Rams hire Tony Softli for Front Office

[RamsFan16]

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SOFTLI SLIDING TO RAMS

Two league sources have told us that Panthers director of college scouting Tony Softli has accepted a position in the Rams' front office. Though we haven't yet heard a specific title for Softli's new gig, it most likely does not involve "final say" over personnel, the draft, and/or the coach.

Several weeks ago, the Rams made a run at former Bucs director of player personnel Ruston Webster. Webster turned down the opportunity and instead accepted a position with the Seahawks, and the No. 2 man in the football operation behind team president and former Tampa colleague Tim Ruskell. Thereafter, the Rams have successfully kept their search under wraps, with no word of Softli's candidacy getting out until after he'd been hired.

Softli is a respected personnel man who has been with the Panthers since 1995, the team's first NFL season. He became Carolina's director of college scouting in 2000. During his tenure, the team has drafted players like receiver Steve Smith, defensive end Julius Peppers, and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.

Softli assumed full responsibility for the Panthers' draft in 2003, after veteran personnel guru Jack Bushofsky retired. Softli generally is regarded as having more juice than directors of college scouting in other cities because the G.M. in Carolina, Marty Hurney, is a converted journalist whose expertise lies more in the area of the salary cap and contracts.


Great addition!

[RamWraith]

Panthers scouting executive heading to Rams
CHARLES CHANDLER
Carolina Panthers director of college scouting Tony Softli, who has overseen the team’s last three drafts, is leaving to take an upper management position with the St. Louis Rams, according to league sources.

The Rams are expected to announce Softli’s hiring early next week. A potential restructuring of St. Louis’ front office has been rumored since Scott Linehan was hired as head coach in January to replace Mike Martz.

Softli and Linehan worked together in 1994 on the University of Washington coaching staff.

Softli declined comment when reached Saturday.

He is expected to have general manager-type responsibilities, though current Rams’ GM Charley Armey, 66, is under contract for the remainder of this calendar year.

Softli has been with the Panthers for each of their 11 seasons. He was hired as a regional scout in May 2005 following the team’s first draft, then was promoted to director of college scouting in 2000.

When Jack Bushofsky left as director of player personnel three years ago, Softli was put in charge of the draft

[Varg6]

Sounds like great news! I am really happy with everything that is going on thus far during the offseason, mainly because everything is going to be different. I think it was the right time for the Rams to have a total revamped team. Hopefully it pays off...