Ukiah Daily Journal from Ukiah, California • Page 10

Stubblefield Continued from Page A-9 reopened a crack and I had to go in and bust it down. That's what I did. They gave me a little bit of a chance and I just took advantage of it. After that, they couldn't take me out and I don't think they wanted to." 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 Steelers safety-cornerback Carnell Lake received four.

San Francisco coach Steve Mariucci said the award to Stubblefield was well-deserved. "He put a lot of hard work into his offseason and you know, that's kind of how it goes," Mariucci said. "Those who put in that kind of time and effort have the best chance to perform. He was in such good shape and so determined. He earned that good year." Stubblefield did some of his best work in the middle of the season when his partner at tackle, Young, was injured.

In a Monday night showcase at Philadelphia, he had four sacks and constantly was in the Eagles' backfield disrupting plays. THE DAY IN SPORTS NFL NFL Playoffs Jim Fassel is AP Coach of the Year By TOM CANAVAN AP Sports Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) When Jim Fassel talks about coaching philosophy, he doesn't start discussing offense or defense or how to deal with players. He talks about team. Without that concept, a coach can't do anything.

That's the approach he used in turning the last-place New York Giants into the NFC East champions. And that's the reason the 48-year-old rookie coach was selected NFL Coach of the Year by The Associated Press on Wednesday. In a season in which a half- dozen coaches did masterful jobs, Fassel collected 20 votes from a nationwide panel of 48 sports writers and broadcasters. He doubled the total of runner-up Marty Schotten- heimer of Kansas City. Tampa Bay's Tony Dungy was next with followed by Bill Parcells of the New York Jets, Bill Cowher of Pittsburgh and Steve Mariucci of San Francisco, each with three, and Jimmy Johnson of Miami with one.

Giants offensive tackle Scott Gragg said Fassel has been outstanding in putting players in position to make things happen. He doesn't ask the players to do things they can't or call plays with little chance of success. At A Glance By The Associated prnt Wld Saturday. 27 Minnesota at N.Y. Gianls, 9:30 a.m.

(ABC) Jacksonville at Denver. 1 p.m. (ABC) Sunday, 21 Miami at New England, 9-30 a.m. (NBC) Detroit al Tampa Bay. 1 p.m.

(FOX) Divisional Saturday, Jan. 3 Denver Jacksonville, or New England al Pittsburgh, 9:30 a.m. (NBC) Detroit, Mlnrwsota or Tampa Bay at San Francisco, 1 p.m. (FOX) Sunday, Jan. 4 Detroit.

N.Y. Giants or Tampa Bay at Green Bay. 9:30 a.m. (FOX). Denver Jacksonville, or Miami at Kansas City.

1 m. (NBC) Conference Champlonthlpi Sunday, Jan. 11 Divisional playoff winners. TBA Super Bowl Sunday, Jan. 25 At San Diego AFC champion vs.

NFC champion, 3 p.m. aoer Steve Springer weslem region scouting supervisor and James Keller and David Cassidy area supervisors. Promoted Mack Babltl to special assistant to the general manager. CINCINNATI OF MeMn Nteves to a one-year contract. Named Wilma Mann director of scouting administration and Dr.

Timothy Kremcheck medicaf director. Renewed the contracts of Greg Lynn, trainer, and Mark Mann, assistant trainer. SAN FRANCISCO RHP Stew RM4 to a enc-ytar contract wfiti a option. COLLEGE WEBER Jerry Graybeal foolball coach. Anaheim at St.

Louis. 5:30 p.m. Philadelphia al Calgary. 7:30 p.m. Phoenix at Los Angeles.

7:30 p.m. COLLEGE Bowl Oaima By Tlw All PST Friday, Motor City Bowl I. 5 p.m. (ESPN) NHL Saturday. OK.

27 Bowl National Hockey League Niners Continued from Page A-9 player-friendly, from a willingness to pay top dollar in salaries to pampering players at home and on the road. "We try to take their mind off everything but playing," Clark said. "If there's ticket problems or travel problems or hotel problems, we do everything we can to alleviate them. Even the way we practice is designed to keep contact at a minimum and keep the players fresh. Even our training camp is put together so we don't beat each other to death.

"We just have a reputation for taking care of the players. They know where we're coming from. We're not out to get them or save every dime, which seems to be the case at some other places." But the determination to stay on top also has meant sometimes shoving aside the coaches and players who helped them achieve their unparalleled success. Seifert and Walsh were pushed out, Joe Montana was traded and Roger Craig and Ronnie Lott were let go. "That's just part of the (49ers) process, shedding off old skin for the new skin," said Seifert, who gave way to Mariucci.

