BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Doug Flutie makes his pro debut in 12 days and Birmingham Stallions quarterback Cliff Stoudt says it shouldn't take long to see whether the Heisman Trophy winner is too short for pro football.
Birmingham hosts the New Jersey Generals Feb. 24 in the nationally televised USFL game. Flutie, the 5-foot-9 former Boston College star, became the Generals' starting quarterback a week ago when Brian Sipe was traded to Jacksonville.
'I think Flutie will do very well. He's the Heisman Trophy winner and a little guy and everybody likes that,' the 6-foot-4 Stoudt said. 'But I got three passes knocked back in my face by our defense the other day, and I've got a few inches on Flutie.'
Stoudt said he would be looking forward to watching Flutie play when the Stallions don't have the ball, but he thinks New Jersey made a mistake trading Sipe to the Bulls.
'I think for Flutie's sake, a guy like Brian Sipe could really help him along,' Stoudt said.
Stallions Coach Rollie Dotsch said neither Flutie's height nor inexperience have him relishing the thought of facing a quarterback who can run as well as he can throw.
'It would normally be comforting to know you'll be up against a rookie quarterback in the first game of the season,' Dotsch said, 'but when you say Doug Flutie you worry about a guy like that, who is real intelligent and is a scrambler.
'Most coaches worry about scramblers more. He can get inside containment or outside containment and make the big play.'
The Stallions were 15-5 last year in a season that ended with a loss to the Philadelphia Stars in the Eastern Conference championship game. Philadelphia went on to win the USFL championship.
'We're better than we were last year, but I don't know if that means anything,' Dotsch said, commenting on off-season acquisitions and trades. 'Everybody is going to be better.'
Birmingham led the USFL in rushing in 1984 with an average of 184.1 yards a game. Stallions running back Joe Cribbs led the USFL in rushing, 1,467 yards, despite sitting out two games in a contract dispute.
Cribbs will have plenty of help in the backfield, including veterans Earl Gant and Lonnie Johnson and rookie Paul Ott Carruth. Leon Perry, who came to training camp overweight, has been fighting for his fullback's job.
With one wide receiver position nailed down by Jim Smith, who led the USFL with 1,481 yards receiving in 1984, Dotsch said he has been wading through the talent he has at that position, trying to decide who to cut.
'I would say we have some hard decisions to make on the offensive line and wide receiver,' Dotsch said. 'We're deeper in talent, so we have tougher choices to make. We have seven players who are pretty good wide receivers.'
Not included in the seven is Mississippi Valley State speedster Jerry Rice, who the Stallions made the No. 1 college draft choice of the USFL last month. If Rice is ever signed, he will further complicate the wideout situation.
Birmingham has bolstered its secondary with the acquisition of two-time All-USFL strong safety David Dumars, formerly of the Denver Gold. Cornerback Chuck Clanton, who had a stellar rookie year, will also be back.
