CLEVELAND (AP) - The Cleveland Browns have placed the franchise tag on kicker Phil Dawson, a strong signal the club will attempt to re-sign its career leader in field goals.
Among the NFL’s most consistent kickers, Dawson has been trying to get a new long-term contract from the Browns for several years. He expected to become a free agent during this offseason, sold his home here and moved his family back to his native Texas.
Dawson is the only player left from Cleveland’s 1999 expansion team.
Last season, he made 23 of 28 field goals and all 28 extra points. He also passed Hall of Famer Lou Groza for the most field goals in team history. Dawson has made 252 of 303 career field goals attempts, kicking many of them in the unpredictable weather at Browns Stadium.
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