"It's like a snake. You get a new skin and keep on going so you can survive and that's what the organization has done." Clark said management's high-pressure, sometimes coldhearted tactics are part of maintaining organizational success. "I'm treated very well here, as are the players and coaches," he said. "It's a great place to work but in return, there is a price to pay and the price is high pressure and high expectations. "I wouldnt want to work at a a place that didn't expect to go all the way every year.

I wouldn't know how to shoot for anything less." In recent years, with the implementation of the salary cap and free agency, the 49ers have had to be more creative because they can no longer rely solely on DeBartolo's deep pockets. "That's been on tough on us," Clark said. "We redo contracts and restructure every year and sometimes we hurt ourselves a little bit for the future, and we'll deal with that when it comes." "Sooner or later, the cap is going to catch up with us. We'll keep dodging and trying to avoid it but I would think at some point it's going to catch up to us." Of course, it has helped immensely that the 49ers also have had some of the game's best players and coaches. Montana, who led the 49ers to their first four Super Bowls, and Steve Young, who guided the 49ers to their most recent championship in 1994, are the two highest- rated passers in NFL history.

Lott, Craig, Jerry Rice, Bryant Young the list of stars past and present goes on and on. But it's not just skill, safety Tim McDonald said. "Everybody has talent in this league so what's going to separate the men from the boys? You have to do it with good coaching, good teamwork and good character players," McDonald said. "And we've got our fair share of them. We've always had and as long as that continues to happen, we'll always be successful." NBA National Basketball Association At A Glance All PST By The Associated Press EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Miami New York Orlando New Jersey Boston Washington Philadelphia Central Division Chicago Cleveland Indiana Charlotte Detroit Milwaukee Toronto Pet 9 11 11 11 12 14 19 GB .654 .593 1 .593 1 .560 2 .520 3 .500 4 .24010 18 17 17 16 13 12 3 WESTERN CONFERENCE Midwest Division Utah 17 San Antonio 16 Houston 14 Minnesota 12 Vancouver 10 Dallas 5 Denver 2 9 9 9 10 15 14 24 .667 1 .654 1 .654 1 .615 2 .464 6 .462 6 .111 16 Al A Glance All PST By Tin Associated Pratt EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Philadelphia New Jersey Washington N.Y.

Islanders N.Y. Rangers Florida Tampa Bay Northeast Division Pittsburgh Montreal Ottawa Boston Carolina Buffalo 21 23 16 15 11 12 7 18 19 17 16 13 12 9 10 13 18 16 20 22 11 15 17 15 19 17 7 2 8 5 12 5 7 8 5 4 6 5 6 PIS 49 48 40 35 34 29 21 Pit 44 43 38 38 31 30 GF 105 107 104 98 100 90 65 GF 100 113 96 93 94 84 GA eo 68 99 96 106 111 111 GA 88 97 90 96 104 96 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division Dallas Detroit St. Louis Phoenix Toronto Chicago Pacific Division Colorado Los Angeles San Anaheim Edmonton Calgary Vancouver 25 22 22 14 13 11 19 15 14 13 11 10 11 9 9 12 16 17 18 8 15 16 18 18 21 21 4 7 5 7 5 7 11 6 4 6 9 8 5 Pit 54 51 49 35 31 29 Pit 49 36 32 32 31 28 27 GF 121 125 114 99 63 77 OF 115 103 91 87 90 96 104 GA 78 94 90 104 97 87 GA 94 102 100 112 111 116 125 Thursday's Games No games scheduled State (9-2) vs. Southern University (10-1). 11:30 a.m.

(ESPN) lntlght.com Bowt N9w Mexico (9-3). 5 p.m. (ESPN) Sundry, 28 Bowl At Snmvaport, La. LSU (8-3) vs. Notre Dame (7-5).

5 p.m. (ESPN) Monday, OK. 29 Humanitari an Bowl Cincinnati (7-4). 12:30 p.m. (ESPN2) Carquest Bowl GaoraSrecri (6-5) vs.

West Virginia (7-4), 4:30 p.m.'-I (TBS! Holiday Bowl Missouri (7-4) vs. Colorado State (10-2), 5 p.m. (ESPN) Pet 10 10 10 14 17 22 23 OB .630 .615 .583 1 .462 4 .370 7 .185 12 .080 14 Pacrflc Division LA Lakers 21 16 15 10 6 5 6 I 10 18 19 23 Sanders Portland Sacramento Golden State LA Clippers Thursday's Garnet Utah 107, Houston 103 Chicago 90, Miami 80 Friday's Games Orlando al Indiana. 4 p.m. Cleveland al Charlotte, 4:30 p.m.

Miami at Detroit, 5 p.m. New Jersey al Minnesota. 5 p.m. Washington at Dallas, 5:30 p.m. Boston al San Antonio, 5:30 p.m.

Atlanta at Milwaukee, 6 p.m. Golden State al Denver, 6 p.m. L.A. Clippers at LA Lakers. 7:30 p.m.

