BEREA — With veteran safety Abram Elam sitting out organ­ized team activities in hopes of getting a long-term contract, rookies T.J. Ward and Larry Asante have received plenty of repetitions with the first and second units. Is it possible both rookies could earn starting spots this season as the last line of defense?

“I’m definitely open to that,” coach Eric Mangini, who pointed out that he started rookies Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson on the offensive line with the New York Jets, said Thursday. “It just depends on where they are and there are a lot of veteran guys that are going to work to not let that happen, and that’s what you’d expect.

“But if they’re the best guys, you may take some lumps early because they are rookies, but typically those guys continue to move up and excel as they play and gain experience.”

Safety was one of the Browns’ biggest needs following last sea­son, so they drafted Ward out of Oregon in the second round and Asante out of Nebraska in the fifth round. The lack of veteran talent is obvious at OTAs, espe­cially with Elam absent and Mike Adams working primarily at cornerback.

Journeyman special teamers Bubba Ventrone and Nick Sorensen have been left to work with the rookies with the first and second teams.

“You want everybody to be here, but it does create some real learning opportunities for the young guys,” Mangini said.

Ward worked with the second team and Asante the starters last week during the session open to the media, but they reversed spots Thursday.

“I got moved down to the twos one week, but I didn’t let it discourage me,” Ward said. “I just came out and played even harder.

“It’s football, it’s a business. If you’re not playing up to par, then you’re going to get moved. You can’t let that get you down, or you’ll play worse.”

Ward said he and Asante have “a competitive friendship” and likes the idea of them starting together.

“If you’re the best player on the field, then you should play,” he said. “Just the fact that me and Larry are rookie safeties, I don’t think it should change what we do on the field.

“If we’re not performing, then we won’t play. But if we are, then we should.”

Warfield retires

NFL Hall of Famer Paul Warfield has retired from the Browns front office after spending six years as senior adviser to the general manager, the team announced in a news release.

Warfield is the second legend to leave the team this offseason. Last week, the team confirmed that Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown no longer holds an official role.

Brown had been listed in the media guide the last few years as an executive adviser, and will still be available in an unofficial capacity.

The Browns also announced that John Spytek, who was hired in January, was promoted to director of college scouting. Pat Roberts was switched from that role to senior national scout.

Johnathon Stigall was hired as an area scout after four years in Philadelphia, where he worked with Browns general manager Tom Heckert. Spytek spent the previous five seasons in the Eagles personnel department.

A vote for replay

The NFL has had replay review for years, and Mangini believes it’s been good for the game. He was asked about replay in the wake of the umpire’s bad call that cost Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game Wednesday night against the Indians.

“Anytime you can get the call right it’s a good thing,” Mangini said.

“Sometimes you benefit from it, sometimes you don’t, but you can live with the fact that it was right.”

Mangini is married to Indians general manager Mark Shapiro’s sister and deferred to him on whether baseball should use replay on more calls.

“Whatever he thinks, I’m with Mark,” Mangini said.

Take a seat

The Browns will allow fans to select their seat for season tickets or partial season tickets June 12 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Admission and parking in the North Port Authority lot are free. Call (440) 824-3434 or visit www.Clevelandbrowns.com for more information.

A good cause

Linebacker Scott Fujita has teamed with America’s WETLAND Foundation to raise awareness and build support for restoring Louisiana’s eroding coastline. AWF is starting a text-messaging drive to support volunteer planting and restoration projects in the marshes after the oil spill in the gulf.

Fujita donated $12,500 to AWF in April and recently taped a public service announcement urging supporters to give by texting “Isupport wetlands” to 20222. A $10 donation will be added to the mobile phone bill. Donations can also be made at www.americaswetland.com.

“These wetlands, already endangered due to coastal erosion, need all of us to pitch in to save this internationally important habitat,” Fujita said in a news release.

“Please join me to save this threatened area.”

Sign here

The Browns extended qualifying offers this week to their five restricted free agents: running back Jerome Harrison, linebackers D’Qwell Jackson and Matt Roth, Elam and fullback Lawrence Vickers. The players have until June 15 to sign the second-round tenders. If they don’t, the team can replace the tender with a 10 percent raise over last year’s base salary.

If the restricted free agents haven’t signed their tenders, they can’t be fined for skipping mandatory minicamp next week.

Extra points

• The Browns signed receiver James Robinson and waived receiver Dion Morton, a rookie free agent. Robinson (6-foot-3, 200) spent time last year on the practice squads of Miami and Washington. He is 27 years old and has played in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League.
• Kicker Phil Dawson, who’s been absent from OTAs, will meet fans and sign autographs today at Cedar Point from noon-1:30 p.m.
• An NFL spokesman said there’s nothing new to report regarding defensive lineman Shaun Rogers and possible disciplinary action from the league following his arrest for having a gun at the airport. The case is still under review.
• The defense batted down or tipped at least six passes at the line during practice.
• Rookie sixth-round receiver Carlton Mitchell dropped two tough passes, but rebounded with a touchdown from Brett Ratliff on a post pattern.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

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