Twenty Over Four

TWENTY OVER FOUR
written by
Matt Campbell
mcampbell2190@gmail.com

FADE IN:
INT. PRESS CONFERENCE - NEW YORK JETS - DAY
Photographers. Cameramen. Reporters. Metallic folding chairs.
Silence. An empty stage with a podium and the red, white, and
blue NFL LOGO. There's a lonely microphone on top of the
podium.
Behind the podium, in bright, ROYAL GREEN is the logo for the
NEW YORK JETS.
A wiry reporter, MIKE DELILO turns around in his seat and
looks at a photographer.
MIKE DELILO
Man, they're really milking this
aren't they?
The photographer, CAMERON LITTLE responds:
CAMERON LITTLE
You know how Jacobs is. A flair for
the dramatic and what not.
MIKE DELILO
This isn't the dramatic, this is
the overkill. There's nothing to
even report. I heard a rumor he ate
a taco salad for lunch and the guys
in Bristol want us to cover the
aftermath.
CAMERON LITTLE
You're lucky you're not a
photographer--oh, here we go.
The cameras in the room raise and rack focus as MATT REICHARD
(28) walks onto the stage. He's thin, cheaply dressed, and
has the mustache of a fifteen year old.
He goes up to the microphone and taps it. There's a gnarly
amount of feedback.
MIKE DELILO
Jesus Christ, Reichard! Can you do
anything right?
There's laughter from the press section. Matt leans into the
microphone.
2.
MATT REICHARD
Testing. Testing. Testing one two.
Testing one two.
He looks over the press and gives THUMBS up to someone at the
back of the room. He then walks off the stage and takes a
seat in the front row.
From the side of the stage DICK JACOBS (40), immaculately
dressed, with slicked back hair walks to the center of the
stage. Dick looks into the press.
DICK JACOBS
Is that you out there Delilo? How's
your wife doing?
MIKE DELILO
She's fine, Dick.
DICK JACOBS
Not from where I'm standing.
The room explodes with camera flashes.
INT. SPORTS CENTER BROADCAST
The New York Jets logo is in the upper right hand corner of
the screen. The anchorman, MARK BELLANO stares directly into
the camera.
MARK BELLANO
The 2013 NFL season has been over
for all of three hours and we
already have our first major
shakeup. According to sources in
New York, Nick Vega, the Owner and
President of the New York Jets, has
fired longtime Coach and General
Manager, Dale Rosen.
EXT. COUNTRY CLUB - TALKING HEAD NICK VEGA
NICK VEGA (68), balding and wearing a restrained GOLF GETUP,
has a microphone pointed at his face by an off-screen
reporter. A graphic that says his name and position is at the
bottom of the screen.
NICK VEGA
It's always a huge hit when you
lose someone with as much
experience as Dale, but, well,
changes had to be made.
3.
REPORTER (O.S)
There have been rumors circulating
since preseason that if released,
Mr. Rosen could seek employment
with the New England Patriots.
NICK VEGA
I don't know enough to speak on
that statement. All I know is that
Dale is a fine man and a great
football mind and that he'll be
missed. I'm excited though that
Rick Apicella will take over as the
Head Coach of our football team.
He's been a coordinator here a long
time and I'm excited for him.
REPORTER (O.S)
And what of your vacant General
Manager position? Do you have any
candidates lined up?
NICK VEGA
Currently we're exploring all
possible options. We'd like to hire
from within the organization, but
like I said, all possible options.
INT. FIRST TAKE - BROADCAST
On the Bristol sound stage, FLIP BAYLOR (68), a sport tabloid
shit slinger and JONATHAN B. JOHNSON (50), his street smart
flunky, talk about the General Manager decision.
JONATHAN B. JOHNSON
Flip, New York Jets owner, Nick
Vega said they were, and I quote
looking into all possible options.
What does that mean to you?
FLIP BAYLOR
Jonathan B. to me, when I hear the
term all possible options, all I
hear is I don't know what I'm
doing. I hear desperation. I'd bet
you anything Vega's been calling
every available applicant in the
country and getting laughed right
off the line. They'll probably end
up with some schlub!
4.
INT. PRESS CONFERENCE - NEW YORK JETS
The exact same stage as setup as earlier. Dick Jacobs,
wearing a LIGHT SUIT and JETS HAT is up at the podium. A
graphic that says his name and position is at the bottom of
the screen.
DICK JACOBS
I'm honored to be the new General
Manager for the New York Jets. It's
been a dream of mine since I was
young enough to be bad at football.
The crowd chuckles.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
I'm looking forward to the season
and I wanted to thank to Mr. Vega
and Coach Apicella for having faith
in me.
A hand goes up in the press section.
MIKE DELILO
Mike Delilo, New York Daily News.
Mr. Jacobs, on that subject: Do you
think that management truly
believes in you, or do you believe
that were you the only applicant
that accepted the position?
DICK JACOBS
I think you should probably ask
your wife that question. You'd
probably get a similar response.
MIKE DELILO
What does that mean?
DICK JACOBS
I don't know. Next question.
Another reporter, JOEL SERRATA speaks up.
JOEL SERRATA
Joel Serrata, New York Times. Dick,
I was wondering --
DICK JACOBS
I like that. Dick. From now on
everyone call me Dick. None of this
full name *bleep*.
5.
JOEL SERRATA
--what are your expectations for
the team? After a second straight
three and thirteen season, where
would you like to see the Jets next
year?
INT. FIRST TAKE - BROADCAST
Flip and Johnathan are in the middle of a heated
conversation.
At the bottom of the screen is a graphic that reads: Dick
Jacobs - NYJ - Thirteen and Three or Bust!
FLIP BAYLOR
I tell you Johnathan B., Dick
Jacobs must be on something. Three
and thirteen to thirteen and three?
What an absolute joke of a manager.
JONATHAN B. JOHNSON
Now Flip, I know that they pay me
money to be contrarian, but I have
to agree with you. In all my years
as a sport's personality, I have
never heard a more outlandish
statement.
FLIP BAYLOR
If I were Nick Vega, I would have
fired him on the spot. Run the
front office myself.
JONATHAN B. JOHNSON
If I were Nick Vega I'd be on my
hands and knees begging Dale Rosen
to come back.
INT. PRESS CONFERENCE - NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
A very similar getup to the New York Jets press conferences,
but instead of the green backdrop, there's a blue one. The
PATRIOTS logo is behind DALE ROSEN (61) the new GM and Coach
of the New England Patriots.
A graphic that says his name and position is at the bottom of
the screen.
6.
DALE ROSEN
Dick's a friend. I'm happy for him.
I've worked with him a long time
and he's the right man for the job.
I'm confident that he can do great
things over there in New York.
REPORTER (O.S)
But his comments on the thirteen
and three season? Do you believe
there is any truth to that?
DALE ROSEN
I'd rather not talk about that. But
if they do go thirteen and three, I
definitely believe that at least
one of those losses are coming from
Foxboro.
INT. JET'S WAR ROOM - DAY
CHYRON READS: NFL DRAFT
Dick's holding a bottle of water. He and the SCOUT TEAM sit
in a windowless room going over documents. On the wall
there's a board that reads, DRAFT BOARD, with names scribbled
all over it.
Matt Reichard walks over to Dick.
DICK JACOBS
Who are you?
MATT REICHARD
I'm Matt Reichard. I'm your new
assistant GM. I was the head of
scouting over in San Diego and--
DICK JACOBS
Matty, get me another one of these.
He passes him the bottle and Matt walks off. This is their
relationship in a nutshell.
INT. RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL - DRAFT
ROGER GOODELL, the Commissioner of the NFL walks up to the
podium. He leans into the microphone and reads:
7.
ROGER GOODELL
With the second pick if the 2013
NFL Draft, the New York Jets
select, Matt Brenner, Left Tackle,
UCLA.
INT. JET'S FAN HEADQUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
The members of gang green all boo the pick.
MARK BELLANO (O.S)
I can't believe it. With talent all
over the board the Jets opt for
Offensive Line.
They throw drinks at a giant monitor that has Goodell's face
on it.
INT. RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL - DRAFT
In three-way SPLIT SCREEN, Goodell reads the Jet's next three
picks.
ROGER GOODELL
With the 33rd pick in the 2014
select, Kellen Berg, Right
Tackle, Wisconsin.
ROGER GOODELL
With the 66th pick in the 2014
select, Davon Dehandle, Right
Guard, Ole Miss.
ROGER GOODELL (CONTD)
With the 100th pick in the 2014 NFL
Draft, the New York Jets select,
Borg Upshaw, Left Guard, Nebraska.
INT. JET'S FAN HEADQUARTERS
The mood in the HQ is comparable to a wake. A FAN takes off
his JETS JERSEY and whips it in the garbage.
The coach of the Jets, RICK APICELLA (48), takes questions at
the podium. He's got a thick beard and reading glasses. A
graphic that says his name and position is at the bottom of
the screen.
8.
RICK APICELLA
I know that a lot of people
expected us to take a QB in the
early rounds, but we saw value at
other places. We saw value at
offensive line. This game is won in
the trenches. I stand by our picks.
REPORTER (O.S)
But what about your fan base?
There's talk of boycotting the
team. They're up in arms.
Dick shakes his head and gets up and grabs the microphone.
RICK APICELLA
You know whose not up and arms
about having a new offensive line?
Mo Gadson. How about you ask him
how he feels?
INT. JET'S LOCKER ROOM - MOSES GADSON TALKING HEAD
MOSES GADSON (29), the Jets' handsome, star running back
takes questions by his locker. A graphic that says his name
and position is at the bottom of the screen.
MOSES GADSON
I'm definitely excited for the
year. Training camp has been good,
tough. These new guys all came in
ready to work. Ready to smash
someone in the mouth. I feel like
we're in for a good year.
REPORTER (O.S)
Do you think it's a thirteen and
three type of year?
MOSES GADSON
I think we're in for a good year.
REPORTER (O.S)
Your contract is up at the end of
next year. Are you thinking of
testing Free Agency?
MOSES GADSON
Are you really asking me about a
contract situation that's up in two
years? Let me play these next two
seasons and then ask me.
9.
INT. JETS' FACILITY - DICK'S OFFICE
Dick leans back in his chair with his feet on a mahogany
desk. He watches the PRACTICE FIELD which is visible from his
window
His office is covered in pictures of New York Jets Legends.
There's an empty trophy case behind his desk.
EXT. JETS' FACILITY - PRACTICE FIELD
The Jets hit the sled. They practice tackling. They run
through plays. They do it with intensity and fire.
RICK APICELLA
We've fielded a driven team. A
hungry team. A mean team. I like
that. It's fun being the coach of a
mean bunch of boys.
REPORTER
But Coach Apicella, being mean
doesn't win football games.
Coach Apicella gives the reporter a mocking eyebrow.
RICK APICELLA
Son, pardon my French, but if you
don't think being a bad mother
*beep*er isn't a positive, then
you're covering the wrong *beep*ing
sport. You'll see how far meanness
goes when the preseason starts.
EXT. LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD - NIGHT
CHRYON READS: Preseason Week 4. New York Jets vs.
Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles QB drops back to pass, but no one's open. He
scrambles up the sideline before a Jets LINEBACKER hits him
like a truck. The QB fumbles the ball and the Jets run it in
for a TD. They celebrate in the end zone.
INT. PARDON THE INTERRUPTION - BROADCAST
A graphic reads New York Jets 3-1
10.
JONATHAN B. JOHNSON
And somehow the Jets walk out of
the preseason with a winning
record.
FLIP BAYLOR
Please, Jonathan B. This is the
preseason. It's meaningless. Let's
see what happens when they play New
England next week.
EXT. FOXBORO - PARKINGLOT
CHYRON READS: Week One : Jets at Patriots
The game is over. PATRIOTS FANS celebrate. The few Jets fans
in attendance walk ashamedly back to their cars. A GROUP OF
PATRIOTS FANS CHEER.
PATRIOTS FANS
J-E-T-S! Suck! Suck! Suck!
A very dejected Coach Apicella stands to address the press.
Beneath him, there's a graphic that reads New England 35,
Jets 14.
RICK APICELLA
I think we did a good job out
there. We could have done better to
be sure, but sometimes that's just
how it goes. This is a process. We
got some unlucky bounces.
He looks off to the left of the stage. Dick comes roaring up
to the microphone. He's tired of this wishy-washy
grandstanding.
DICK JACOBS
We are better than this. We are not
who we showed ourselves to be. This
will not happen again. We are a
better team and we'll show it in
Miami.
He drops the microphone and walks off stage. Rick picks it
up.
RICK APICELLA
Next question.
11.
EXT. METLIFE STADIUM - DAY
CHYRON READS: Week Two: Dolphins at Jets
The Jets QB takes the snap and hands the ball off to Mo
Gadson. Mo's offensive linemen have given him a huge hole to
run through and he bulldozes through it. He roars into the
end zone.
The SCOREBOARD reads Jets 42 - Dolphins 14.
The scoreboard changes as the weeks go by. Every week it's a
different score and every time, save for one, another Jets
win.
INT. FIRST TAKE BROADCAST
A headline reads: Jets Clinch the Two Seed in the AFC
FLIP BAYLOR
I told you all along Jonathan B.,
these Jets were going places. No
one else believed in them, but I
knew from the beginning. This team
was for real.
JONATHAN B. JOHNSON
Come on Flip, you and I both know
that's a load of hooey. You were on
their case from day one... I was
the one who was a believer!
INT. JET'S LOCKER ROOM - NIGHT
CHYRON READS: Week 17: Jets at Rams
The team's circled up around Coach Apicella. Many of them are
shirtless and wearing only towels. A lone camera crew has
made its way into the room.