Seattle at Sacramento. 7:30 p.m. Phoenix al Vancouver, 7:30 p.m. Saturday's Games Toronto at Naw York, 10 a.m. Portland al Utah, noon Milwaukee at New Jersey, 4:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Orlando, 4:30 p.m. Atlanta at Chicago, 5:30 p.m. Washington at Houston, 5:30 p.m. Denver at L.A. Clippers, 7:30 p.m.

Philadelphia at Golden State. 7:30 p.m. Sunday's Garnet Minnesota at Detroit, 4 p.m. Indiana at Miami, 4:30 p.m. Seattle al Phoenix, 5 p.m.

Utah at Vancouver, 85:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Sacramento, 6 p.m. Boston at L.A. Lakers, 6:30 p.m. San Antonio al Portland, 7 p.m.

.778 .600 5 Friday's Games Pittsburgh al Washington, 4 p.m. Florida at Carolina, 4:30 p.m. N.Y. at Buffalo, 4:30 p.m. N.Y.

Islanders al New Jersey. 4:30 p.m. Toronto at Detroit, 4:30 p.m. Chicago at SL Louis, 5:30 p.m. Phoenix it San 7:30 p.m.

Saturday's Boston al Tampa Bay, 10:30 a.m. Buffalo at Carolina, 4 p.m. Florida al N.Y. Islanders, 4 p.m. Ottawa al Washington, 4 p.m.

Montreal al Pittsburgh. 4:30 p.m. Detroit at Toronto, 4:30 p.m. Colorado al Edmonton, 5 p.m. Vancouver at Dallas, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 30 Alamo Bowl At San Antonio Oklahoma State (8-3) vs. Purdue (8-3). 5 p.m. (ESPN) Wednesday, Dec.

31 Sun Bowl f' At El Pato, Ttxai Arizona State (8-3) vs. Iowa (7-4), 11 a.m. (CBS) Liberty Bowl At Memphis, Tenn. Pittsburgh (6-5) vs. Southern Mississippi (8-3), 12:30 (ESPN) Fiesta Bowl At Tempt, Ariz.

Kansas State (10-1) vs. Syracuse (9-3), 4 p.m. (CBS). Thursday, Jan. 1 Outback Bowl At Tampa, Fla.

Wisconsin (8-4) vs. Georgia (9-2). 6 a.m. (ESPN) Gator Bowl At Jacktonvlllt, Fla. North Carolina (10-1) vs.

Virginia Tech (7-4), 9:30 a.m. (NBC) Citrus Bowl Penn State (9-2) vs. Florida (9-2), 10 a.m. (ABC) Cotton Bowl At Dallas Texas MM (9-3) vs. UCLA (9-2), 10:30 a.m.

(CBS) I Rote Bowl At Patadtna, Calif. Michigan (11-0) vs. Washington State (10-1). 2 p.m. The Perfect Holiday Package.

Holiday Rent-A-Car Special Continued from Page A-9 yards and three scores as he led the Detroit Lions to an NFC wild-card playoff berth. "I am just really lucky than am the one carrying the ball," said Sanders, who also won the award in 1994, when he ran for 1,883 yards, his previous career high. "I also am so fortunate to stay healthy and do the things that I do. Timing, preparation and talent all has to come together to make this happen. "But this was a team effort.

That is reflected in the statistics. We all pull for each other and that shows every Sunday." Sanders romped in balloting by a nationwide panel of 48 sports writers and broadcasters, getting 37 votes. Terrell Davis of Denver, who led the AFC in rushing with 1,750 yards and scored 15 TDs, was second with 7 and Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre, with three, came in third. Davis was the 1996 winner and Favre won the year before. After getting off to a miserable start, gaining just 53 yards in the first two weeks, Sanders took off.

He gained at least 100 yards in every game after that, an NFL record. In the finale, which Detroit needed to win to make the playoffs, Sanders rushed for 184 yards and the winning touchdown against the Jets. As always, Sanders placed the focus on his teammates. "This offensive line has so much character. They wanted this so bad," he said of joining Dickerson and O.J.

Simpson as runners. "You could see it not only on the field, but also in the prepara- tion every week. We started out a little slow. We stuck with it and stayed after it. "Everyone is so unselfish that they give it up for the team, and that is why I am here.

Everyone had a hand in this." TRANSACTIONS Holiday Sports Transactions By The Associated Press BASEBALL American League OAKLAND to ttrmt with OF Mack on a one-year contract. National League ARIZONA Ralph Nelson director of baseball operations, Ron Hassey and Sandy Johnson special assistants to the general man- A DAY Applies to an economy car rented for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 5 days between and with 100 free miles per day included. Taxes, including vehicle licensing fees of .49 to $1.91 per day, optional damage waiver at $8.99 per day, and excess miles at .20 pet mile are extra. Add $10.00 per day if under age 25. Valid at participating San Area locations.

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