May 23, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams tight end Brody Eldridge (81) catches a ball during an OTA at ContinuityX Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

So much for making a good impression with your new team. Rams tight end Brody Eldridge, who was claimed off waivers a few weeks ago from the Indianapolis Colts, has been suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

There haven’t been many specifics released yet, and it’s unclear at this point whether the Colts knew about the positive test before placing Eldridge on waivers. The good news is that the Rams have plenty of depth at the position, so losing Eldridge for four games certainly won’t be debilitating. On the flip side of that coin, the suspension certainly won’t help Eldridge secure a roster spot and considering that there should be a pretty intense competition at tight end, that could be a problem.

I like Eldridge, and I think he can be a nice fit on this roster. I don’t know if I like him enough to deal with a substance abuse violation, but I’ll be fine with whatever the Rams decide. If they knew about the suspension before claiming him, then it shouldn’t have much of an impact on his roster status. If not, then he might be in trouble.

Dec, 24, 2011; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kellen Winslow (82) with the ball as Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Dan Connor (55) and free safety Sherrod Martin (23) and cornerback Chris Gamble (20) and defensive tackle Andre Neblett (68) defend in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 48-16 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

The St. Louis Rams added to their tight end group last week when they claimed Brody Eldridge off waivers from Indianapolis, so the division-rival Seattle Seahawks decided to make a move of their own. The Seahawks sent a conditional 2013 draft pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for Kellen Winslow. I was obviously joking about the Seahawks making this move to answer the Rams, because picking up Winslow is a far bigger deal than the Rams and Eldridge. Personally, I’m a huge Winslow fan and I think he’s a far better player than he gets credit for. I actually would have been for the Rams pursuing a trade for him if we weren’t already overloaded at the TE position.

Winslow will probably be a starter for the Seahawks, and I would think that he could really help out whoever plays quarterback. He’s a big target who has great hands and is an excellent athlete, so he can be a security blanket for a QB who might not have as much NFL experience. I’m not saying this move completely transforms the Seahawks and their offense or anything, but I do think it was a positive move for them and they are at least a little better today than they were yesterday. Considering the trouble the Rams have had defending talented tight ends over the last few years, let’s hope Jeff Fisher and company are able to keep Winslow under wraps.

October 17, 2010; Landover, MD, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Brody Eldridge (81) catches the ball during warm ups prior to the Colts game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. The Colts won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

The Rams front office certainly isn’t done adding pieces for the upcoming season, and another new face will join the roster this week as the team claimed TE Brody Eldridge off waivers from the Colts. Eldridge is known more for his blocking ability than anything else, and he will join the stable of players the Rams already have at the position.

Eldridge has 14 receptions in 17 career games, so it’s no secret that he is a blocker and not much else. I find it curious that the team would make this move with the number of tight ends we already have on the roster. He’s going to be in a battle for a roster spot, but this probably doesn’t bode well for a number of guys already on the team. He has played other positions like fullback and on the offensive line, so I guess he could be a potential fullback candidate. I’m not sure that the Rams would claim him and try to switch his position, but it’s a possibility.