Redskins Sign Stubblefield

Even though he had just pocketed $8 million on the spot from the Washington Redskins, Dana Stubblefield wasted no time downplaying expectations that he would be the savior of one of the NFL’s worst-run defenses.

“I don’t want these guys coming in thinking I’m going to be the turnaround man,” the former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle said Monday after signing a six-year, $36 million contract. “I don’t score points. I stop the run.

“I have linebackers who will help me out. I have defensive backs who will help me out. Sometimes I’ll come up and make a big play, but I expect everyone to keep playing as hard as they have been.”

Redskins coach Norv Turner can only hope Stubblefield is posturing to motivate his new teammates. After all, the Redskins need an anchor on their line. One of the reasons they just missed the playoffs the last two years is because they were ranked 30th against the run in 1996 and 28th last year.

“Dana is being very modest,” Turner said. “He will be in the center of attention, and he will help the guys around him play better. He will help the rest of the football team play better.”

Stubblefield’s deal covers six years, but a voidable, overloaded last year makes the realistic value of the contract $28.5 million over five years, including the $8 million signing bonus.

Cox on his way out in Chicago

Bryan Cox, the helmet-throwing linebacker known for his temper tantrums, says the Chicago Bears have told him he’ll be released June. 1, a move he says is because of his criticism of team management.

“This decision had nothing to do with football,” Cox told the Chicago Sun-Times after learning the news.

He said he’d been told that management - specifically team president Michael McCaskey - grew weary of his criticism.

“That’s the bottom line,” said Cox. “They didn’t like my criticizing management and … talking about what is really happening.”

He called the McCaskeys “nice people,” but said they “ought to leave the business of football to people who understand the game.”

Ex-Patriots owner dies

Billy Sullivan, who brought the NFL to Boston and then watched the league outgrow him, died in Florida of cancer. He was 82.

“Billy Sullivan was the father of professional football in New England,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said. “Everyone connected with the Patriots, and every football fan in New England, owes him a debt of gratitude for his success.”

Sullivan was the president of a fuel delivery company when he was granted the rights to an original franchise in the AFL.

In the 1980s, he attempted to sell Patriots stock in an effort to raise the cash to keep the team, but the NFL blocked him. He sold the team to shaving magnate Victor Kiam in 1988 for $84 million.

Steelers hire Sherman

Ray Sherman promised adjustments to Kordell Stewart’s passing routes - but no major shakeups - after being hired as the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator.

“We were No. 1 in the rushing attack last year,” Sherman said. “That’s something we want to continue, but we also want to add some flavor in the passing game.”

Sherman, the Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach, replaces Chan Gailey, hired as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys on Feb. 12.

Sanders receives award

Detroit’s Barry Sanders, only the third player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in one season, won Jim Thorpe Trophy on Monday.

Sanders’ career yardage in nine years with the Lions is 13,778, including 2,053 last season.

The trophy has been presented since 1955 to the NFL’s most valuable player.

Around the league

John Elway, one month removed from his first Super Bowl victory, had minor surgery on his right shoulder and should recover within six weeks… . The Dallas Cowboys signed free-agent offensive lineman Everett McIver to a five-year contract worth $9.5 million… . The Miami Dolphins re-signed unrestricted free-agent wide receiver Brett Perriman to a one-year contract. The Dolphins also signed punter Klaus Wilmsmeyer to a one-year contract.

Linebacker Jeff Herrod, who was released by the Indianapolis Colts before last season, re-signed with the team… . The Philadelphia Eagles re-signed running back Charlie Garner to a four-year, $6.4 million contract likely making him the team’s top running back.