Generals Give Job to Flutie; Sipe Is Traded

The New Jersey Generals cleared the way for Doug Flutie Wednesday night by trading veteran quarterback Brian Sipe to the Jacksonville Bulls.

The move came hours after the Heisman Trophy winner from Boston College joined the Generals at Orlando, Fla., for his first workout.

The Bulls announced that in exchange for Sipe, 35, who is entering his 12th year in pro football, the Generals received a high draft pick and other considerations in the deal between the United States Football League clubs.

With Flutie earning more than $1 million a year and Sipe receiving an estimated $700,000, New Jersey Coach Walt Michaels was faced with the prospect of having to bench one of his star quarterbacks.

“There was going to be an awkward situation in New Jersey,” Sipe said at an evening news conference. “This is one solution. I prepared myself all the way up until about three hours ago to be battling Doug Flutie. I would not call this a relief. I would call this a great opportunity.”

Michaels said Flutie will make his pro debut in the Generals’ Feb. 15 exhibition game against the Orlando Renegades.

“The man conducted himself as a quarterback familiar with a passing game,” said Michaels, assessing Flutie’s morning workout. “Of course, we had to kind of hand-feed him, and I’m not going rush him into anything too fast . . . but I plan to use Doug against Orlando.”