DICK JACOBS
God, I love this game. I love it so
much. I love all of you. I love
being here. If I could, I'd adopt
you all and you'd be my sons and
you'd all have the greatest bar
mitzvah there's ever been.
INT. JETS CLUBHOUSE - NIGHT
CHYRON READS: Round 1 - Patriots at Steelers
12.
The team and front office personnel watch the Wild Card match
up of The Patriots vs. The Steelers on a giant monitor. The
Patriots QB gets sacked by a STEELERS DE and the Jet's
Clubhouse goes ballistic.
INT. JETS' FACILITY - DICK'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Dick has the phone in one hand and a pair of sunglasses on.
He waits for the phone to connect, but gets the voice mail.
Beep.
DICK JACOBS
Dale, it's Dick. Just wanted to
offer you my condolences on the
loss to Pitt. Jesus do those boys
have a front four. Yeah so, just
wanted to give you my condolences
and let you know that we'll be sure
to handle them next week.
He smiles.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
God, there's nothing better than a
Patriots loss. You take care now.
Bye bye.
EXT. METLIFE STADIUM - NIGHT
CHYRON READS: Divisional Round: Steelers at Jets
It's the fourth quarter. There's twenty-six seconds on the
clock. The Jets are down 2 and they're driving. The QB rushes
the Jet's to the line of scrimmage.
QUARTERBACK
Hut! Hike!
The ball is snapped and he lofts a perfect pass to a WIDE
RECEIVER. He takes the ball to the STEELERS 30 YARD LINE
before being tackled. As soon as he goes down the offensive
rushes off the field and the SPECIAL TEAMS UNIT RUSHES IN.
INT. PRESS BOX
Dick and Matt watch the game from a press box at the top of
the stadium. Dick's chewing on his finger nails. Matt can't
look.
13.
EXT. METLIFE STADIUM
The special teams unit gets in position to kick a field goal.
FIELD ANNOUNCER
There's four seconds on the clock.
Will they make it? The ball is
snapped. Two seconds left. The kick
is up. It's good!
INT. PRESS BOX
Dick and Matt go absolutely crazy in their box. From the big
windows you can see the fans celebrate the victory. They hug
each other and high-five.
DICK JACOBS
Let's go to Indianapolis!
INT. LUCAS OIL STADIUM - DAY
CHYRON READS: AFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Jets at Colts
Gadson cuts through their defense like butter. He jukes
defenders and jumps over them. Those that he can't get
around, he goes through. He plows through a SAFETY and scores
a touchdown.
Jets 35 - Colts 10
Coach Apicella gets green Gatorade dumped on him on the
sideline.
FIELD ANNOUNCER
And the Jets are going to the
Superbowl!
EXT. CANDLESTICK PARK - NIGHT
Chyron Reads: Superbowl Sunday - Bears vs. Jets.
Both teams have their hands on their hearts as the STAR
SPANGLED BANNER is sung. Some players have tears in their
eyes. Dick, whose on the sideline, can't keep his leg from
shaking.
CUT TO:
14.
EXT. CANDLESTICK PARK - KICKOFF
The Jets get the ball first. Mo Gadson is in the end zone
awaiting the kick. The kick is up. He catches it.
FIELD ANNOUNCER
And Mo Gadson runs the ball out of
the end zone! He's met by a wall of
defenders. He cuts back. He's
tackled. He fumbles!
A CHICAGO BEAR returns the ball for a touchdown.
Mo Gadson stays on the ground holding his knee.
FIELD ANNOUNCER (CONTD)
This is not looking good for New
York. I hope Coach Apicella and
company are ready to respond.
Mo gets taken to the locker room on a MEDICAL CART.
SEQUENCE OF JET'S BLUNDERS
They can't do anything right. When they drop back to pass,
they're sacked. They can't cover. They can't tackle. Coach
Apicella throws his headset. One player in particular,
OATMEAL DAVIS, torches the Jets' defense.
On one play in particular, a WIDE RECEIVER SCREEN, he beats
the whole team in a foot race to the end zone.
EXT. CANDLESTICK PARK - LATER
The Bears celebrate their Superbowl win. The Jets, the
losers, walk back to their locker room with their heads
pointed at the ground. The CONFETTI falls from the sky.
Dick and Matt haven't left though. They stand at their
sideline. Matt gets ready to walk back, but Dick grabs his
coat.
DICK JACOBS
Remember this Matty. Remember this.
Remember how this confetti feels
right now. Remember how this loss
feels. Because we're never going to
feel that way again.
The confetti rains down from the heavens.
END OF PROLOGUE
15.
ACT I
INT./EXT. MATT'S CAR - MOVING - DAY
CHYRON READS: 6 Days Until Training Camp
Matty chauffeurs Dick in his car. Dick has an unopened bottle
of wine in his lap. He sits and listens to his own press
conference on the radio.
DICK JACOBS (O.S)
I am now opening the floor for
questions.
REPORTER (O.S)
Dick, word from Jets' camp is that
Coach Apicella wants to install a
3-4 defense. Is there any truth in
that?
DICK JACOBS (O.S)
I don't know. Maybe. I leave the
coaching decisions to Rick. He
tells me what players to get, and I
pretend I don't hear and I get the
actual players this team needs.
Whose next?
INT. JETS TRAINING FACILITY - GYM - CONTINUOUS
Mo Gadson does leg strengthening exercises with a PHYSICAL
TRAINER. On the wall above him is a television. It plays the
NY JETS PRESS CONFERENCE.
Mo grunts as he does LEG PRESSES.
REPORTER
How do you plan on handling the Mo
Gadson situation?
DICK JACOBS
Situation? Mo Gadson is not a
situation.
REPORTER
No, but his contract is up at the
end of the year. There are rumors
that his camp wants a new deal now
and that he might hold out if no
decision is met.
16.
DICK JACOBS
Man, guy, you really don't want me
to have a good day. All contract
situations will be handled
internally. And while I may have
splurged a bit on free agents, we
still have money to take care of
New York's favorite son. Now,
someone else please.
INT. JET'S FACILITY - OFFICE LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
The front office's receptionist JANINE BARKLEY (27), watches
a rerun of the conference on the office's television. She's
pretty and wearing a green dress.
REPORTER
While you've spent the off-season
and draft shoring up your defense,
some have said that you've
overpaid.
Inside the office, Dick and Matt walk through the door.
Janine doesn't notice them. She's too busy watching the
television.
DICK JACOBS
Sure, probably. But sometimes you
have to overpay to guarantee
quality. I spent all of last year
playing with Monopoly money. This
year I'm betting it on the house.
She turns away from the TV and is shocked to see the real,
live Dick Jacobs in the office. She jumps.
JANINE BARKLEY
Jesus, Dick. You scared the crap
out of me.
DICK JACOBS
Shh. I'm trying to watch.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
Janine, do you know how difficult
it is being a smart and handsome
man? Everyone in the world wants a
piece of you.
Janine takes the remote back from him and changes the channel
back to the press conference.
17.
JANINE BARKLEY
And judging from the weight you've
put on, I'd say that piece they're
after is only getting bigger.
DICK JACOBS
That is not nice, Janine. That is
not nice. I'm pretty sure that's
just the camera adding fifteen
pounds.
JANINE BARKLEY
I'd agree with you, but it looks
more like it added thirty.
He motions as though he's going to strangle her, then fixes
his hair.
DICK JACOBS
Well you've won this battle. Do I
have any messages?
JANINE BARKLEY
Mo Gadson's agent Priya Shivprisad
called. She wants to set up a
meeting.
DICK JACOBS
Tell her I'm free whenever. Come to
think of it, tell her I'm hungry.
Anything else?
JANINE BARKLEY
Mr. Vega called earlier.
DICK JACOBS
What did he want?
JANINE BARKLEY
To say that he'd be dropping by the
office.
DICK JACOBS
Oh, great. That's really what I
need right now. A visit from the
overseer. What time did he say he'd
be coming?
JANINE BARKLEY
Fifteen minutes ago. He's in your
office right now.
18.
DICK JACOBS
Jesus Christ, Janine. Way to bury
the lead.
He walks past her desk and goes into his OFFICE. Matt stands
awkwardly in the lobby. He smiles politely at Janine and she
averts his gaze and stares at her COMPUTER MONITOR.
INT. DICK'S OFFICE
Nick Vega is sitting on Dick's couch. He wears a $5000 suit
and plays TETRIS on an IPAD. When Dick comes in he looks up
from the screen.
DICK JACOBS
Mr. Vega, I wasn't expecting you.
NICK VEGA
Hold on. Hold on. Damnit, Dick! I
just lost the game. You couldn't
have maybe knocked first?
DICK JACOBS
In my own office?
The trophy case behind his desk now has a few pieces of
hardware: An AFC Championship trophy and a Front Office
Personnel of the year plaque among others.
Dick walks over to his desk and puts down the bottle of wine.
Nick exits out of the Tetris application and opens up a new
app.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
You know it's refreshing to see a
man of your age embrace technology
as you have. I bought my mother a
Kindle for her birthday and all she
does on it is play Solitaire.
NICK VEGA
I wanted to talk about the press
conference.
DICK JACOBS
Are you here to call me fat too?
NICK VEGA
I wanted to talk about the Gadson
situation.
19.
DICK JACOBS
Why is everyone calling it a
situation? He's not an oil field in
Kuwait.
NICK VEGA
The preseason starts in two weeks
and I want to know what you're
planning on doing with Mo.
DICK JACOBS
He's got a year left on his
contract so I figure that we'll
play him. When the season's over
well open negotiations and that'll
be that.
NICK VEGA
About that...are we sure that Mo is
going to be at 100% this season?
If he's not, I'm not sure we should
be paying him 100% his value.
DICK JACOBS
With any other player, I'd be on
board with that. But this is Mo
we're talking about. He may be the
best player to put on the green and
white. We should take care of him.
He's taken care of us.
NICK VEGA
I'm not saying we don't take care
of him, I'm just saying that maybe
we should think about how we use
our resources. They could be better
spent.
DICK JACOBS
On what?
NICK VEGA
On this.
Nick turns the IPad around and shows Dick a headline. It
reads, Superstar Bears Wide Receiver Oatmeal Davis Released.
Dick's eyes light up.
DICK JACOBS
What? Why?
Nick gives him a you know the answer kind of look.
20.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
A DUI? Is he going to be suspended?
NICK VEGA
It's a first time offense, so it's
doubtful. His contract isn't
waiver-wire eligible.
DICK JACOBS
So he's a free agent?
INT. OFFICE LOBBY
Matt leans over Janine's desk. He's doing his best to flirt
with her. She's doing her best to pretend she's anywhere but
here.
MATT REICHARD
Yeah, so I call her every day.
Every day at five.
JANINE BARKLEY
That's sweet.
MATT REICHARD
Some days she doesn't even care if
I have nothing to say. She just
likes hearing my voice.
Dick storms out of his office.
DICK JACOBS
Matty! Did you hear about Oatmeal?
MATT REICHARD
Yeah of course. It broke just
before your press conference.
DICK JACOBS
And you didn't think to tell me?
MATT REICHARD
I didn't think you cared. I didn't
think you wanted him.
DICK JACOBS
Now why in the hell did you think
that?
MATT REICHARD
I don't know. This is his third
team in four years.
(MORE)
21.
MATT REICHARD (CONTD)
I figured that you considered him
untouchable. The guy's a locker
room cancer.
Dick grabs Matt's face and shakes it.
DICK JACOBS
That cancer caught 106 balls and
eleven TDs. If that's cancer then
my father was a lucky, talented
man.
He let's go of his face.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
Janine, get a meeting with this
guy. I want to see him face to
face. Do whatever it takes. If his
agent says he wants to do it in
Chicago, book me a flight. If he
wants to do it in New York, get me
front row to Jersey Boys! Matty,
let's go. You can talk about your
weird relationship with your mother
later.
He storms off towards the door.
JANINE BARKLEY
Mr. Jacobs, where are you going?
DICK JACOBS
To lunch!
INT. BENGALI TIGER RESTAURANT - DAY
Dick sits alone at a table in an extremely Indian restaurant.
He looks around the restaurant, listens to the foreign music,
and munches on naan.
A WAITER walks by.
DICK JACOBS
Excuse me, buddy. Would you mind
changing this music? I have a
business meeting and I'm finding it
hard to concentrate.
WAITER
What would you like for me to put
on?
22.
DICK JACOBS
Do you have any Fugazi?
WAITER
I don't believe so, sir. We have
Minor Threat though. I could ask
the manager to put that on.
DICK JACOBS
That's not what I asked, but I like
you. I like this place. More Indian
joints should embrace the DC punk
scene.
In the corner of the restaurant a TV plays ESPN. They're
showing highlights of when Oatmeal Davis shredded the Jets'
secondary during the Superbowl.
Dick is basically foaming at the mouth at the chance to sign
him, but that'll have to wait. The FRONT DOOR opens and Priya
Shivprisad (38) enters. She's got a briefcase and a sleek
pants and blazers ensemble.
She takes a seat across from Dick. She offers him her hand.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Dick, how are you?
DICK JACOBS
Priya baby, it' great to see you.
I'm doing great. How's the family?
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
I thought I asked you not to call
me baby. It's offensive and I don't
appreciate it.
DICK JACOBS
Hey, I don't appreciate having to
come all the way up to Murray Hill
to have this meeting in some hole
in the wall Indian joint. I figure
as long as I'm here, I should be
able to call you whatever I want.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
I wanted to have this meeting in
Florham Park. You were the one who
said we should come here.
DICK JACOBS
(gesturing with his hand)
Feh'.
23.
She unpacks her briefcase and takes out a stack of papers.
She's ready to talk turkey. Sadly, the same can't be said for
Dick.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
So how's our guy doing with his
rehab? Last I talked to Mo he said
he was running at full speed. But
you know how athletes are.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
I talked to his doctor yesterday.
