The Browns gave the franchise tag to PK Phil Dawson on Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported via Twitter.
Dawson, 36, has been the Browns' full-time kicker since Cleveland returned to NFL play in 1999. He connected on 23-of-28 field goals (82.1 percent) in 2010 and averaged 60.6 yards on kickoffs. In his career, Dawson has made 252-of-303 field goals (83.2 percent) and has averaged 60.3 yards on 752 kickoffs.
According to Schefter's report, the franchise tender for Dawson is for one year and $3.25 million.
The way we see it
Dawson has been one of the Browns' most consistent performers over the years, hitting at least 82 percent of his field goals in 9-of-12 seasons. Finding a replacement for an accomplished kicker who is accustomed to the sometimes challenging conditions playing outdoors in Cleveland appears to be something the Browns do not want to do just yet.