Jaguars’ Harris steps down

James Harris resigned as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ personnel chief Tuesday, taking the fall for a franchise that flopped this season and avoiding what might have been an embarrassing return to Baltimore this weekend.

“With the way we played last year and then coming back this year and having a below-average season, I didn’t think it was going to go as far as Shack, but it has,” defensive end Paul Spicer said, referring to Harris’ nickname. “It’s affected a lot of guys, a lot of lives, a lot of families. A lot of people’s lives have been changed.”

Coach Jack Del Rio already told strength and conditioning coach Mark Asanovich he would not return for a seventh season, probably the scapegoat for all of Jacksonville’s injury problems in 2008.

Harris, a former Los Angeles Ram who was the first black quarterback in NFL history to start a season opener, might have wanted to avoid the trip to Baltimore. Harris was the Ravens’ pro personnel director for six seasons and helped Baltimore win the 2001 Super Bowl.

Snow throw costly

New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis was fined $10,000 by the NFL for throwing snow at fans after the team’s loss at Seattle on Sunday.

Several fans threw snowballs at New York players and staff as they walked off the field after the Seahawks’ 13-3 win. As he approached the walkway leading to the locker room, Ellis reached into a pile of snow, picked up a large chunk and tossed it into the stands at Qwest Field, appearing to hit at least a few fans. No one was believed to have been injured.

Ellis said Tuesday he wasn’t angry at the time, and he had no malicious intent.

“It was all in fun,” he said.

Browns’ Wright out

Versatile running back Jason Wright was put on injured reserve by the injury-riddled Cleveland Browns.

Wright, who played at Diamond Bar High, hurt his ankle in Sunday’s 14-0 loss to Cincinnati. He played in every game on offense and special teams.