Skins Sign Stubblefield
Dana Stubblefield, arguably the NFL's best defensive tackle, left the San Francisco 49ers today to sign a $36 million, six-year contract with the Washington Redskins.
Stubblefield, who spent his first five seasons with San Francisco, was considered the premier tackle on the free agent market this offseason. He had 15 sacks last season and was voted The Associated Press defensive player of the year.
Stubblefield, who received an $8 million signing bonus, was one of three big-name defensive tackles to visit Redskin Park last week but the others Cincinnati's Dan Wilkinson and Oakland's Chester McGlockton are both franchise players who would have required compensation to their teams.
The Redskins have now spent $19.75 million in signing bonuses to sign Stubblefield and retain four players Ken Harvey, Tre Johnson, Joe Patton and Brian Mitchell from last year. While Stubblefield's contract is massive, it doesn't quite match the $32.5 million, five-year deal including a $10 million bonus signed by John Randle with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Redskins were weak on the defensive line last year when franchise player Sean Gilbert sat out the entire season after rejecting a $4 million-per-year offer. The Redskins have again designated Gilbert as their franchise player for this year, but the players' union has filed a grievance asking Gilbert be declared a free agent.
©1998 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed