Rams shuffle front office, add Softli

~ The former director of college scouting for the Panthers will head player personnel.

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams have restructured their front office, eliminating the general manager position and naming two vice presidents.

The Rams on Tuesday named Tony Softli as vice president for player personnel. Softli, who was formerly director of college scouting for the Carolina Panthers, will lead the player personnel department that will include longtime general manager Charley Armey, whose new title is vice president for pro personnel.

Jay Zygmunt will remain as president of football operations.

"After an extensive search we are excited that Tony has agreed to join the Rams," Zygmunt said in a news release.

The moves come after a tumultuous 2005 season that featured infighting between some in upper management and coach Mike Martz, who missed most of the season with a heart ailment. Martz was fired after the season and replaced by Scott Linehan.

Armey, 67, had considered retiring but agreed to stay on in the new position, the Rams said.

"Charley's 26 seasons of NFL experience as an evaluator in all areas of the game will be invaluable," Zygmunt said.

Softli, 46, began working in scouting when the Panthers entered the league in 1995 and took over as director of college scouting in 2000. He is credited with bringing into the league such standouts as Julius Peppers, Steve Smith and Kris Jenkins.

Lawrence McCutcheon will continue as director of player personnel for college scouting.

The Rams have not had a director of pro personnel since after the 2000 season, when Mike Ackerley left to work for the Tennessee Titans.

Softli has ties to Linehan. The two worked together on the University of Washington coaching staff. Before that, Softli was a linebacker for the Huskies.