He said that he's able to laterally
cut now.
DICK JACOBS
Sheesh, it is going well. I don't
think I could ever do that. So do
you have a figure in mind or do you
want to order first?
She takes a sip of water.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
I've talked to Mo and he knows that
the organization has taken very
good care of him over the years.
And we know that both sides would
like nothing more than for him to
retire in green.
DICK JACOBS
Damn right.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Which is why our initial offer is
four years, twenty million dollars,
with the last year non-guaranteed.
Dick blinks in disbelief. Four years, twenty million? What is
this?
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD (CONTD)
Mo said he's willing to go as low
as four years, eighteen million.
DICK JACOBS
Priya, Mo's our guy. Mo's my guy.
He's the pillar of this team and at
the end of the day he's pretty much
my hero. But I will not pay four
and a half million dollars a year
for a back coming off PCL surgery
whose on the wrong side of 30.
24.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Mo's twenty-nine.
DICK JACOBS
Then on the wrong side of twenty-
eight! Mo will get his deal. You
know that he will. But that figure
is irresponsible. I'm trying to
build a contender, and a figure
like that turns Mo into dead
weight. You need to come down a
little.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
I didn't want to have to say this,
but I spoke to Mo earlier in the
day. He's not comfortable playing
for the team without a multi-year
deal in place. If he doesn't get
that deal --
DICK JACOBS
What does that mean? He's not
comfortable playing for the team?
Are you talking about holding out?
She looks away, embarrassed.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
What if I promise to franchise tag
him at the end of the year? That
would get him close to seven for
the year and we'd have more time to
talk.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Now whose irresponsible? By the
time that tag is over Mo will be
thirty-one. No one in their right
mind would give him a good deal.
He'd be out on the street.
A vibration comes from Dick's pocket. He reaches down and
takes out his CELLPHONE. He has a text from Matt.
Matty: Got a meeting. The Standard. Thirty Minutes.
DICK JACOBS
Shit, Priya. I've gotta run.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Dick, we need to work this out.
25.
DICK JACOBS
And we will. Mo's not playing in
the preseason. That'll give us five
weeks to hash out a deal. I
promise. We'll take care of him.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Don't say it.
DICK JACOBS
We take care of our sons. Now do me
a favor? Tip the waiter for me.
Guy's a delight.
EXT. BENGHALI TIGER RESTAURANT
Dick walks through a heavy crowd of people and into
INT./EXT. MATT'S CAR - MOVING
He buckles his seat belt and Matt puts the car in drive. As
always, Manhattan traffic is absolutely insane. Matt screams
at other drivers.
MATT REICHARD
Oh! What are you, retarded? You
drive like god damn Frankie Muniz!
Dick, how did the meeting go?
DICK JACOBS
I love that woman, but she came in
asking four years, twenty million.
MATT REICHARD
That's not so bad. We have the
space for that.
DICK JACOBS
I know we do... I just want to meet
with Mo before I agree to anything.
If we pay him now that pretty much
ends our offseason moves. I don't
know If I should be done playing
yet.
He reaches into the glove compartment and takes out a pair of
SUNGLASSES and puts them on. He fiddles with the radio and
puts on a LOUD FUGAZI song.
He slumps down in his seat and takes a nap.
The car goes down from MIDTOWN to the MEATPACKING DISTRICT.
26.
EXT. THE STANDARD - EVENING
A beautiful Manhattan skyscraper. It's most notable quality
is that it's design scheme gives it the resemblance that it
was built upside down.
INT. THE STANDARD - TOP FLOOR
Matt looks out the window of the PENTHOUSE. It's got
expensive carpets, expensive desks, expensive furniture. It's
an expensive place.
Dick sits at the table drinking a BOTTLED WATER.
MATT REICHARD
You don't think this place is a bit
much, do you? It's what his agent
asked for. It feels like it's a
little too decadent.
DICK JACOBS
We live in a decadent country. We
drink water out of bottles here. A
few pretty buildings in a great
city is something I figure we're
entitled to.
He walks up to his assistant and looks out the window. The
pedestrians look like ants.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
Matty? You ever wonder why you do
this? Even though you're bad at
everything under the Sun, you're a
smart guy. You could be on of these
business types down there. Wearing
a Marc Jacobs suit, pulling down
200K a year. Slamming a pair of
super model legs. Seems like the
life, doesn't it?
MATT REICHARD
I don't know. I guess. I love this
job, Mr. Jacobs. Some things just
aren't about the money.
DICK JACOBS
I like to hear that.
The Sun is starting to go down.
27.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
What time did you say this meeting
was for? I feel like we've been
here for most of Beowulf.
MATT REICHARD
It is getting kind of late, isn't
it?
DICK JACOBS
If you want to go call your mom,
you can. I figure we've got another
hour or so before Oatmeal shows.
SETH POLLACK (O.S)
And why would you think that?
Dick and Matt turn towards the door and see Oatmeal's agent,
SETH POLLACK (32) standing there. Seth has on an unbelievably
slick suit.
He walks over.
SETH POLLACK (CONTD)
Dick Jacobs, Seth Pollack. Great to
meet you. You certainly do know how
to welcome a man in style. Would
you look at that view.
DICK JACOBS
There are rooms to rent. If your
client wanted we could set him up
with a place by the end of the
night.
SETH POLLACK
My client is more in the market to
buy. We're done with renting. We're
looking for something long-term.
DICK JACOBS
That's great, because so are we.
Speaking of your client--
SETH POLLACK
Mr. Davis couldn't make it tonight.
He had a previous engagement out-
of-state that he needed to attend
to. He said I can speak on his
behalf. Should we sit down?
They take seats at the massive desk.
28.
DICK JACOBS
Pretty sure the hall gets great
reception, Matty.
Matt takes that as a cue to leave and he walks out. Seth
takes one of the complimentary bottles of water and drinks
from it.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
When I heard this morning that
Oatmeal was hitting the market, I
knew that I had to get a sit down.
SETH POLLACK
Of course. I've heard that same
line a few times today.
DICK JACOBS
I'm sure you have. I'm assuming you
haven't spoken formally with many
teams. I think it would probably be
hard to come up with a figure under
such short notice.
SETH POLLACK
You might be surprised. My client
has a pretty large following. We've
heard some deals, but we wanted to
see what the new kid on the block
had to offer.
DICK JACOBS
For one thing, you get all of this.
You get the city. You get the
lights. You get the big stage.
SETH POLLACK
Don't try to pull that New York is
the cosmos act. You might have
signed your defensive line that
way, but Oatmeal is coming from
Chicago. You're not going to buy
him with tickets to Wicked.
DICK JACOBS
Actually, I was thinking something
along the lines of the Lion King.
Seth takes the water bottle cap and screws it back on.
SETH POLLACK
Dick, you're doing a terrible job
of wooing me right now.
(MORE)
29.
I came here because I knew your
checkbook was open and warm. If you
want to dance, find someone else.
My client is the prettiest girl at
the ball and he wants to go to bed
as soon as possible. Throw me a
figure.
DICK JACOBS
I really don't have anything
prepared.
SETH POLLACK
Then goodbye.
DICK JACOBS
Fine. I'll say...five years.
SETH POLLACK
That's not a bad start. Five years
for...
DICK JACOBS
Forty million.
Seth cocks his head and slides his chair out from under the
table. He walks out of the room without saying anything. Dick
chases him.
INT. THE STANDARD - HALLWAY
Matt is on the phone with his mother when Seth walks towards
the elevators.
MATT REICHARD
Mom, I'm going to have to call you
back. Love you too.
Dick is on his heels and he gets to him right as he pushes
the down button.
DICK JACOBS
Seth, what the hell?
SETH POLLACK
That number is a joke. My client
was making eight a year in Chicago.
He's not going to hit the market
and take less.
30.
DICK JACOBS
Your client just got a DUI. He's
lucky people are willing to spend
five on him. He's a headcase and
everyone knows it.
SETH POLLACK
And yet I fielded fifteen calls
today because my headcase is an
elite player in this league. Know
what, I shouldn't have come here at
all. I've had this same
conversation with fourteen other
managers. It's pathetic. You're all
so afraid.
DICK JACOBS
Afraid of what?
SETH POLLACK
Looking stupid. I thought you would
be different, Dick. You walk around
like your balls are dragging you to
China. I would have hoped you could
be brave enough to take a chance on
the best receiver in the league.
The ELEVATOR DOORS open and Seth walks in. Dick puts his hand
in the door to keep it from going down.
Just so you know, we already have
an offer on the table worth nine
point five million a year.
DICK JACOBS
What? From who?
SETH POLLACK
Someone with a lot of space whose
looking to win back the division
next year. Someone who--
DICK JACOBS
New England? There's no way Rosen
would offer you money like that.
He's a build from within guy.
Oatmeal should be his kryptonite.
SETH POLLACK
Maybe when he was a Jet, but now
that he's a Patriot, losing is his
kryptonite.
31.
INT. JETS' FACILITY - DICK'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Dick sits alone in his office with the lights off. He watches
a NEW ENGLAND PRESS CONFERENCE on his giant television. He
has his feet up on his desk and look of defeat on his face.
There's a half-eaten sandwich in his hands.
ANGLE ON TELEVISION
Oatmeal Davis stands next to Dale Rosen at a podium. Flash
bulbs burst. Oatmeal is handed a PATRIOTS JERSEY with the
number of 81. He smiles at the camera.
Dick changes the channel.
The press conference changes to a SPORTS CENTER BROADCAST.
Dick can't escape the coverage.
ANGLE ON TELEVISOIN
Mark Bellano, WARREN SAPP and KEYSHAWN JOHNSON are all at the
anchors' desk.
MARK BELLANO
So gentleman, I think this question
bares asking. Are the Patriots,
newly equipped with Oatmeal Davis,
the team to beat in the East?
WARREN SAPP
From where I'm standing they're the
team to beat in the league. Chicago
just lost their best player, New
York, no offense to them, is
overrated and--
MARK BELLANO
Why do you say that?
WARREN SAPP
I mean, I don't want to throw
stones, but for a team that's
supposed to be a junkyard dog, they
sure are spending money like their
tail's between their legs. If you
think your team is good and ready
to compete for a Superbowl, you
don't go out and overpay every guy
who walks into your building.
MARK BELLANO
What about you Keyshawn? How do you
feel about how this signing shakes
up the East?
32.
KEYSHAWN JOHNSON
As much as it hurts me to say, I've
gotta give the division to New
England. The Jets made me a rich
man, they got me the damn ball, so
I'm generally biased. But Oatmeal
Davis is a once in a generation
player and he went to maybe the one
team that could use him most.
MARK BELLANO
I'm sure Coach Rosen is salivating
right now thinking about how he can
use Davis.
WARREN SAPP
In that Patriots offense Davis
won't even be a weapon--he'll be a
battle ship.
KEYSHAWN JOHNSON
And to make the deal sweeter, he's
got a deal with no guaranteed
money. If they cut him before pre-
season is over, they don't lose
anything.
MARK BELLANO
Without a doubt a great deal by
Coach Rosen and the New England
Patriots.
JANINE BARKLEY (O.S)
Mr. Jacobs...
Dick looks away form the television and sees Janine inching
his door open.
DICK JACOBS
Janine, what's up?
JANINE BARKLEY
Is it alright if I go home?
Dick looks at a clock. It's almost midnight.
DICK JACOBS
I thought you left hours ago.
JANINE BARKLEY
You told me to wait until you gave
word. You said you wanted me just
in case you got any calls.
33.
DICK JACOBS
Did I?
She stands in the doorway waiting for her cut to leave.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
You're probably hungry. I think I
have a sandwich somewhere in here
if you want to split it with me.
JANINE BARKLEY
That's okay. I ordered Thai a few
hours ago. Do you need me to do
anything else?
DICK JACOBS
No. I'm okay. Have a good night.
She closes the door.
EXT. JETS' FACILITY - TRAINING FIELD - MORNING
Coach Apicella coaches up the defense.
RICK APICELLA
Fingers in the dirt. Further the
better. I don't want you tipping
them because of that hack white
knuckle shit.
He walks away from his defensive line. The linemen join the
defense. It's a normal scrimmage formation, save for the RED
JERSEY on the QB that screams out, "DON'T HIT ME THIS IS
PRACTICE."
RICK APICELLA (CONTD)
Alright. Let's see it again. I want
to see high four sluggo. On your
count.
Rick walks to the sideline and crosses his arms to wait for
the play to start. He puts a whistle in his mouth. He blows
it.
JETS QB
High four slug, high four slug.
Aspira, aspira. Hut, hut, hike!
The ball is snapped and like a wrecking ball the defensive
line smashes through the offensive line. The defensive end
pulls up just before crushing the QB.
34.
RICK APICELLA
Well done gentleman, well done.
Rick hears a clapping from behind. He turns around and sees
Dick, walking down the twenty story BLEACHERS.
DICK JACOBS
At least I did something right this
off-season. How do you like your
defense, Coach?
RICK APICELLA
I feel like these guys are anxious
to cause some havoc. I like it.
DICK JACOBS
You wanted mean, I got you mean.
You wanted physical, I got you
physical. I bet sleeping with one
of them is like sleeping with a
mountain.
RICK APICELLA
I'll wait a week for you to report
your findings back to me.
The scrimmage starts up again and the offense and defense get
back into their positions.
You know you don't have to beat
yourself up about not getting
Oatmeal. We'll do fine without him.
He wasn't a fit in the Spread
Offense anyway.
DICK JACOBS
A player like Oatmeal is a fit in
any offense. He is any offense. It
makes me sick he ended up in
Foxboro.
RICK APICELLA
You'll feel better when we beat em'
twice this year.
DICK JACOBS
What weeks are that again?
