JAMES L. HARRIS
Vice President, Player Personnel
Jacksonville Jaguars

James Harris was named vice president of player personnel for the Jaguars on January 23, 2003. Harris came to Jacksonville from the Baltimore Ravens, where he played an important role in all aspects of the team's personnel decisions and acquisitions.

With the Jaguars, Harris -- known as "Shack" to just about everyone who knows him -- is responsible for all player acquisition, including the annual college draft, unrestricted free agents, veteran free agents, trades and undrafted rookies.

In his short time with the team, Harris (along with the player personnel staff) has made

significant contributions through the acquisition of 1st round draft pick QB Byron Leftwich and several key veteran free agents; including All-Pro DE Hugh Douglas.. In May 2003, Sports Illustrated named him the 36th most influential minority person in sports, writing that his background as one of the first black quarterbacks in the NFL, as well as being the first to start a playoff game "groomed Harris as a leader. It further described him as a terrific talent evaluator."

Harris was the director of pro personnel for the Ravens from 1997 until joining the Jaguars, working closely with Baltimore's executive vice president/general manager Ozzie Newsome. Harris was a key component in the Ravens' success in acquiring key free agents, including Pro Bowlers such as QB Jeff Blake (1995 Pro Bowl) and TE Shannon Sharpe (eight Pro Bowls). During his first two seasons with Baltimore, Harris recommended DE Michael McCrary (1998-99 Pro Bowls), DT Tony Siragusa and DF Rod Woodson (1999-01 Pro Bowls). The Ravens also signed key free agents DT Sam Adams from Seattle (2000-01 Pro Bowls) and QB Trent Dilfer from Tampa Bay prior to the team's Super Bowl run in 2000.

Newsome said "I am happy he gets this opportunity that he so much deserves. For us, James was our veteran presence in the personnel department... much like Rod Woodson and Shannon Sharpe were to our Super Bowl team. He was a voice of reason in all of our personnel decisions for the last six years."

Harris was the New York Jets' assistant general manager for four years (1993-96) after scouting for six seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987-92). A former quarterback, he played for three teams: Buffalo Bills (1969-71), L.A. Rams (1972-76) and San Diego Chargers (1977-81). He was drafted in the eighth round by the Buffalo Bills (1969) out of Grambling. During his 12-year career in the NFL as a quarterback, Harris led the NFL with an 89.8 passer rating in 1976 and was named MVP of the 1975 Pro Bowl when he rallied the NFC to a 14-13 victory with two touchdown passes. His best day came against Miami in 1976 with 17 completions in 29 attempts for 436 yards and two touchdowns.

Harris was coached by college football's winningest coach, Grambling's Eddie Robinson. The Tigers won or shared the SWAC title in each of his four seasons with the team (1965-68). He was named MVP of the 1967 Orange Blossom Classic and was named Pittsburgh Courier Player of the Year in 1968. Harris earned a bachelor's degree in education and was subsequently nominated as a distinguished alumnus for his contributions to American society during his NFL career. Harris was a legendary athlete at Carroll High School in his hometown of Monroe, La., which won 39 consecutive games. He has been inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame, the Grambling Athletic Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

He and his wife, Vicki, now reside in Jacksonville.