By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Thursday, Jul. 26 2007

As he enters his 26th season with the Rams, Jay Zygmunt has a new title but the
same responsibilities with the club.

Zygmunt was promoted to president of football operations following the Rams'
1999 Super Bowl championship season. He enters this season with an altered job
title: president of football operations-general manager.

"There isn't really any change of duties," said team president John Shaw. "I
think it's clear that Jay has really been running the football side (of the
organization). And I think in kind of a traditional sense, most of the things
he does would fall under the category of general manager."

So "general manager" was added to Zygmunt's job title. Most recently, the Rams'
GM title had been held by the now-retired Charley Armey.

LEONARD SIGNS TODAY

After agreeing to terms Tuesday, second-round draft pick Brian Leonard was
scheduled to sign his contract Wednesday. But he didn't arrive in St. Louis
from New York until Wednesday evening, so he will sign his four-year deal today.

Not missing any time in training camp, "was extremely important to me," Leonard
said. "I didn't want to have a disadvantage coming in late and not being there
with the team and learning the offense. I'm glad I'm going to be in camp on
time, and I'll be competing for a spot."

Obviously, Leonard won't have to worry about making the final roster. Coach
Scott Linehan has a broad role in mind for the running back from Rutgers.

"The way they told me they were going to use me, I like that," Leonard said.
"I'm glad I got drafted by these guys because they are going to throw the ball
to me out of the backfield, and maybe get a couple carries and help Steven
Jackson out. And even lead-block for Steven Jackson a couple times."

Meanwhile, contract negotiations continued Wednesday with first-round draft
pick Adam Carriker.