JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars have hired former NFL quarterback James Harris to be their vice president of player personnel.
Harris, 55, had worked for the Baltimore Ravens director of pro personnel since 1997. He worked with new head coach Jack Del Rio when he was in Baltimore two years ago.
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In a release, the Jaguars credit Harris with acquiring key free agents for the Ravens, including quarterback Jeff Blake and tight end Shannon Sharpe.
The Jaguars tried to hire Phil Savage, Baltimore's director of college scouting, but negotiations fell apart. Sources told Channel 4 that the team's salary offer was substantially lower than Savage expected.
Harris was slated to interview for the general manager position with the Seattle Seahawks before he accepted the position in Jacksonville.
Harris was nicknamed "Shack" during his college career with Grambling, where he set a state collegiate passing record with 4,705 career yards. He played 12 years with the NFL -- mostly with the Rams -- he passed for 8,136 yards and 45 touchdowns.
Harris held the NFC's passing record in 1976, was second in 1974, and was the most valuable player in the 1975 Pro Bowl.
The hiring completes Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver's two-part replacement of former head coach Tom Coughlin.
The Jaguars are making a formal announcement Thursday afternoon, and will formally introduce Harris to the Jacksonville media next Tuesday.