at corner opposite Sheldon Brown.

The play of these two most certainly has to have them both in the running for AFC Rookie of the Year honors, as well as an outside shot at making the Pro Bowl. The energy they bring to the game has not only ignited the Browns' defense, but it also has Browns fans across the nation excited for the future. Even though both players are not cornerbacks, like Minnifield and Dixon were, one can't but help making the comparison.

Hopefully these two will have long, productive careers in the NFL for the Orange and Brown, just like their predecessors Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield before them. Cleveland Browns nation and "The Dawg Pound" are counting on them.