Rams Want George Paton For GM Job

by Ryan Van Bibber on Feb 11, 2012 8:34 AM CST in St. Louis Rams GM Search

Hannah Foslien - Getty Images

The St. Louis Rams want to hire George Paton, the man who acquired Jaren Allen, for their GM job.

The St. Louis Rams may be close to finding their general manager. According to reports from the Post-Dispatch, Minnesota Vikings director of player personnel George Paton is leading a two-horse race with Atlanta's Les Snead.

Paton had a second interview with the Rams this last week. He will meet with Rams owner Stan Kroenke in the coming days, if he has not already. Paton has held his current position in the Vikings' front office for five years.

And what has Paton standing above the other candidates? His reputation for working with others has reportedly earned him an endorsement from new head coach and football czar in St. Louis, Jeff Fisher. His work as a personnel man in Minnesota speaks well of his ability too, despite the Vikings' miserable record.

Paton made the move to acquire Jared Allen. He also let the oft-injured, but super talented Sidney Rice walk away in free agency rather than tie up big bucks to keep him. That qualifies as making a tough decision, something he would likely have to do with the Rams as the new staff turns over some big contracts on the roster.

Arizona's Steve Keim had some inside the organization lobbying for him.

The same article also notes that Rich Snead will also join the Rams staff. TST was the first to report last week that Snead was likely to join the Rams as a pro scout.

0 recs | 14 comments

Comments

Ok lets get this done! Combine is next week!

kevio3000 - February 11, 2012 via Android app reply

I'd rather let this fall through

Snead is cool with me, Keim is cool with me. Paton…..not so much

DCRamFan - February 11, 2012 reply

Good we need new scouts for sure

Rammon105 - February 11, 2012 reply

All Snead, all the time...

Besides Allen and the circus year of Favre, I think Atlanta has done a better job on player personnel. Although, that ATL draft jump last year wasn’t too much of a hit. It also definitely wasn’t a miss.

I don’t know if it’s a talent of seeking the proper talent, or just being lucky enough to have a perfect draft order slot.

It’s easy to pretty much pick anyone with the No. 2 slot but, are you able to trade down a still successfully drafter day one starters. All without drafting someone low on your board too high.

Or even pull in the right veterans that can be A) productive B) on board and C) an on field coach. Just like Tony Gonzalez. You can’t say he hasn’t had an effect on Roddy & Julio… even Turner out of the backfield.

I think Atlanta, in the office, has been making all the right moves since the 2008 draft.

Boofer - February 11, 2012 reply

Would rather have Snead....

I don’t know if I’m too excited by Paton. The guy wayyyyyy over reached for Ponder last year

Rcoon1307 - February 11, 2012 via mobile reply

You know he wasn't the GM there.

It was Spielman, Brzezinski and Frazier making the offseason decisions. I wouldn’t give him sole credit for Allen, either. He was involved, but didn’t have final say. His job was similar to Devaney’s in San Diego.

Ram_Country - February 11, 2012 reply