49ers’ Stubblefield Wraps Up AP Award

Dana Stubblefield came off his worst season to have his best, earning the Associated Press defensive-player-of-the-year award released Thursday.

After managing only one sack and 39 tackles in 1996, the San Francisco 49er defensive tackle was unstoppable this season. He had 15 sacks--second in the NFL to John Randle of Minnesota--and was a staunch defender against the run.

“I think a lot of it just has to do with my attitude, of me going out there and saying, ‘I don’t care who we play or when we play, I have to be ready,’ ” Stubblefield said. “Whatever the situation, I have to come out and be ready and perform so my teammates can get that feeling of being able to count on me, so they can rely on me coming up and making a big play.”

Stubblefield, who will become a free agent after the season, received 28 of the 48 votes cast by a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters, easily beating last year’s winner, Buffalo end Bruce Smith, who had six.

Linebackers Jessie Armstead of the New York Giants and Levon Kirkland of Pittsburgh each got five votes and Steeler safety-cornerback Carnell Lake received four.