RICK APICELLA
It's week eleven, just before the
bye. And then --
35.
DICK JACOBS
Week seventeen. The closer.
RICK APICELLA
If you already knew then why did
you ask?
DICK JACOBS
I just wanted to make sure I wasn't
the only person who had that day
circled in my mind.
RICK APICELLA
When you've been with the Jets as
long as I have, you know that date
like you know your woman's cycle.
DICK JACOBS
I should really talk to HR about
what you just said to me.
Dick puts his hands in his pockets and looks over towards the
PARKING LOT. Matt stands by his car waiting for them to
finish up the conversation.
RICK APICELLA
You want to stick around? We're
going through the spread four
today. Might be fun to watch.
DICK JACOBS
Honestly Rick, there's nothing more
in this life that I'd rather do
than watch the game of football be
played, but I've got work. Meeting
with Mo in Miami.
RICK APICELLA
Still trying to work out that deal?
DICK JACOBS
Trying to start. I figure if I see
him at home he'll at least have to
invite me in for dinner.
RICK APICELLA
You get it done soon, Dick. I know
that you lost your white whale, but
don't sink the Pequod. Without Mo
we aren't going anywhere.
36.
DICK JACOBS
That's the most eloquent thing I've
ever heard. Why are you coaching
football and not teaching English?
RICK APICELLA
Because I'm not a loser.
Dick smiles and walks off the practice field.
Let's do it again boys! Line it up!
EXT. CHARITY FOOTBALL EVENT - AFTERNOON
GRADE SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN go through routine FOOTBALL DRILLS
on a small football field. They all have on matching green t-
shirts that reads, "Gadson's Gang." Moses stands around them,
supervising.
Across the field, underneath a tent, Dick and Matt watch the
action. Dick has a glass of white wine.
DICK JACOBS
You play football in high school
Matty?
MATT REICHARD
Nope.
DICK JACOBS
So then you were the nerdy,
bookwormy, fantasy football type
then, huh?
MATT REICHARD
Mom wouldn't let me. She said it
was too dangerous. Wouldn't have
let me put on a pair of pads if I
were 6'5, 250.
DICK JACOBS
That's the difference between you
and me, Reichard. When your mother
tells you not to do something, you
listen. When my mother tells me, I
do it and I lie about where I've
been all night.
Mo walks away from the drills and off to the side.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
The goose is loose.
37.
Dick gets up from his seat underneath the tent and walks out
onto the field. He walks straight through the game, drawing
whistles from refs and glares from parents.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
What the hell?
As he nears Mo, he sees Dale Rosen walking towards his
running back. He speeds up his walk. When he reaches the two
men they're in the middle of shaking hands and exchanging
pleasantries.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
Dale Rosen, you unhand my running
back or I'll sue you.
DALE ROSEN
It's good to see you too, Dick.
They then shake hands as old friends would.
DICK JACOBS
What are you doing here? I thought
you hated good weather. I thought
that's why you went to Boston.
DALE ROSEN
I just wanted to pay a visit to an
old friend. I donated quite a bit
to Mo's charity here and I wanted
to see what my money was buying.
MOSES GADSON
Your donation was appreciated,
Coach Rosen. All of us here
appreciate it.
Dale and Moses smiles and looks at the kids having fun. Dick
though, as usual, is all business.
DICK JACOBS
I wanted to congratulate you on the
Oatmeal signing. Honestly I wish
anyone but you got him, but I'm
glad it was you.
DALE ROSEN
Come on, Dick. Not now. Here we all
are in the sunshine around smiling
children and fresh air and the only
thing you want to talk about is
rambling gibberish nonsense.
38.
DICK JACOBS
If you don't mind, I'd like to
ramble gibberish nonsense with
Moses for a minute.
Dale looks to Moses to make sure that it's alright.
DALE ROSEN
Absolutely. See you week eleven,
Dick. Take care.
DICK JACOBS
You bet.
He watches his former mentor walk towards the bleachers where
his FAMILY is sitting.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
You got a place to talk?
EXT. TRACK - AFTERNOON
On the other side of the field where the charity football
game is being held there's an unoccupied running track. Dick
and Mo walk the circular track as they talk.
Dick looks down to the side of Mo's leg where there's a
massive SURGICAL SCAR.
DICK JACOBS
Modern medicine sure is amazing.
And terrible.
MOSES GADSON
Yeah.
DICK JACOBS
I'm sorry I didn't check in with
you more. I've been busy with the
offseason.
MOSES GADSON
I know.
DICK JACOBS
Am I detecting a hint of stank on
that? I'm busting my ass to get us
talent. This is for us, buddy. This
is for the team.
39.
MOSES GADSON
Dale used to say the same thing
when I would ask him why we weren't
signing anybody during the year.
DICK JACOBS
That's true.
MOSES GADSON
You all say that this is for us.
For the team. But this is never
about us. It's about you. You look
at us like you look at the colors
on the canvas. We're just different
shades of blue that make up the
sky.
DICK JACOBS
I swear to God, everybody must have
woken up today and decided they
were a wordsmith or something.
MOSES GADSON
You look at us and you see numbers
and production and a forty time and
the shuttle.
DICK JACOBS
For some guys, sure, they're just
camp bodies. But not for you. You
wear the C man. You're the captain.
MOSES GADSON
Then why am I being treated like a
grunt? It's been three weeks since
you met with Priya. I was expecting
an offer. And then I hear you took
a meeting with Oatmeal--
DICK JACOBS
The Oatmeal arc is over. It's done.
We're on to your story. I'm here to
sign you and bring you back where
you belong.
MOSES GADSON
I'm glad to hear that. Really.
DICK JACOBS
Good. It's too hot down here. Let's
bring you back up north where tax
rates are massive and everyone has
their teeth.
40.
They stop walking.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
We're able to give you the four
year, twenty million deal you asked
for, but the last two have to have
a team option. We've got to protect
ourselves.
MOSES GADSON
Why the option? I can play at a
high level longer than two years.
DICK JACOBS
I know you can. You can probably
play until your forty, but that's
the deal I came here with. I'm
taking care of you, Moses. Like I
said I would.
Moses looks across the track at the football game.
MOSES GADSON
The camp has another two days left.
I'll head up to Florham Park on
Saturday. I'll have Priya look over
the papers and I'll sign. That'll
give me a week of camp to gel with
the team and I'll be ready to go.
DICK JACOBS
Perfect.
They shake hands.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
So can we say that this holdout
flirtation of yours is over?
MOSES GADSON
Tell Coach Apicella to move the
hamburger wrappers out my locker.
DICK JACOBS
I think that's going to take more
than a week.
INT. JET'S FACILITY - VEGA'S OFFICE - DAY
Vega's office is lavishly decorated and has the Jets' lone
SUPERBOWL TROPHY in a case in the corner of the room. Coach
Apicella and Vega sit at a conference table, while Dick
marvels over the trophy.
41.
Matt walks through the door.
MATT REICHARD
I just got off the phone with
Priya. She says that they hit
traffic. It's going to be a little
while longer.
NICK VEGA
Better late than never. Thanks,
Matt.
MATT REICHARD
And here you go, Dick. Like you
asked for.
He walks over to Dick and passes him a bottle of CHAMPAGNE
and then leaves.
RICK APICELLA
Don't you think it's a little early
to celebrate? The pens haven't even
been uncapped yet.
DICK JACOBS
Eh', it's a done deal. He wants to
come back. I could see it in his
eyes in Miami. He wants this to be
over more than we do. I figured we
could at least enjoy some bubbly
while we spend what little we have
left.
Dick puts his champagne on the table and walks for the door.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
If they're going to be awhile I'm
gonna use my time wisely.
He walks out.
INT. JET'S FACILITY - LOBBY
Dick makes his way towards the MEN'S BATHROOM, but stops when
he sees Matt sitting on a couch watching WRESTLING on a
television.
DICK JACOBS
Matty, tell me you don't watch this
trash?
MATT REICHARD
Sure, I do. I mean, when I can.
42.
DICK JACOBS
What are you, five?
He walks over to the television and changes the channel to
ESPN. A WOMEN'S TENNIS MATCH is on. The two men watch the
ball go back and forth until the programming is interrupted
by Mark Bellano at the anchor's desk.
ANGLE ON TELEVISION
MARK BELLANO
We're sorry to interrupt this
French Open Semi-Finals Match, but
sources from the Boston Globe are
reporting that Oatmeal Davis has
been released from the New England
Patriots effective immediately. We
haven't been able to reach Coach
Rosen to ask him on the matter, but
we expect a statement to be made
shortly.
Nick Vega bolts out of the office.
NICK VEGA
Dick, have you heard this!
The office is empty and wrestling is back on the television.
Nick watches it for a moment before turning off it off.
INT./EXT. PRIYA'S CAR - MOVING - DAY
Priya and Moses drive towards the Jets' facility. It hangs
large in the distant skyline.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
You know you don't have to sign if
you don't want to. We could get
more. We have leverage here.
MOSES GADSON
I just want this to be over. We got
the deal we wanted.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Yeah, but that's the jumping point
and I don't like those non-
guaranteed years. Those years are a
pay cut waiting to happen.
MOSES GADSON
I appreciate you handing this, but
the deal is good.
(MORE)
43.
MOSES GADSON (CONTD)
If my contract doesn't last to
thirty-three, then that's fine.
It'll mean I wasn't worth it. I
don't expect that to be the case.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
I wish I had your confidence in
this administration. I wish I had
half your confidence in Dick
Jacobs.
From the other side of the street Matt's car speeds by. Both
Priya and Mo watch it blow through the speed limit.
Speak of the devil, that wasn't who
I think it was, was it?
INT. JETS' FACILITY - CONTINUOUS
Priya and Moses walk through the halls of the facility.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
I know that you're anxious to get
this done, but let me have at this
first. There's a good chance I
could get you some escalators.
MOSES GADSON
Okay, that's fine with me.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Of course it is.
They walk through the building until they get to NICK VEGA'S
DOOR. Moses opens it.
MOSES GADSON
After you.
INT. VEGA'S OFFICE
Priya goes in first and finds...
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Sorry we're late. The 405 was a--
God damnit.
...that the room is empty. On the TV in Vega's office is the
news story talking about Oatmeal Davis' release from the
Patriots.
44.
Moses walks over to the window and looks out at the training
field for perhaps the last time.
EXT. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NIGHT
Establishing shots of the city of Boston. Beantown. The
Cradle of Modern America. Enemy territory.
INT. PRESS CONFERENCE - NIGHT
The same familiar stage that we're used to seeing by now, but
the Jets logo is nowhere to be found. There's just a blank
screen behind the podium and Dick Jacobs, standing there,
shaking with excitement.
He's all smiles.
DICK JACOBS
I can't believe I'm here standing
on this soil. Well, concrete. But I
needed to announce this ASAP.
The CAMERAMEN in the crowd all raise their hardware towards
him.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
When I was Dale's assistant we had
a saying. A Patriots loss is a Jets
win. I remember one Sunday we lost
to the Browns three to nothing.
Easily the most boring game I've
ever seen with my own eyes. But
when Sunday Night came and the Pats
ate it against the Packers, we ate
a great big meal. We had dessert.
We got drunk.
He looks off to the side of the stage.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
I'm very proud to announce the
newest member of the New York Jets
franchise. Odrick "Oatmeal" Davis!
OATMEAL DAVIS (26), handsome and in impeccable shape, walks
to the podium. He covers his eyes to shield them from the
flash. Dick makes space for him to talk.
OATMEAL DAVIS
First off, I want to thank God for
making this possible.
(MORE)
45.
OATMEAL DAVIS (CONTD)
It's always been a dream of mine to
play in the Greatest City on Earth.
I hear nothing but great things.
When Mr. Jacobs called me earlier
in the day in took me maybe three
minutes to give him an answer.
DICK JACOBS
That's because I told him you don't
have to drive in the City.
There's laughter.
MIKE DELILO
Oatmeal, what's the first thing
you're going to do in the City?
OATMEAL DAVIS
I don't know. My girl says she
wants to take in a show or
something. I hear good things about
Newsies.
DICK JACOBS
Newsies? Is this kid made New York
or what? Wait til' he tries an
everything bagel. He'll take a
paycut to stay.
OATMEAL DAVIS
Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
END OF ACT I
46.
ACT II
EXT. AIRPORT TERMINAL - RUNWAY - NIGHT
An AIRPLANE with the NY JETS LOGO lands on the runway. When
the door opens and the stairs roll down, Dick and Oatmeal and
Seth Pollack walk off the plane.
Dick walks off first and is met with a STANDING OVATION by
fans and team officials.
DICK JACOBS
Thank you, thank you. I am great. I
know. I know. But we've got papers
to sign and things to do. If you're
still here tomorrow morning I'll be
sure to answer all your questions
and kiss all the babies you need me
to kiss.
They walk through the crowd and over to a CONVOY. They talk
outside a pair of MURDERED OUT TRUCKS. Dick takes a card out
of his suit and passes it to Seth.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
This guy has everything your client
will need to get started. A room,
some new clothes, a chauffeur
service. I want you to call this
cat as soon as you hit the Island.
He'll show you a good time.
OATMEAL DAVIS
Are you coming out with us, Dick?
You seem like someone who can hang.
DICK JACOBS
I appreciate you saying that, but I
have other things to do. I'm going
to set up a meeting with a real
estate rep. What do you prefer,
Long Island or Yonkers?
OATMEAL DAVIS
How about both.
DICK JACOBS
I am madly in love with you right
now. You're going to scare an awful
lot of white surgeons and score a
lot of touchdowns.
He kisses Oatmeal on the forehead.
47.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
Now have a good night. Get into
trouble. Don't let anybody find out
about it.
Dick walks into a truck and drives away.
