St. Louis Rams General Manager Candidates Narrowed to George Paton and Les Snead

According to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the St. Louis Rams have narrowed the general manager candidate list to two (George Paton of the Minnesota Vikings and Les Snead of the Atlanta Falcons) after interviewing a total of nine individuals for the vacancy during the past few weeks.  

Both are expected to interview with Rams owner Stan Kroenke this weekend and the Rams will likely make a decision on their next GM by the middle of next week. 

According to the aforementioned report from Thomas, it is Paton's job to lose.  Paton has been the Vikings Director of Player Personnel for the past five years after working in the Miami Dolphins front office from 2001-06.  Prior to his Dolphins stint, Paton worked in the Chicago Bears front office. 

Paton's experience is almost entirely in pro personnel.  He is said to be highly intelligent and possess outstanding interpersonal skills, enabling him to work well with others.  

His background is primarily scouting, something that has been a question mark in recent years especially considering the Rams recent results and questionable moves in the NFL draft and free agency.  

Paton is highly regarded in the Vikings organization and is expected to have an expanded role if he stays in Minnesota, according to this report.  The same report states that Paton played a key role in the 2008 trade of All-Pro Jared Allen. 

The Rams other finalist, Snead, has been with the Falcons for 13 years and spent the past three as Atlanta's Director of Player Personnel.   

Snead was a general manager candidate for the San Francisco 49ers last year.  Before arriving in the ATL, Snead served a three-year stint (1995-97) in the Jacksonville Jaguars scouting department.  

Snead has been crucial in evaluating the Falcons roster and has produced salary value analysis regarding acquired players.  Snead, 37, has also assisted with Atlanta's free agency process.  

One of the two (Paton or Snead) will replace departed former GM Billy Devaney, who served in that role for St. Louis from December 24, 2008 to January 2, 2012.

The new GM is expected to work very closely with St. Louis head coach Jeff Fisher.

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year-round. You are encouraged to check out the rest of his work here and to follow him on Twitter.