By Eddie Pells
The Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jaguars personnel executive James Harris considers his office the "barbershop" - one of those neighborhood places where anybody can stop in and talk about anything. These days, most of the talk is about quarterback Byron Leftwich.

The possibility that the Jaguars might take Leftwich with the eighth pick Saturday is one of the most intriguing in the draft. It also offers a window into the new decision-making process in Jacksonville - one that went into effect when Tom Coughlin was fired and his one-man-decides-all system was scrapped.

Harris, coach Jack Del Rio and director of college scouting Gene Smith all have a say in every personnel matter. None are giving away much as the draft approaches, other than to say they won't let their needs at receiver and offensive line completely dictate their decision.

"We haven't really changed," Harris said. "We haven't indicated we're going to take a quarterback. We haven't indicated we're going to take an offensive lineman. We haven't said anything other than we're going to take the best player available."

And if the draft goes according to how many experts say it will, Leftwich will be the best player available come No. 8.

There's more at play than just that, though.

The conventional wisdom around Alltel Stadium is that Harris doesn't want to make the same decision the Baltimore Ravens made in 1999 when he was there as director of pro personnel: The Ravens had a chance to take Daunte Culpepper but passed. Although they won a Super Bowl since, to this day, they're still not set at the position.

Many scouts compare Leftwich to Culpepper, although the Minnesota quarterback is more mobile. Players like Culpepper come along infrequently, although Harris insists his past won't be a factor if the Jaguars take Leftwich.

"If we select a quarterback with the first pick, it's because we just think he's too good to pass," he said.

But if they do it, a slew of questions arise.

What about Mark Brunell? Harris and Del Rio insist they want the 11th-year veteran to be the quarterback next season. But with Leftwich on the team, there's no telling if Brunell would want to be in Jacksonville. He has two years left on his contract and still hasn't signed an extension that was supposed to be done this month.

Brunell said he understands the need to develop a quarterback behind him. That's why the Jaguars drafted David Garrard in the fourth round last year.

"My thing is, we've had three losing seasons," Brunell said. "I'd hope you'd pick somebody with the team's best interests in mind to help the Jaguars win in 2003. There's no waiting around."

And what about next season? The Jaguars spent big money signing, among others, Hugh Douglas and Mike Peterson, and re-signing Fred Taylor, in hopes of winning in 2003. By choosing a developmental player over a receiver or offensive lineman, it could send the wrong signal to fans, whom the Jaguars are still trying to lure after three years of declining attendance.

"Those are obviously the types of things we're discussing right now," Del Rio said. "We're going to accumulate the best players we can and put the best product on the field in the fall. What kind of message does that send? We're not in the message business. We're in the player business."

Under the new system - designed by owner Wayne Weaver - Harris, Del Rio and Smith must all agree on a player to draft him. If they don't agree, they go to the next guy on the list, until they find someone everyone can live with.

"We have as many of those discussions ahead of time as possible," Del Rio said. "That's why we spend so many hours locked up in the draft room."

Among the scenarios they've clearly discussed is a trade with Baltimore, Harris' former employer, which picks in the 10th spot and dearly covets a quarterback.

It could take the Leftwich decision off the charts for the Jaguars, and buy them a few more draft picks.

But the more intriguing scenario is that the Jaguars pick at No. 8, with the Marshall quarterback still available.

"I don't think there are any differences on the quality of the player," Smith said. "We all feel he's a good player."

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