Zygmunt to quit soon, sources say

[RamWraith]

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
12/22/2008


It may not happen today as has been speculated, but an announcement on Jay Zygmunt's resignation is imminent, according to Rams team sources.

Zygmunt is the Rams' president of football operations-general manager and has worked in some capacity with the organization for 27 seasons. Even if it doesn't come today, team sources said it will definitely come at some point this week.

It is expected to be the first of several moves that will result in a major restructuring of the Rams' front office. Billy Devaney, the team's executive vice president of personnel, will receive a new title and broader powers in the organization. And John Shaw, who has been with the club for 29 years, is expected to relinquish his team president title while remaining with the club as a consultant to ownership, particularly owner and chairman Chip Rosenbloom.

Zygmunt joined the Rams as a general counsel in 1982. He was named vice president in 1988, senior vice president in 1991 and executive vice president in 1996. But on Feb. 4, 2000, just days after the team's 23-16 victory over Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV, Zygmunt was elevated to president of football operations. (The general manager title was added several years later.) It was that post-Super Bowl XXXIV promotion that put Zygmunt in charge of the club's day-to-day football operations.

Two years later, following the Rams' Super Bowl runner-up finish in the 2001 season, Zygmunt was runner-up in voting for The Sporting News NFL executive of the year award. But in recent years, he has come under increasing criticism as the losses have mounted on the football field.

Zygmunt has had some health issues the past couple of years. In September of 2007 he was hospitalized briefly after suffering what doctors later called a "mini-stroke." And this past summer, he had three stents inserted into coronary arteries.

[jkramsfan]

listen we all want him to go and if he has health issues well then it is time for him to go and take care of those things,I think he did a horrible job as of late but I do wish him well on the health issues.

[RAMarkable]

And this past summer, he had three stents inserted into coronary arteries.

Well this clears up a question I always had about this guy: I guess he does have a heart.

WHAT SAY YE?