Jim Harbaugh wants to keep K Phil Dawson

Dec 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) kicks a field goal as punter Andy Lee (4) holds the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. San Francisco 49ers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Some times kickers are looked at as expendable and easily replaceable parts of the team. After a rough season with kicker David Akers last year, the San Francisco 49ers signed Phil Dawson to a one-year deal.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh is wishing this was a long-term deal and hoping that the kicker returns next season. Harbaugh even publicly pleaded for him to come back.

“Phil, stay beyond this season, please,” Harbaugh said Monday, via Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle. “I’ve been remiss asking him to do that. Let me officially ask him to stay beyond this season.”

Dawsons is 27 of 30 on field goals this season, and a perfect 38 for 38 on extra points.

“Twenty-four straight field goals — he has been a top-notch guy on the team from the day he got here, a real football player in every sense of the word. That doesn’t always get affixed to kickers and punters, but Phil is that kind of teammate. . . . A-plus-plus. Very happy with Phil,” Harbaugh said.

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