INT. JET'S FACILITY - OFFICE LOBBY - NIGHT
The second Dick walks through the door he's already making
demands. He's riding high and nothing in the world can stop
him.
DICK JACOBS
Janine, get Barry Katz on the
phone. I don't care that it's late,
he's probably expecting my call.
Janine?
The lights in the lobby are off. No one's working. Dick
stalks around the office looking for signs of life, but finds
none. He goes into his office.
INT. DICK'S OFFICE
There's a red light covering the dark room. Dick's ANSWERING
MACHINE is blinking. He walks over to it and plays the
message.
EXT. DICK'S CAR - MOVING - NIGHT
Dick's LEXUS cruises down the Long Island Expressway. There's
not another car on the road.
DICK JACOBS (V.O)
Priya, it's me. Call me back. We
need to talk. Bye.
Beep.
EXT. PRIYA'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
An establishing shot of Priya's charming Long Island home.
All the lights are off save for one on the first floor.
DICK JACOBS (V.O)
Priya baby, you need to call me
back. This is serious. This isn't
smart. Call me back now.
48.
Beep.
INT. CLUB - CONTINUOUS
Oatmeal Davis and his ENTOURAGE make it rain in a Manhattan
night club. Oatmeal wastes no time living up to his
reputation.
DICK JACOBS (V.O)
Priya, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have
called you baby. That's impolite
and sexually offensive. My mother
didn't raise me like that. I don't
know who that is. You need to call
me back or I'm going to have to
come to you. So please, please
please--
INT. PRIYA'S HOUSE - FRONT DOOR
Priya, wearing pajamas, opens the door to a very disheveled
and sweaty Dick.
DICK JACOBS
Why does it take so long to get
here? I feel like I've been driving
for half a day.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
That's what it feels like when you
drive yourself around.
They go in through the door and walk into the
KITCHEN
Priya takes a seat at a round dinner table. Dick looks at
pictures of her children on the fridge. The only light on is
the one above the sink and it leaves most of the room in
darkness.
DICK JACOBS
You know, your son looks just like
you. He has the same nose as you.
Same eyes.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
That's not a picture of my son,
that's a picture of me when I was
four.
49.
DICK JACOBS
Seriously? Wow, I see it now.
Yikes. They sure do dress you kids
weird in Karachi.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
I'm from Levittown!
Dick sits down across from her.
DICK JACOBS
I can get you a deal. I'll talk to
Matty -- he's the cap guy -- I'll
have him restructure players, we'll
get you a deal.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
You've had all year to get Moses a
deal. You had four months after
that year to get him a deal. There
is no deal anymore. Not for Mo.
DICK JACOBS
We need Mo on this team!
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Yet you low ball him from the get
go and when we finally compromise
you no-show on us and fly to Boston
and use money to sign some scumbag
that my client is entitled to. I'm
amazed you even came down here. I
figured you were organizing a
parade for yourself!
DICK JACOBS
Let me talk to Moses! I can work
this out!
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
He doesn't want to talk to you!
Jesus. How stupid are you? He
doesn't even like you.
DICK JACOBS
Wait, what? He doesn't like me?
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
No, he doesn't. Why do you think he
does? Why do you think anyone likes
you? Is it because you win?
(MORE)
50.
Half the teams in this league win,
just because you did it one time
doesn't mean you have the right to
throw your nuts around like a
flying squirrel. My client doesn't
like you. He doesn't like doing
business with you. No one does.
You're an asshole.
DICK JACOBS
Bullshit.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
What you think is charm is just you
being an idiot. Do you know how
simple it used to be dealing with
this team? Dale Rosen would call
me, I'd call him, we'd work out a
deal and be on our way. You were in
those meetings, you know how it
used to be.
DICK JACOBS
Well it's not that way anymore and
Dale Rosen isn't here. He's in New
England. If you and your client
miss him so much go play with him
up there. I'm sure he'd bend over
backwards to have you.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Maybe we will.
Dick doesn't say anything. He's stunned. Before he can get
out another word, Priya's son, CHETAN (6), walks into the
kitchen.
CHETAN SHIVPRISHAD
Mommy, what's going on? It's early.
Why is it so early?
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
I don't know, baby. Go back to bed.
I'll tuck you back in as soon as
I'm done talking to this man from
the team.
CHETAN SHIVPRISHAD
Are you a football player?
Dick points to himself as if he didn't know he was the one
being asked.
51.
DICK JACOBS
No. I'm just a guy in a suit. I'll
get out of your hair.
He gets up and walks out of the kitchen.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
You be nice to your mom, okay? If
she thinks you're being mean,
she'll threaten to leave you and
get a new son.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Dick!
He walks out of the kitchen and we hear the sound of the
front door close.
INT./EXT. DICK'S CAR - MOVING - NIGHT
Dick drives through Long Island until he gets to a
EXT. 24 HOUR DINER.
He parks in the parking lot and walks up the stares and goes
inside.
INT. DINER - CONTINUOUS
He's immediately greeted by a WAITRESS who is the one person
in the world who looks more tired than he is.
WAITRESS
Sit anywhere you'd like.
He picks a corner booth and sits.
WAITRESS (CONTD)
What'll you have tonight?
DICK JACOBS
Do you guys have free coffee?
Refills I mean.
WAITRESS
Yeah, sure. To a point at least.
DICK JACOBS
I'll have that. I'll pay and tip
now.
52.
He takes out his wallet and gives her a FIFTY DOLLAR BILL.
She puts the money in her fanny pack and walks off with a
smile.
There's a television across the restaurant that's playing
sports highlights and he moves to the other side of the booth
to avoid it. The waitress comes with a COFFEE POT and a MUG.
WAITRESS
I brought you the pot, so you can
just help yourself.
He pours some coffee in the mug and sips it. He puts his head
down on the table and the few patrons at the restaurant stare
at him.
EXT. JETS' FACILITY - PRACTICE FIELD - MORNING
Coach Apicella and the team go through a full contact
scrimmage. Oatmeal isn't taking part though. He's on the
sideline talking to a member of his entourage.
RICK APICELLA
Oatmeal, you maybe want to get in
the play? There's only ten in the
huddle.
OATMEAL DAVIS
Hold on a second...
RICK APICELLA
Oatmeal!
OATMEAL DAVIS
Calm down dude. What's the play?
RICK APICELLA
Z-double slant left.
Oatmeal gives him a confused look.
Line up in the X. Slant left. Have
you not been reading the playbook?
Oatmeal puts his helmet on and jogs over to the huddle. After
a few moments the QB breaks the huddle and Oatmeal lines up
on the right side.
QUARTERBACK
Hut, hut, hike!
53.
He snaps the ball and oatmeal runs forward a few yards, and
then with intense quickness, cuts left. The Quarterback
throws him the ball down the middle, but instead of making a
play on it, Oatmeal lets it sail over his head.
A SAFETY intercepts it. Rick takes his hat off and throws it
in the dirt.
INT. JETS' FACILITY - NICK VEGA'S OFFICE
Nick Vega watches an episode of THREE'S COMPANY on his
computer. Rick enters and he minimizes the video as though it
were something much worse.
RICK APICELLA
Nick, we've got to talk.
NICK VEGA
Of course we do. I was having too
good a day so far.
RICK APICELLA
I don't know what to do with
Oatmeal. He's talking back, he's
not studying the playbook, he's not
doing anything. He's as advertised.
NICK VEGA
You're damn right he's as
advertised. Did you see how many
season tickets we've sold since we
signed him. The guys like a money
tree.
RICK APICELLA
But he's not learning the playbook.
I'd rather play one of the rookies
in his spot if he isn't going to
learn the route tree. Look, he's
just sitting there.
Rick walks over to the window and points down to the field.
Oatmeal is sitting off on his lonesome as the team practices
without him.
NICK VEGA
Rick, let me ask you this. What's
Oatmeal's number?
RICK APICELLA
Eighty-two.
54.
NICK VEGA
As long as Oatmeal has that number
on the back of his jersey, he's
doing a lot. A whole lot.
RICK APICELLA
I want to talk to Dick about him.
Maybe he can knock some sense into
him--he won't talk to me.
NICK VEGA
Dick's a little tied up right now.
INT. DICK'S OFFICE
Dick stands over his desk. He's speaking into his phone's
INTERCOM. Matt is in the corner of the room taking notes.
DICK JACOBS
Priya, I told you. Under the
current cap space we can't offer a
contract more than a two year deal
for ten. That's the most. But if
you let us restructure --
MATT REICHARD
Reynolds say's he'll convert part
of his salary into a workout bonus,
and Scott says he's willing to put
on an extra two years.
DICK JACOBS
You hear that. That's the money
you're looking for. Let us make
those moves. Let us give you that
deal.
Priya speaks through the intercom.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD (O.S)
Those are moves you should make,
but it doesn't make a difference.
We're not signing for that. Not
anymore.
DICK JACOBS
Then we can't offer a deal more
than two for ten.
You gave out seventy million in
contracts the last three months.
(MORE)
55.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD (O.S) (CONTD)
You're telling me you can't do
seven a year guaranteed?
DICK JACOBS
I'm saying that right now, I can't.
Next year I can. We can cut dead
weight, but right now no. I don't
even understand why you're doing
this. You know how this works.
You're trying to get a guy to
overpay who has literal flies
shooting out of his wallet. I don't
have the money.
You have 9.5 million dollars of
Chicago tender walking around right
now and you're going to tell me you
don't have the money? My client
will not be showing up to the team
facilities until he has a multi-
year deal on the table that we
consider fair.
DICK JACOBS
How about I give you twenty million
a year for a thousand years? Is
that fair? Can the last two hundred
be non-guaranteed?
The dial tone chimes through the intercom. In frustration
Dick slides the intercom off the desk and it lands with a
thud.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
That did not go well.
MATT REICHARD
No it didn't. She is right though.
If we were to cut Oatmeal before
the first game of the season we'd
get our money back.
DICK JACOBS
No we wouldn't.
MATT REICHARD
Minus his signing bonus we would.
That's more than enough to send
Moses an offer sheet.
DICK JACOBS
Will you forget it! We're not
cutting Oatmeal.
(MORE)
(MORE)
56.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
I don't care how much he's making,
he's on this team. I am not going
to let him hit the market again.
He's our Excalibur. He was my sword
in the stone and I pulled him. He's
all I have left.
Matt walks over to his boss and picks up the intercom.
MATT REICHARD
You think that maybe that was the
plan all along?
DICK JACOBS
Whose plan?
MATT REICHARD
Rosen's plan. You think that maybe
he signed him just so you would
want him?
DICK JACOBS
What? No. You saw me. As soon as he
hit the market I told you to get me
in a room with him.
MATT REICHARD
Yes, but you also wanted to pay him
almost two million less. Do you
think you would have signed Oatmeal
for almost ten a year if you
hadn't, you know, won him from
Dale.
Dick walks over to his window and looks out at the field.
I don't want to be off base here,
but I think Rosen played you. Even
the two million difference. That
difference is what --
DICK JACOBS
Jesus, Matty. Shut the fuck up.
EXT. SEASON SEQUENCE
In the first three games of season, against the Lions, the
Bengals, and the Giants, respectively, Oatmeal goes wild. He
scores touchdowns on all sorts of plays. He makes daring
catches in traffic and awe-inspiring one handed grabs.
57.
The trade might not be so bad after all and on the field the
Jets look stronger than ever. Dick and the team celebrate the
victories.
EXT. PARK - DAY
On a sunny day, Chetan climbs the monkey bars with a handful
of children on a jungle gym. Priya sits on a bench and, has
her face pointed down at her IPAD.
She's looking at box scores for the preseason games.
DICK JACOBS (O.S)
Hey, do you know the password for
the Wi-Fi?
Dick walks up from behind her and rubs her shoulders and
looks down at her IPAD.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
It's good to know that I'm not the
only one who shucks familial
obligations to see how the Rams did
against the Jaguars.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
How'd you find me?
DICK JACOBS
I called your office. The lovely
receptionist you employ told me
that you were out.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
So you came here? That doesn't add
up.
DICK JACOBS
I have terrific instincts. It's
most likely the ninth best thing
about me. So, aren't you going to
congratulate me on our so-far
undefeated season.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Can you please let go of me?
He removes his fingers from her back and sits down on the
bench.
58.
DICK JACOBS
You know you really hurt my
feelings when you said that nobody
liked me. That was a really bully
move.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Oh, grow up.
DICK JACOBS
Honestly, I went to the nearest
diner I could and drank a whole pot
of coffee. I gained two pounds in
just water weight.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
What? That doesn't make sense.
DICK JACOBS
I'd appreciate it if you didn't
marginalize my emotions. You've
done enough damage as is.
He crosses his legs and leans back in the bench as though it
were his.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
So I wanted to see where you and
Moses were regarding the contract.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Unless you've been talking direct
to him, we're at the same place we
left off last month.
DICK JACOBS
I just want you to know that our
offer of ten for two stands.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Thanks for letting me know.
DICK JACOBS
You're gonna want to cash in on
that. If he hits the free agent
market without a deal in place,
you'll be lucky if you can get
eight for two. Hell, seven for
three.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
We'll take our chances. I'm not as
impressed with you and your team as
you seem to be.
59.
DICK JACOBS
Just know that you're putting the
ball in our court by doing this. If
we want to we can trade him to any
team in the country. I'm sure
anyone would take him for a fifth.
How does your client feel about
spending a few years in Minnesota?
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
I don't think he would mind it if
it were a few months, but that's
all it would be. After his contract
was up we'd hit the market.
DICK JACOBS
You're pretending like the Vikings
would care enough about his
feelings to not franchise tag him.
He'd be there as long as they'd
want him.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Then we'd holdout again.
