Despite a published report suggesting that Jaguars V.P. of player personnel James “Shack” Harris was essentially demoted as a result of the purge of director of pro personnel Charles Bailey and promotion of new executive director of pro and college personnel Gene Smith, Harris hasn’t experienced a change in title.

As a practical matter, however, Harris now has less influence.  As one media source told us on Sunday, “Shack now appears to be a figurehead because [coach Jack] Del Rio and Gene Smith will likely call the shots now.”

The tipping point in the Del Rio-Harris power struggle was the decision of Del Rio to dump quarterback Byron Leftwich in favor of backup David Garrard.  Said the source, “Harris didn’t want to cut Leftwich and passed up Brady Quinn plus wasted most of his first-round picks.  That gave Del Rio the opening to lobby for Gene Smith to be promoted. . . .  Shack survives but Del Rio and Smith will run the show because they have [owner Wayne] Weaver’s ear.  Even if Shack objects to something, Weaver is likely to back Del Rio and Smith.” 

Another source tells us that Harris has received a contract extension as a result of these maneuverings.