Rams on cusp of hiring GM

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams, who were expected to name a general manager by the end of the weekend, have reportedly entered into contract talks with Les Snead.

Following a search that included interviews of at least nine potential candidates, club owner Stan Kroenke was expected to meet this weekend with two finalists: Minnesota Vikings director of player personnel George Paton and Snead, the Atlanta Falcons director of player personnel.

But Paton, who was believed to be the favorite, was retained by the Vikings, who made him the team's assistant general manager.

According to a tweet from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jim Thomas on Saturday afternoon, the Rams began the contract talks with Snead.

Snead would replace Billy Devaney, who was fired along with head coach Steve Spagnuolo on Jan. 2.

Both Paton and Snead had interviewed twice; Snead's first was before Jeff Fisher was hired as head coach on Jan. 13. Paton's first interview wasn't until Jan. 31 and he had a second interview this past Monday.

Paton had been the Vikings' personnel director for the last five years, while Snead has been with the Falcons in the director's chair for three years.

Calling Paton on Saturday "an integral part of our personnel department since he arrived in 2007, Vikings GM Rick Spielman announced the move to make him the assistant GM.

Another Snead with varied scouting experience in the league, including with the Tennessee Titans when new Rams coach Jeff Fisher was the head coach there, has also been hired by the Rams although Rich Snead's actual responsibilities are not yet known.

A reported interview Thursday with Steelers director of business and administration Omar Khan did not occur, according to sources.

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