DICK JACOBS
And you could kiss his credibility
and any chance at another good deal
goodbye. Moses is good, but he's
not two holdouts in three years
good.
Dick gets up off the bench.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
We play the Dolphins in three days.
If I don't hear from you before
then, consider your client's
contract fair game.
He walks away from the bench and heads over to the parking
lot. He goes into Matt's car and drives off. Priya watches
him go, then takes out her phone.
She makes a call.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Hello, Dale. I just spoke with
Dick. It's happening.
CHYRON READS: Week 4 - Miami at Jets
60.
Oatmeal Davis stands in the end zone awaiting the opening
kick. The mostly full Metlife Stadium crowd are up on their
feet in anticipation.
As the Dolphins kicker launches the ball into the sky,
towards Oatmeal, the crowd cheers.
CROWD
J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets Jets!
As soon as the returner catches the ball we
CUT TO:
EXT. MIAMI - NEIGHBORHOOD - SAME TIME
Moses jogs around his neighborhood. He has headphones in. He
listens to early 2000's hip hop. He runs by a house that has
a GIANT SCREEN TV that has the Jets game on it.
He stops running to peer in through the window. He watches as
Oatmeal Davis returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown.
He shakes his head in disappointment and runs again.
INT. MOSES' HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Moses' wife, NIKKI GADSON, is on the couch reading a magazine
when her husband walks into the house. He takes off his
headphones.
MOSES GADSON
Any messages for me?
NIKKI GADSON
Maybe. I'm not sure. I think
someone might have called. Your
phones in the kitchen.
He walks out of the room and into the
KITCHEN
His phone sits on the edge next to the sink. He turns it on
and there's one message from Dick. He smiles. He plays the
message and puts the phone up to his ear.
DICK JACOBS (O.S)
Hi, Moses. It's Dick. Vega and
Coach Apicella wanted to call you
to let you know that we wish you
luck in the future.
(MORE)
61.
DICK JACOBS (O.S) (CONTD)
Our deal is on the table if you
reconsider. We'd obviously love to
have you suited up for the Bills
next week... I'm sorry.
Moses puts the phone down and looks down at the sink. There's
a dirty Jets mug in the sink. He takes out it out and throws
it in the trash.
Mark Bellano stares straight at the camera as usual. The Jets
Logo and the PLAYER CARD picture of Moses Gadson are on the
right side of the screen.
MARK BELLANO
We have breaking news, as sources
out of the NY area have stated that
the New York Jets have placed Pro-
Bowl running back, Moses Gadson, on
the trade block. The final year of
his contract is now up for grabs.
As the week eight trade deadline
approaches, all eyes are on Dick
Jacobs to get a deal done.
We zoom out from the broadcast and into
INT. JETS' FACILITY - DICK'S OFFICE - DAY
CHYRON READS: Two Days Later
Dick watches the television in his office. Matty, in the
corner of the room, is on the computer.
DICK JACOBS
Sources? Where do they get these
things. Sources. I'd love it if
there was some dude who was just
named Jim Sources.
Janine opens the door.
JANINE BARKLEY
Dick, Mark Weatherup is on the
phone. Should I patch him through?
DICK JACOBS
Who?
62.
JANINE BARKLEY
The assistant GM of the Vikings.
He's calling about Moses.
DICK JACOBS
Great, is there anything I should
know about him.
JANINE BARKLEY
His name is Mark.
DICK JACOBS
Send him through.
She closes the door and Dick's phone rings. He picks it up
after the first one.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
Milk, how you doing? You looking to
put it in a bid for the man of the
hour?
Matt gets up and walks over to a wipe board. On the board is
a list of all the trade offers teams have put it for Moses.
There's around twenty.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
A fifth and a seventh? You're gonna
have to do better than that Milk.
I'm not going to tell you who, but
somebody in the North called me not
ten minutes ago offering a third.
Okay. You get back to me when you
talk to him. Buh, bye, Milk.
He hangs up the phone. Matt writes the new offer on the
board.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
Jesus Matty, you'd think these guys
were trying to put in a bid for a
coat on Ebay with some of these
offers. Some real low ball crap.
MATT REICHARD
The interest is definitely there.
There's no shortage of bidders.
DICK JACOBS
Hell, at this rate it might be
worth it to just let him sit this
year and sign him for peanuts next
year.
63.
MATT REICHARD
Do you really think that's going to
happen?
DICK JACOBS
Of course it will. We'll have some
money freed up from the cap
increase and he'll be back fresh as
ever.
MATT REICHARD
I don't know, Dick. I'd love to see
Moses back in green, but I'm
starting to think the days of him
wearing the gold patch for us are
done.
DICK JACOBS
If I didn't need you to be my
designated driver, I'd fire you for
that.
Janine comes in again.
JANINE BARKLEY
Dick, you have another phone call.
DICK JACOBS
That's great, Janine. Who is it?
Don't be so cryptic.
JANINE BARKLEY
It's Dale Rosen.
DICK JACOBS
Why, this is an interesting
development, isn't it? Put him
through.
JANINE BARKLEY
He says he wants to meet with you
in person. He gave me an address.
He wants to meet alone.
EXT. ROSEN'S HOME - DAY
A run of the mill suburban house in Forest Hills, Queens.
Dick walks up the brick steps and rings the doorbell. After a
few seconds an OLD WOMAN answers the door.
OLD WOMAN
Hello, how can I help you?
64.
DICK JACOBS
Hi. I'm Dick Jacobs. I'm here to
speak with Dale. Is this the right
place?
The Old Woman sticks her head back into the house and yells:
OLD WOMAN
Dick! You have a visitor! Oh wait,
he's in the back. I'll take you to
him.
INT. ROSEN'S HOME - CONTINUOUS
Dick is lead through Dale's childhood home. There are
pictures of him throughout every stage in his life. A COACH
OF THE YEAR PLAQUE hangs next to a DIPLOMA.
There are cats everywhere.
EXT. ROSEN'S HOME - BACKYARD
Dick is lead outside to the backyard. There are fifteen cats
meowing and eating kibble in the sun. Dale sits on a bench
underneath the tree. He's got a cat on his lap.
DICK JACOBS
Thanks.
The Old Woman goes back inside. Dick walks over to Dale.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
Is that your new wife?
DALE ROSEN
My mother. I wanted to pick a place
where no one would find us.
Dick looks at the feline frenzy in the backyard.
DICK JACOBS
So are these all strays? I thought
cats were supposed to live inside.
DALE ROSEN
Some do. Some don't. About a year
ago a couple of tabbies got into
the basement and well, now they're
out here.
DICK JACOBS
They smell awful.
65.
DALE ROSEN
They do.
Dick goose steps over a cat and sits on the bench.
DICK JACOBS
So I'm hip to your moves last
month. I don't appreciate you
trying to sandbag me with Oatmeal's
contract. That was some dirty pool.
DALE ROSEN
Eh', football is fifty percent
dirty pool.
DICK JACOBS
What's the other fifty percent?
DALE ROSEN
Football. I would have expected you
to see it coming a mile away. You
were my right hand for the better
part of a decade, I thought that
move reeked of a Rosen Special.
DICK JACOBS
These cats reek of a Rosen Special.
If you don't mind I'd like to know
what you want so I could get out of
here and burn this suit. I'm
feeling very allergic right now.
Dale pushes the cat off his lap and it runs further into the
yard.
DALE ROSEN
You remember how when I was in New
York we would say that a Patriots
loss is a Jets win? Why am I even
saying that? Of course you do. You
probably have it written on your
mirror in lipstick.
DICK JACOBS
It's backwards and everything.
DALE ROSEN
Well, we have a saying like that
over in Boston too. It goes, "Fuck
the Jets."
DICK JACOBS
I bet you say that about all the
pretty girls.
66.
DALE ROSEN
But you're our special lady. We
mean it double for you.
DICK JACOBS
This doesn't explain why you asked
me to come here. You could have
told me that over the phone, over
mimeograph or whatever.
DALE ROSEN
I brought you here to let you know
that I intend to trade for Moses.
DICK JACOBS
Yeah, okay. Thanks for letting me
know. Have a good one, Dale.
Dick gets up off the bench and makes his way through the
yard.
DALE ROSEN
And I'm offering a first for him.
Dick turns around.
DALE ROSEN (CONTD)
I'm even willing to offer a
conditional fifth if that'll
sweeten the deal. I know that no
one has offered more than a fourth,
so I figure the thirty-second pick
should be more than enough for our
favorite boy.
DICK JACOBS
Absolutely not. I wouldn't trade
Moses to you if you were offering
five firsts. Actually --
DALE ROSEN
You're not going to get a better
offer than that and you'll look
stupid if you don't take it. I'm
not going to keep this quiet. By
the time you get back to Florham
Park this'll be running on ESPN.
DICK JACOBS
The jokes on you because I'm going
home after this. My wife has dinner
ready. Pizza bagels with pep!
67.
DALE ROSEN
Make jokes, Dick. You trying to be
funny isn't going to change the
fact that you're going to look like
a bull headed idiot. I could see
the headline now: Dipshit Jets GM
Refuses Golden Ticket, Loses Moses
Gadson to Patriots in the Offseason
Is Dumbest Piece of Shit of All
Time Should Kill Himself.
DICK JACOBS
You should write copy.
DALE ROSEN
I'm too busy making it. And don't
think about trading him somewhere
else. This offer stands to the
other thirty teams in the league.
If you want to make Moses a 49er,
then I'll be happy to send them our
pick.
DICK JACOBS
What if I sit on him?
DALE ROSEN
You won't. You care too much what
those idiot talking heads say to do
that. As each week passes you'll
look worse and worse. You'll be the
one on the block by the deadline if
you don't move him.
Dick puts his hands together and fakes a smile.
DICK JACOBS
Well Dale, this has been great.
I'll take that info and tell the
boys back home and I'll see you in
hell.
DALE ROSEN
Good luck in Buffalo on Sunday. I
expect you guys to win.
DICK JACOBS
Thanks for that. I hope these cats
suffocate you in your crib.
DALE ROSEN
Fuck the Jets.
68.
Dick walks through the backyard and leaves through a wooden
gate.
INT./EXT. AIRPLANE - DAY
The Jets fly upstate to face the Bills. The players gamble,
watch movies, sleep. Dick reads a story on ESPN that talks
about the Patriots wanting to trade their first round pick
for Moses.
He clicks off the story and watches MASH on NETFLIX.
EXT. RALPH WILSON STADIUM - DAY
CHYRON READS: Week Five - Jets at Bills
The QB fakes a run and then hands it off to Oatmeal Davis on
an end around. Oatmeal shakes off two defenders on his way to
a long touchdown. The Bills fans are cold and exhausted and
as the clock ticks down to the zero the scoreboard reads:
Jets 24 - Bills 6.
Dick watches the game from the OWNER'S BOX, and even though
his team is victorious he has a worried look on his face.
A graphic reads: Moses Gadson - Flip Him or Flop Him?
JONATHAN B. JOHNSON
And even without Moses Gadson, the
Jets find a way to start the season
5-0. Flip, I know the question of
the day is will they sign Moses
Gadson, but I reckon the question
is, should they?
FLIP BAYLOR
Jonathan B., we've seen this a
million times. It's the Bills. They
beat the Bills. So what? It's 7AM
on a Wednesday and I beat the Bills
three times this morning.
JONATHAN B. JOHNSON
Flip, just answer the question!
FLIP BAYLOR
Should they sign him? Yes. Will
they? No.
(MORE)
69.
FLIP BAYLOR (CONTD)
If I were Moses Gadson I would
never play another down for that
sorry sack of a franchise. He was
their white night during their dark
days. They should be ashamed of
themselves.
JONATHAN B. JOHNSON
True enough, but lucky for the Jets
they have all the leverage and with
a gimme of a game against
Tennessee, I don't see this being
resolved anytime soon.
CHYRON READS: Week Six : Titans at Jets.
The scoreboard reads 17-14, with the Jets out front. Dick
stands on the sideline with Matt. He's uneasy. It's too close
for comfort.
DICK JACOBS
I don't like this. Something's
wrong here.
MATT REICHARD
We're driving. They're not gonna
close the gap. The two-minute
warning is soon.
DICK JACOBS
I don't know, Matty. I've watched a
lot of football. There's some foul
karma in the air. Some bad juju.
Further down the sideline, Coach Apicella calls the next play
into his HEADSET.
RICK APICELLA
Alright, give em' high four sluggo.
From the field the QB signals that he heard the call and goes
to the huddle. When they break and go to the line he snaps it
just as the clock hits two minutes. He passes to Oatmeal down
the middle...
DICK JACOBS
I don't like this.
...and he catches it, but not before getting absolutely
rocked by a safety.
70.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
No!
The ball flies into the air and a Tennessee linebacker
catches it and returns it for a touchdown. The crowd is
stunned into silence.
And to make matters worse, Oatmeal isn't moving.
INT. LOCKER ROOM
A DOCTOR shines a PENLIGHT in Oatmeal's eyes. Davis has on a
blank, dulled expression. He's up, but he's certainly not
atom.
DOCTOR
...and look to your right. And to
your left.
Dick barges through the closed doors to assess the situation.
DICK JACOBS
Oh thank God. Kid, I thought you
were dead. Now let's get your
helmet back on, there's forty-five
seconds on the clock.
He picks up OATMEAL'S HELMET from the ground and hands it to
him. It falls on the ground immediately.
DOCTOR
Absolutely not. In no way, shape,
or form can I allow my patient to
see action tonight.
DICK JACOBS
Your patient? You've been with him
forty seconds and you're already
calling him your patient. Come on,
he just go this bell rung it
happens to everyone.
DOCTOR
Chances are very good that Oatmeal
has a severe concussion. There is
no way I will allow for him to see
action. In fact, I think we should
send him to a specialist.
