Cole Pepper

Commentary: Harris Move Had To Happen

@ December 24, 2008 6:05 AM Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

I like Shack Harris. But this had to happen.

He's a tremendously friendly guy. He played an important role in the history of the NFL as one of the first black quarterbacks and I developed a fondness for him during his first two years on the job when I taped a pregame interview with him every week.

Most of the most compelling stuff didn't make air, because it happened off mic, after the recording session. We had some debates about the way things were in the NFL that I really wish listeners could have heard.

But Shack was much more guarded on the air, always aware that somebody from another camp could glean some important information from what he would say.

I write this about Shack for full disclosure purposes. Like I said, I like the guy.

But he had to go.

To be honest with you, I though it might happen last off-season, but Wayne Weaver didn't want to disrupt things after a trip to the playoffs.

Here's why the move had to happen:

First round misses: When you draft in the top 10, you have to find at least a consistent performer, if not a star. And when you have three top 10 picks in your tenure, at least one of them has to be an impact player. The Jaguars top 10 picks under Harris (Byron Leftwich, Reggie Williams, Derrick Harvey) haven't produced anything close to a star. Maybe Harvey will develop, but he was brought in to make an impact this year and he didn't (maybe the holdout was a factor).

The other first round picks, Matt Jones, Marcedes Lewis and Reggie Nelson have not been home runs either. The bottom line is that you have to hit on your first round picks more often than not and under Harris' direction, the Jaguars just didn't do that.

There is also the matter of who he didn't pick. You can play "coulda-shoulda-woulda" all day with respect to the draft, but if the Jaguars had drafted Terrell Suggs in the first round in 2003, they might have taken Ben Roethlisburger in the 2004, then who knows what would have happened since then.

Free agency: Here is a list of the Jaguars big dollar free agent signings since Harris and Del Rio arrived in 2003. Mike Peterson, Tony Pashos, Jerry Porter, Drayton Florence, Brian Williams, Troy Williamson (actually a trade), Cleo Lemon, Dennis Northcutt. Peterson was a home run. Northcutt has been just okay (despite the last two weeks of 100 yard games). Pashos has provided leadership, but he's struggled in pass protection this year. Porter was a $10 million waste, Williams has been a good addition, although not a star. Lemon hasn't been on the field (and that's a good thing), but they paid him a big chunk of money. Florence has been collecting a big check for just a few plays a game. You get the point. Too many misses in free agency.

Loss of gravity: Because the Jaguars have an unusual leadership setup with the VP of Personnel and the head coach theoretically on the same level, but that theory changed in reality after Del Rio went with David Garrard over Byron Leftwich. Because the move led to a winning season and a playoff appearance (and win), Del Rio's gravity in the room went up. Then Del Rio got the contract extension, making him untouchable for at least a year (maybe more). Del Rio had a hand in many of the decisions, but

That case against the change: While many fans had been calling for the move, you can make a case that it wasn't the right move. Here are the opposing points.

Harris shouldn't get all the blame, Del Rio must share in it. The head coach had a hand in personnel decisions, too.
The team won in the playoffs last year, injuries were the problem this year. Things would have been different if the offensive line were healthier.
Harvey needs to be given more time to develop. The holdout stunted his growth as an NFL player.

What do you think? Comment below.

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What others are saying

Shack
I always felt Del Rio was trying to make the picks in free agenecy and draft fit; There always seemed to be some type of disconect. I qgree others should take some of the blame in the drafts and free agents but I would argue the blame should be for not talking louder against some of them. As Truman coined. "The buck stopped here" and I am sure Shack will go on to do good things in the NFL; just this 3-headed leadership Weaver put in when Coughlin left di not quite work out.
By Richad @ 12/26/08 10:22:37 AMreport abuse
Shack Harris
Let me preface this with I'm not a message board or even a reply type of person. I usually just read and file it away.

I initially thought Shack would have left after last season especially after David got the starting job. I think the biggest problem with the teams drafting philosophy is it was not consistent. It was repeatedly report the team would draft one way in the first round and a different way in the 2nd-7th rounds where team had much more success. I think the later philosophy should have carried it way through out.
The Jaguars previous off season moves have been maginfied due the results of this season and the expectations which came along with it. The trade of Marcus Stroud was huge especially when you look at how he played and part of the Jags problem was not being able to collapse the pocket from the inside (hence the Paul Spicer move to the inside). The Jerry Porter move is coming under tremendous fire but he was still a viable option before the injury, but I think part of the reason he soured on everyone is a result of the injury, the burden placed upon him to come in a perform at such a high level because of the money he was paid, and the unrealistic time table he set for his return which in turn led to people constantly questioning him and the coach on when he would play. I honest believe the we would not be having this conversation if the O-line was healthy of if the Jags played in a weaker conference like the AFC West and could feast on those much like the AFC East team are doing this year.
By Anthony Brown @ 12/25/08 12:48:56 PMreport abuse
Shack Harris
I agree with Cole, Shack had to go. I also liked the man and the NFL history he has lived and been a part of and his football knowledge. I hope people don't forget that he helped build the team into a playoff contender and playoff game winner. Remember that feeling we all had last year about the Jaguars? He had a part in that. As a whole his drafts were not horrible (see the Lions for comparison) but too many first round misses have forced the change. Let's not forget also he was not alone in his draft choices and the others that were in the room on draft day will have to take account for their actions as well.
By Miguel @ 12/24/08 09:34:17 AMreport abuse