The Cleveland Browns have decided to use the franchise tag on ... the kicker? Via Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer:

Breaking: #browns are franchising phil Dawson NFL source told plain dealer today. $3.8 million

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 2, 2012

Phil Dawson, 37, has spent his entire 13-year career kicking field goals for the Cleveland Browns. Last season, Dawson connected on 24 of his 29 field goal attempts, including a career-high eight field goals from 50-yards or beyond, as well as all 20 of his extra points. Dawson has a career kicking average of 83.1 percent, which is good enough to be the 10th best percentage among active kickers.

The Browns were expected to use the franchise tag on D'Qwell Jackson, but ended up signing him to a five-year deal instead.

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