Dick takes in the information then kicks the helmet across
the floor. It bashes into a locker.
71.
EXT. METLIFE STADIUM - TUNNEL
Dick and Matt watch the last few seconds of the game from the
ENTRANCE TUNNEL. The Titans take a knee and win the game 21-
17.
Many of the fans were gone before the whistle blew.
MATT REICHARD
There wasn't anything he could have
done anyway. There was no time.
DICK JACOBS
Ain't this sport terrible. One
minute victory is all but assured,
next minute you're doing radiation
tests and praying the next
generation don't come out with
tentacles for arms.
MATT REICHARD
It's that bad?
DICK JACOBS
Worse. They're taking him to a
specialist.
MATT REICHARD
Will he be able to play next week
in Denver?
DICK JACOBS
Probably. I don't know.
Dick watches the Titans celebrate and then walks back into
the tunnel.
INT. MOSES' HOME - LIVING ROOM - HOME GYM
Moses watches highlights of the game as he runs on his
TREADMILL. He takes no satisfaction in seeing Oatmeal's
injury, but he does sense the possible waning moon of the
team.
EXT. NEW JERSEY GATED COMMUNITY - AFTERNOON
Dick drives through a GATED COMMUNITY. They pass by huge, but
tasteful homes. They stop outside of an ultra modern home.
72.
INT. OATMEAL'S MANSION - CONT.
Seth Pollack leads Dick and Matt through Oatmeal's home.
Everything inside it is ultra new, but cheap and unnecessary.
DICK JACOBS
So you're his butler too? I would
have figured he'd be paying you
enough money that you wouldn't have
to pull double duty.
SETH POLLACK
Mr. Davis considers me to be a sort
of liaison between he and the
outside forces you find in this
league.
DICK JACOBS
Who is he, Howard Hughes?
SETH POLLACK
Hardly.
They walk through his house and they settle in the
OFFICE
There's a SUPERBOWL RING, a SUPERBOWL MVP TROPHY, and the
HEISMAN TROPHY protected by a glass case like it were in the
Met. Seth takes a seat behind a desk and Dick marvels at the
hardware.
DICK JACOBS
So what's the damage? I figure
we're not going to get Oatmeal back
in time for Denver, but what about
Dallas?
SETH POLLACK
We've been advised by our personal
physicians to hold all contact
activities for at least a month and
a half period.
DICK JACOBS
What? That's almost half the
season! He has a concussion not a
collapsed lunch.
SETH POLLACK
We both know that the NFL is taking
head injuries very serious and that
rushing my client back could result
in penalties for the team.
73.
DICK JACOBS
Fine, I get that. But six weeks?
SETH POLLACK
Six to eight.
DICK JACOBS
I figured he wouldn't be back in
time for Dallas, but dude, come on.
Is he at least going to play
against the Pats?
SETH POLLACK
Mr. Davis has assured me that he
will be back and ready and up to
speed when you host New England.
He's been looking forward to that
game all year.
DICK JACOBS
Well that's good at least. Now if
you don't mind, can I talk to the
Aviator in person, or do I need you
to sign my words as to not rupture
his ear drums.
SETH POLLACK
Mr. Davis is currently sleeping. He
has told me not to let anything
interrupt him.
DICK JACOBS
He's sleeping? He has a concussion,
why is he sleeping?
SETH POLLACK
Because he needs his rest,
obviously.
There is no end to the negativity of the First Take Flunkies.
They're in the middle of a shouting match, even though they
agree with each other.
A graphic reads: Oatmeal Davis Out 6-8 Weeks.
FLIP BAYLOR
Even before the injury, the Jets
had no shot against the Broncos.
Now they're going to get blown out
of the water.
74.
JONATHAN B. JOHNSON
Predicted score: Broncos thirty,
Jets six.
FLIP BAYLOR
You're being awful generous there,
Jonathan B. Your New York bias is
showing. The Jets have found
themselves in a Mexican standoff
with no ammo and only a water
barrel to hide in.
The screen freezes and we zoom out and show that the program
is being watched in
INT. MILE HIGH STADIUM - JET'S LOCKER ROOM - NIGHT
Chyron Reads: Week Six - Jets at Broncos
Coach Apicella shows his team the footage before the game.
The players all wear scowls across their faces and Apicella
paces around the room like a general before a battle.
Everyone is silent.
RICK APICELLA
It never stops does it. We lose one
game, one player, and all is lost.
We become a joke. And not even a
good joke, a real muddy fart of a
joke.
A few of the players laugh.
I don't want to see a smile on one
of your faces. I don't want to hear
a laugh out of any of your mouth
holes. I just want to see you
baring your teeth like the beasts I
know you can be.
He walks up to the TV.
They say we have no chance. We're
in Denver. We're short-handed.
We're lost. But you all know what I
know, and that's that we're not
lost. We know where we are. We know
who we are. And we know what they
can do with those jokes.
75.
He pushes the TV over and it breaks.
We are fifty-two strong and hungry
and tired. We are fifty-two that
will cut off our noses to spite our
face and we will destroy the Sun to
see the stars more clearly. They
want to talk about us like a joke,
let's give them something to laugh
about.
EXT. MILE HIGH STADIUM - NIGHT
A series of the most explosive, hard-hitting, flag drawing
defensive plays you could imagine. Pieces of helmet fly
everywhere. Jerseys are covered in mud. The rain is heavy.
EXT. MILE HIGH STADIUM - PARKING LOT - NIGHT
The final score is Broncos 9 - Jets 3
Broncos fans, wet and cold, walk out to their cars. The
elements aren't so bad after a tough win like that.
INT. PRESS CONFERENCE - NEW YORK JETS - LATER
Coach Apicella takes questions at the podium. His hair is wet
from the rain.
REPORTER (O.S)
Coach Apicella, tough loss tonight.
Do you think your team would have
faired better if Oatmeal Davis was
available?
RICK APICELLA
Not really. We go into every game
knowing that we can win, regardless
of one person. Next question.
MIKE DELILO
Coach Apicella, how are contract
negotiations going with Moses
Gadson? Last we heard, Dale Rosen
had offered an early round pick for
him. Do you think Moses will put on
the helmet before season's end?
76.
RICK APICELLA
We have the utmost faith that
management, and Dick in particular,
will get a deal done. He would
probably be here telling you this
right now if he weren't working on
a deal as we speak.
INT. JETS' FACILITY - GYMNASIUM - SAME TIME
A BASKETBALL clangs off an orange rim and bounces to the side
of an empty gymnasium. Dick, wearing a BLACK FLAG SHIRT and
walks over and picks it up. His arms and his legs, for the
first time exposed to us, are covered in tattoos.
He takes a jumper and misses.
MATT REICHARD
You busy?
Matt walks in through an open door.
DICK JACOBS
Is the game over?
The ball rolls over to him and he chest passes it back to
Dick.
MATT REICHARD
Yeah. Nine to six.
DICK JACOBS
That sounds like a good score.
MATT REICHARD
Their kicker nailed a field goal
through the wind with fifty-three
seconds left. We'll get the win
back in Dallas.
He takes another shot. It bricks off the backboard.
DICK JACOBS
I'll be up in a second.
Matt leaves and Dick picks up the ball and takes another
shot. It misses and ricochets all the way across the court.
He chases the ball, but stops when he sees who got his
rebound.
MOSES GADSON
Think fast.
77.
He passes Dick the ball with some English on it and Dick
doesn't make a play on it. He lets it bounce and hit against
the wall.
DICK JACOBS
How'd you get in here?
MOSES GADSON
I still have my pass card. Contrary
to popular belief I'm still on this
team.
DICK JACOBS
I'm not the one you need to remind
of that.
MOSES GADSON
That was a big win, wasn't it?
DICK JACOBS
I wouldn't know. I didn't watch.
When I heard that it was going to
rain I figured we weren't going to
be playing football, so I turned
the other eye and let them scrum it
out in the mud. They don't need me
for that. How's Florida? How's the
wife?
MOSES GADSON
Good. Pregnant.
DICK JACOBS
Mazel Tov. How along is she?
MOSES GADSON
Five months. Baby's supposed to
come mid-January.
DICK JACOBS
My first daughter was born in
January. Have fun competing with
Christmas.
MOSES GADSON
I didn't know you had children.
DICK JACOBS
I try to keep work and my personal
life separate. It tends to make
things a lot easier when you don't
take these things personal. It can
lead to misunderstandings.
78.
He walks over to the ball and dribbles it to the top of the
key. He takes a shot. Moses walks over and gets his rebound.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
You didn't come here to accept our
offer, did you? Because Priya made
it abundantly clear you don't enjoy
my company.
MOSES GADSON
I'm not sure why I came. I just
felt restless. It's been nine years
since I've had nothing to do on a
Sunday in September. I think I just
needed to go for a walk.
DICK JACOBS
Florham Park's a pretty long walk
from Miami.
MOSES GADSON
It's actually a lot further. I'm
heading up to Boston. I'm going to
be Dale Rosen's guest at the Monday
night game tomorrow.
DICK JACOBS
You know just what to say to hurt
me.
Moses passes him the ball and Dick, with as much force as he
can, passes it back. Moses catches it like its nothing.
MOSES GADSON
I came here to formally ask you to
trade me to the Patriots. Priya
said I should make my intentions
known. I'll be there come next year
anyway, at least this way the Jets
will get something out of this.
DICK JACOBS
I don't care. I don't do business
with them. You've been here long
enough to know we don't fraternize
with the enemy.
MOSES GADSON
Dick, they're not the enemy.
They're a team up north with a
different color jersey who we play
twice a year. They're our
competition.
79.
DICK JACOBS
You tell that to our fans. You try
to tell them that I traded their
favorite player to the enemy. And
it'll be my name in the gutter.
I'll be the general who gave the
compass to the biggest turncoat in
New York Football history.
Moses lightly tosses him the ball back and heads for the
door, but turns back when Dick says:
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
There's only two kinds of wives in
the NFL. Great ones, and ex ones.
You take good care of her and you
take good care of that baby. Maybe
name it after me?
MOSES GADSON
I don't think Dick Gadson flows as
well as you might think.
DICK JACOBS
You know my name is Richard, right?
Moses smiles and walks out of the gym. Dick shoots the ball
and this time it goes in, but there's no one there to see it.
INT. DALLAS COWBOY'S STADIUM - FIELD - DAY
The football flies through the air and is caught by Dallas'
TIGHT END. He rumbles for a few yards after the catch and is
then dragged down from behind.
A ref blows his whistle and throws a flag.
INT. DALLAS COWBOY'S STADIUM - BOX - SAME TIME
CHYRON READS: Week Seven - Jets at Cowboys
Vega and Dick sit in the private box watching the game.
Dick's face is pressed on the window, his fists are balled,
and he looks ready to kill someone. Vega, on the other hand,
looks like he's barely even present.
DICK JACOBS
You've gotta be shitting me! Horse
collar? He got him under the
shoulder pad.
80.
NICK VEGA
Sit down, Dick. You're ruining the
mood.
DICK JACOBS
The zebras are ruining the mood.
How are we supposed to win this if
they keep thinking we're playing
the other football?
Dick walks back to his seat.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
They have it out for us. These War
of Northern Aggression believing
hooligans do this every time we
come down South. They buy the refs
and they buy the game.
NICK VEGA
You sound like a crazy person.
DICK JACOBS
I am a crazy person, Nick. God.
From the box we see Dallas' QB throw a perfect strike to the
same Tight End in the end zone. The Ref signals Touchdown.
The scoreboard shows Dallas 21, Jets 10.
There's only a minute left to play.
NICK VEGA
This makes three games in a row,
Dick. This isn't acceptable with
how much money we spent during the
off-season.
DICK JACOBS
We're still 5-3. That's good enough
for second in the division.
NICK VEGA
Yeah, but Buffalo is right there.
If we can't score some points,
we're going to miss the playoffs.
DICK JACOBS
You think I planned on my two best
players sitting at home when I
spent all that money on our
defense? Don't blame me. There's
nothing I can do.
81.
NICK VEGA
Yes there is.
DICK JACOBS
Nick, don't say it.
NICK VEGA
The trade deadline is next week. I
didn't become a rich man by putting
hundred-dollar bills in my
mattress.
DICK JACOBS
No, you became a rich man because
your father died and left you a
fortune.
NICK VEGA
I don't care how much of Dale
Rosen's shit you have to eat. Get
it done. Get it done fast and get
it done quick and get it done
right.
EXT. ITALIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT
A classy looking Italian Restaurant on the border of Little
Italy and Chinatown.
INT. ITALIAN RESTAURANT
In the back of the small, bustling restaurant is an even
tinier room with a sign on the door that reads: Don't Bother.
Behind the door, Dale, Moses, Priya, and a NOTARY PUBLIC sit
around a small, round table. There's a stack of papers in
front of them that are already signed. They're waiting for
Dick to show.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
This is so like him. He's such a
shit heel.
MOSES GADSON
Do you think he's going to no-show
again?
DALE ROSEN
Unlikely. Dick Jacobs might be a
petulant asshole, but he is a
businessman.
(MORE)
82.
DALE ROSEN (CONTD)
This is too good a business deal to
pass up. Oh, there he is.
He points outside the window to where MATT'S CAR tries to
parallel park at a spot. After way too many tries it does.
They look away from the window and wait for Dick to make his
entrance.
The door opens.
MATT REICHARD
Sorry I'm late. I had a parking
problem.
DALE ROSEN
So you did. Where's your boss.
MATT REICHARD
Dick couldn't make it today. He
said he had a family emergency and
he sends his regards.
Priya looks to Dale.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
Is he allowed to do this? I feel
like this can't happen this way.
DALE ROSEN
It's fine, it's fine. Your name is
Matt, right? Take a seat Matt. Have
some bread. The spicy olive oil
here is delicious.
