Post by prossman on Dec 23, 2008 14:44:00 GMT -7
ESPN.com news services
Updated: December 23, 2008, 12:50 PM ET
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville Jaguars personnel chief James "Shack" Harris resigned Tuesday, taking the fall for a franchise that flopped this season.
Team owner Wayne Weaver promoted Gene Smith to the position. Smith previously served as the team's executive director of college and pro personnel.
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Harris received most of the blame for Jacksonville signing receiver Jerry Porter and cornerback Drayton Florence during the offseason. The Jaguars (5-10) paid a combined $23 million guaranteed to Porter and Florence to step into starting roles.
Porter was slowed all season by a hamstring injury and finished with 11 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown. Florence was relegated to playing mostly in nickel and dime situations.
Known throughout the league as "Shack," the 61-year-old Harris has spent more than three decades in the NFL. He was a quarterback between 1969 and 1981 with the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers before embarking on a scouting career in 1987.
"I want to thank Shack for his contributions and his hard work in helping us rebuild this team," Weaver said in the statement. "When he and [coach] Jack Del Rio joined us six years ago we were coming off three straight losing seasons, and Shack helped build a strong roster that returned us to the playoffs.
"Though this season has not been what we all hoped for, there have been many great moments over the last six years. I want to wish Shack all the best in the coming year and beyond."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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