Cleveland Browns: Abram Elam Is Turning Into a Playmaker the Last Few Weeks

The Cleveland Browns drafted a future playmaking safety in T.J. Ward in the 2010 NFL Draft to play along side of second-year starter Abram Elam this season.

With what seems like more fans being non-supporters of Elam and his abilities as the Browns' free safety, it must be noted that Elam has amped up his play since Week 8's bye week.

Ward has been getting all the attention in the defensive secondary for much of the season due to his team-leading tackles stat and big hits, but Elam has quietly turned his season around in the last four games.

A first-time starter in his career in 2009, Elam led the Browns in tackles but many fans saw a player who was not much of an impact and would blow many coverages with receivers and/or tight ends.

As the 2010 season started, more of the same was seen and said by fans, but if you look at Elam's performances since the bye, you might be surprised to see that Elam has been putting up solid numbers and he could be the future at free safety.

Elam is on a one-year deal this season, so he really needs to prove to both the Browns and the rest of the NFL that he is deserving of a new contract and his recent play is starting to show that he could be worth keeping in Cleveland for a few more years beyond 2010.

In the first seven games of this season, Elam had 30 total tackles and four passes defended.

Not the best stats out of an NFL starting safety.

In the last four games since the bye week Elam has 25 total tackles, two sacks, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, one interception and a fumble return for a touchdown.

Now those stats are playmaker numbers.

Elam seems to be in the right place and playing smarter football as of late and the Browns' pass defense has shown that improvement too, having given up over 250 yards of passing only once in the last four games against the New England Patriots in Week 9.

A key ingredient in the 2009 NFL Draft first round trade that sent quarterback Mark Sanchez to the New York Jets, Elam may only be just past halfway through his second season as a starter, but he is finally making strides and looks to be getting better as this season progresses.

Elam's recent resurgence could also be the reason the Browns were able to let rookie safety Larry Asante get signed off their practice squad by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 30, now that the Browns know they can rely on Elam. He might be in their future plans as well.

(Also posted on Dawg Scooper: A Cleveland Browns Source)