Cleveland Browns starting safety Abram Elam signed his restricted free agent tender last Monday and ensured his return to the Browns this fall.

Elam led the Browns with 91 tackles, including 74 solo tackles. He had one sack and 17 assists.

Elam, who was traded to Cleveland in the deal that sent the draft pick used on quarterback Mark Sanchez to the New York Jets, will make $1.759 million on the one-year deal. He had held out of off-season practices hoping to secure a long-term contract.

Elam, an undrafted free agent out of Kent State, played his rookie year with Dallas in 2006, then spent two seasons with the Jets before landing a starting role with the Browns in 2009.

The Third Annual Team Elam Charity Weekend, the No. 1 charity event in South Florida during the NFL off-season, is set for June 17-19 in Palm Beach County. The events are organized and run by Cleveland Browns safety Abe Elam. See www.teamelam.org for more information.

The schedule:

Thursday, June 17: Reception for sponsors at the Capital Grille in Palm Beach Gardens.

Friday, June 18: First Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge, Jupiter Lanes.

Saturday, June 19: Team Elam Fun Day at the Dan Calloway Amphitheater, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

NFL players expected to attend: Brandon Marshall, Anquan Boldin, Brandon Flowers, Atari Bigby, Josh Cribbs, Pierre Garcon and many more.

“We’ve had a bigger turnout every year, and this year we expect more than 3,500 people to enjoy the great things we’ve got going on in my hometown of Riviera Beach,” Elam said. “I look forward to having my NFL friends there to make this an unforgettable weekend for the kids.”

Also see: www.abeelam.com

Safety Abram Elam figured he would be with the Cleveland Browns this season when the team signed him to an offer sheet as a free agent.

When the Jets matched the offer – a one-year deal worth $1.5 million – Elam prepared mentally for at least one more full season in New York City.

But after a little wheeling and dealing on Draft Day, Elam found out that he would, indeed, play for the Browns this season. He was reunited with former Jets coach Eric Mangini in Cleveland when the Browns dealt the 5th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft to the Jets in exchange for Elam, a second-round pick, defensive end Kenyon Coleman and quarterback Brett Ratliff.

Mangini said Elam, as well as Coleman, “have both started in the past and will come in here competing to start again.”

Elam started nine games last season, his second with the Jets. Browns coach Eric Mangini already had signed four of his former Jets players.

“I’m really very excited about the opportunity I have here in Cleveland,” Elam said. “I went to Kent State so this is like my old stomping grounds. I already have a lot of relationships here, with guys like Josh Cribbs who I played with in college. I think it will be a great fit for me.

“It’s also exciting to feel wanted. Coach Mangini and the Browns extended an offer sheet to me before the season and then went out and got me in a trade. I’m thankful for that.”

Elam, 27, made 69 tackles and returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown at Buffalo in Week 9. He also had three forced fumbles, including one that led to Shaun Ellis’ fumble return for the go-ahead score against the Bills in a 31-27 victory in Week 16.

Elam, undrafted out of Kent State and waived by two NFL teams, also had 11 special teams tackles and played in all 16 games while earning kudos for his talent and dedication.

Starting safety Abram Elam will remain with the New York Jets—for at least one more year.

The Jets matched the Cleveland Browns’ offer sheet for Elam, keeping him in New York through the 2009 season.

Elam was an unrestricted free agent who started nine games last season, his second with the Jets. Browns coach Eric Mangini already has signed four of his former Jets players, and Cleveland signed Elam to an offer sheet last week, reportedly for one year and $1.5 million. The Jets matched it on Tuesday.

Elam, 27, made 69 tackles and returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown at Buffalo in Week 9. He also had three forced fumbles, including one that led to Shaun Ellis’ fumble return for the go-ahead score against the Bills in a 31-27 victory in Week 16.

Elam, undrafted out of Kent State and waived by two NFL teams, also had 11 special teams tackles and played in all 16 games while earning kudos for his talent and dedication.