By Ron Harris
The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO - Defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield, released by San Francisco last month in a salary cap move, moved across the Bay on Wednesday, signing with the Oakland Raiders.

Stubblefield, a 10-year veteran, had two terms with the 49ers, seven years in total. He spent the other three seasons with Washington.

San Francisco cut the Taylor High product after general manager Terry Donahue said he had gained too much weight and struggling as the season wore on. He would have been due $2.3 million next season with the 49ers.

Terms of his Raiders contract were not disclosed.

"There's a lot of football left in Dana Stubblefield and the Raiders see that and that's why I'm here," Stubblefield said Wednesday.

Raiders coach Bill Callahan said he prized Stubblefield's leadership, something the team already enjoys in Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and other veterans. Rice and running back Charlie Garner are two former 49ers who are now on the Raiders.

"What we get in Dana is a player that gives us instant player leadership," Callahan said.

Stubblefield said he looked forward to lining up alongside Raiders veterans who play with an eagerness the younger 49ers lacked.

"Some of those younger guys, you have to light that fire to get them going in certain games," Stubblefield said.

Stubblefield was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1993 and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1997, the same year he notched his third Pro Bowl berth after recording a career-high 15 sacks for the 49ers.

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