Matt takes a seat and does just that. When he bites into the
bread his eyes light up as if he's never eaten food before.
MATT REICHARD
It is delicious!
Dale looks to the Nortary and he passes Matt the necessary
papers.
PRIYA SHIVPRISHAD
We've already signed everything and
notarized it on our end. We're just
waiting on you.
Matt stuffs some more bread in his mouth and takes out a NEW
YORK JETS PEN. He reads over the paper.
83.
MATT REICHARD
Alright, I guess we're good to go.
But before I sign anything, Dick
wanted me to say something.
He points to each person in the room as he mentions them.
Fuck you, Priya. Fuck you, Mo. Fuck
you, Dale. And if there's a Notary,
fuck you. Sorry. He told me I
needed to say that.
Matt signs the papers and passes them to the Notary, who
quickly stamps them. He then puts both party's papers in a
folder.
NOTARY PUBLIC
The transaction is complete. I'll
send this to team headquarters
immediately. The New York Jets have
traded Moses Gadson to the New
England Patriots for a first round
pick and fifth round pick in the
2014 NFL Draft.
DALE ROSEN
Always a flair for the dramatic
with this one. Well, I'm not
hungry. You three have fun. Enjoy
dinner. Moses, call me as soon as
you touch down in Boston. We've got
a lot to do.
Dale gets up and walks out of the restaurant through a BACK
DOOR.
EXT. ITALIAN RESTAURANT - CONTINUOUS
Dale walks through the foot traffic and up to Matt's Car. He
knocks on the passenger side window and Dick rolls down the
window.
DICK JACOBS
I don't even want to look at you
right now.
DALE ROSEN
You won't have to. From now on
you'll be looking at the back of
Moses' head.
Dick rolls up the window.
84.
EXT. WEEKS 8-10 SEQUENCE
The next few weeks pass by in a flash. The Patriots, with
Moses Gadson as their focal point, reel off three wins in a
row. The Jets though, they limp into week eleven on a five
game losing streak. They just can't score points.
At the close of week ten a graphic shows that the Patriots
are 7-3, the Jets are 5-5, and the Bills, surprisingly, are
6-4.
EXT. DICK'S HOME - MORNING
Dick's house is in a comfortable, yet not mansion level part
of Long Island. His car is parked in the driveway next to a
VAN.
INT. DICK'S HOME - BEDROOM
Dick stands in his bedroom looking at suits. One of the suits
is a classic gray and the other is purely black. He frets
over the choice way more than he ever did a draft pick.
DICK JACOBS
Hey Monica, what do you think? The
grey one or the murdered out one?
Attached to Dick's bedroom is a bathroom and his wife is in
the shower. Only her blurry silhouette is visible.
MONICA JACOBS
I don't care.
DICK JACOBS
I wore the black one against the
Steelers last year so it's got some
mojo on it, but it looks too much
like something I'd be buried in.
MONICA JACOBS
Then wear the gray one. It doesn't
matter anyway. No one's going to be
looking at you.
Decisions, decisions...
INT./EXT. BUS - MOVING - AFTERNOON
Looks like he went with the gray one.
85.
Dick sits next to Matty on the bus. Everyone is focused and
sharp and studying their playbooks--save for Oatmeal , who
naps with his mouth open.
EXT. METLIFE STADIUM - AFTERNOON
The bus rolls into the parking lot. The players get out and
are greeted by fans and the press. They high five ans sign
autographs as they walk.
INT. METLIFE STADIUM - LOCKER ROOM
The team gets taped up. Players go through their pregame
rituals. The noise from Metlife is audible from the bowels of
the stadium.
INT. MET LIFE STADIUM - OWNER'S BOX
Nick Vega, cigar in hand, looks over the wild green field.
The game is about to start. Dick walks in through the back of
the box and takes a seat in front of the window.
DICK JACOBS
Let's do this.
A whistle is blown down on the field and the crowd chants:
CROWD
J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets!
The game plays out in super speed and the only noticeable
marker of progress is Dick's body language.
He stomps his feet when they hit an early deficit. He raises
his hands in triumph when they catch up. He slumps down in
his chair when they lose the lead. He slumps down more when
they lose it even more.
He's not even visible on the chair when the game is over. In
the space where his figure used to be is the scoreboard.
It reads: Jets 10, Patriots 28.
On the field the teams shake hands.
INT. PRESS CONFERENCE - LATER
Oatmeal Davis and a few other players sit at a table during
the players interview portion of the post game conference. He
wishes he were anywhere but there.
86.
REPORTER
Oatmeal, tough game out there. What
do you think you could have done
differently to come out with a W?
OATMEAL DAVIS
I don't know. Nothing personally. I
thought I pulled my weight. You
ain't gonna have a better game than
120 yards and a score. Maybe if I
played defense...
REPORTER
So are you putting this loss
squarely on the shoulders of your
defense?
OATMEAL DAVIS
Nah man, those guys tried hard. If
I'm being honest, this is on the
staff. We came to play, but they
didn't. Their heads been other
places.
REPORTER
Chad, as defensive captain, why do
you think you were unable to stop
Moses Gadson did he--
Oatmeal leans in towards his microphone.
OATMEAL DAVIS
Hey, I ain't done yet. I got
something to say. I came to this
team because I thought we were
gonna win some games. Now what are
we? 5-6? Man, I ain't never been 5-
6 before. I dont care how much
these guys are paying me. I aint
gon take part of no losing team. I
was the MVP of the Superbowl a year
ago. It's *bleeping* shameful is
what it is.
He looks offstage to where Dick and Coach Apicella are
standing.
He smiles a toothy, pompous grin.
INT. JET'S FACILITY - DICK'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Dick has a mostly empty bottle of wine on his desk. His shirt
is untucked and his face is red. He watches the television.
87.
A smiling Oatmeal Davis is the graphic on the right side of
the screen.
MARK BELLANO
As the Jets enter there BYE they
have suspended Wide Receiver
Oatmeal Davis indefinitely for the
remarks he made.
The graphic at the bottom of the screen reads: Oatmeal Out In
NY.
FLIP BAYLOR
I told you all along Jonathan B.,
these Jets are frauds. Absolute
frauds.
JONATHAN B. JOHNSON
It's not enough for them to lose
six in a row, but they've just lost
their two best players in the
process.
FLIP BAYLOR
I thought, for maybe a minute, that
trading Moses Gadson would give the
team the spark they needed, but
boy, why I wrong.
JONATHAN B. JOHNSON
You should never be surprised at
the ineptitude of this franchise,
Flip.
INT. JETS' FACILITY - DICK'S OFFICE
A remote flies through Jonathan's head and sticks there.
Having juts thrown the controller, Dick stands in the middle
of his office before dropping to his knees.
END OF ACT II
88.
ACT III
INT. JETS' FACILITY - DICK'S OFFICE - DAY
CHYRON READS: BYE WEEK SUNDAY
Dick sits on his couch reading FALCONER by John Cheever .
He's wearing a suit, but it's not tucked in and it hasn't
been washed. Matt walks in and looks at his boos.
MATT REICHARD
This is probably the first time
I've ever seen you read something
that wasn't football.
DICK JACOBS
What can I say? I'm a man of
refined taste and virtue. I'm
entitled to a day off now and then.
MATT REICHARD
I'm surprised you're reading that.
I'f I'm not wrong Cheever was from
New England.
Dick looks at the paperback book and the rips if in half and
throws it in the garbage. He shakes his head at Matt.
Janine knocks on the door and then opens it. She's carrying a
SUIT BAG.
JANINE BARKLEY
Dick, your suit's just been
delivered. How much do you want me
to tip the guy?
DICK JACOBS
You tip those guys? I've never
tipped them before.
JANINE BARKLEY
You have to give them something.
DICK JACOBS
I don't know. Get him tickets to
the Texans game next week. He can
probably scalp it for like, five
bucks. That's about what they're
worth.
He walks over to her and takes the bag and she closes the
door behind her when she leaves. Dick takes the suit out.
89.
MATT REICHARD
Wow, that's a beauty. What's the
occasion?
DICK JACOBS
My wife's sister is getting married
tonight. I wanted to look, how do
they put it? Dope as fuck.
MATT REICHARD
You have a wife?
DICK JACOBS
Seventeen years.
Dick raises his hand to show off his wedding band, but his
finger is naked.
MATT REICHARD
But you don't have a ring on.
DICK JACOBS
I was saving the finger real estate
for a bigger one. One that I
actually wanted.
They stand there in the room not knowing what to talk about.
If it's not football these two are hopeless.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
You doing anything tonight?
MATT REICHARD
No.
DICK JACOBS
You got a suit that you can put on
that doesn't look like garbage?
INT. WEDDING CEREMONY - NIGHT
The PRIEST read the vows to the BRIDE and the GROOM.
Matt watches in a pew next to Dick. Next to Dick is his wife,
MONICA JACOBS (44), a beautiful, African-American woman.
She's next to their two daughters, EVELYN JACOBS (17) and
OLIVE JACOBS (12).
Dick and Matt are the only people at the wedding who aren't
black.
90.
PRIEST
And do you, take this woman to be
your lawful wedded wife?
GROOM
I do.
PRIEST
Then you may now kiss the bride.
They kiss and everyone stands and claps. Dick holds Monica's
hand and Matt sees that he has tears in his eyes.
INT. WEDDING RECEPTION - LATER
Monica dances with her daughters on the dance floor. Everyone
is having a great time and football is the furthest things
from everyone's mind...except for Dick and Matt. They watch
the Patriots take on the Bills on a TV above the bar.
MATT REICHARD
This isn't what I expected when you
said we were going to go to your
wife's sisters wedding.
DICK JACOBS
If I had heard that twenty years
ago, I wouldn't have though so
either.
Matt looks around.
MATT REICHARD
There sure are a lot of women
around. Must be like, 70/30 women.
DICK JACOBS
Try 80/20. If there's one thing you
should know about me is that I'm
always surrounded by women. Raised
by my mother. Have four sisters.
Have two daughters. My wife has
three sisters. There's a lot of
estrogen in my life. The Jacobs-
Patton clan has a lotta ladies in
it.
MATT REICHARD
I never would have guessed.
91.
DICK JACOBS
Being raised and surrounded by
women has made me great at my
job.Yeah. Ive got a natural
ability to tell men what to
do.Being raised and surrounded by
women has made me great at my job.
Yeah. Ive got a natural ability to
tell men what to do.
They watch the screen and Moses rattles of a decent run just
passed the two minute warning. The Patriots are up 17-14.
MATT REICHARD
I guess that's that. I never would
have figured the Bills would be
having a year like this. One game
out of first. They should be proud.
DICK JACOBS
Yeah, they've certainly deserve a
winning season, but of course the
Pats come and take a dump on their
playoff chances too. You should go
dance.
MATT REICHARD
I'm not much of a dancer.
DICK JACOBS
Of course you're not. You're a nice
young white boy in a suit--I'm sure
a woman here would love to break
you in half tonight.
He looks around the room and spies a THICK WOMAN and points
to her, and the points to Matt, signaling that he wants to
dance with her. She rushes over to him and grabs him by the
hand and they head to the floor.
Matt is, as expected, the worst dancer there's ever been.
Holding her shoes, Monica walks up to the bar and gets the
attention of a pretty BARTENDER (25).
MONICA JACOBS
Hey, can I get a Vodka 7? Thanks.
The Bartender turns and fashions the drink, then passes it to
her. The two minute warning ends and Moses takes another hand
off for a meager gain.
92.
BARTENDER
It's a real shame. The Bills
deserved to win this game. They
outplayed them.
MONICA JACOBS
Outplaying them has nothing to do
with it. You don't always get what
you deserve.
BARTENDER
Yeah, but this game isn't as close
as the score looks.
MONICA JACOBS
If they score again, no one will
care.
Dick gives her a look.
MONICA JACOBS (CONTD)
What? No one says I can't talk
about football around you.
Dick smiles then looks at the screen. Unlike all the previous
plays, Moses lines up further in the backfield.
DICK JACOBS
Wait, what's he doing? They're
going to run it out of the I-Form?
These runs have all been tosses.
Wait. Matty!
His scream catches the attention of Matt who is enjoying his
position as the Prince of Swing.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
They're running a play action!
They're faking the run!
Matt stops dancing and looks at the screen. He slowly walks
towards the bar. All four of them wait for the ball to be
hikes and when it does, the QB fakes the hand off to Moses
and a pocket forms around him...
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
If we know, then they know.
...and he throws it over the middle and the pass is
INTERCEPTED.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
Yes!
93.
The LINEBACKER who caught the ball takes it up the right
sideline and is tackled at the Patriots three yard line. The
stadium, and those watching at the wedding, are drunk with
excitement.
With three seconds to play the Bills line up at the GOAL
LINE.
MONICA JACOBS
Look for a boot. Look for a boot.
DICK JACOBS
No, they'll be seeing that coming.
MONICA JACOBS
Look for a boot!
The Bills QB takes the snap and fakes right, then runs left.
MONICA JACOBS (CONTD)
It's a boot!
He's met with literally no opposition as he walks into the
end zone and spikes the ball just as time expires. The fans
in Ralph Wilson Stadium go insane.
DICK JACOBS
Yes! Bartender, I don't care how
big this wedding is. Next round is
on me!
BARTENDER
This is an open bar.
DICK JACOBS
Then the next ten rounds are on me!
Monica, I'm sorry, but I need to--
MONICA JACOBS
I know, I know. You can go. It's
amazing I got you here in the first
place.
He kisses her and turns to Matt.
DICK JACOBS
Matty, go give that lovely girl
your number and meet me in the
parking lot. We've got a season to
save.
MATT REICHARD
What? Our seasons over. We're out
of the playoffs.
94.
DICK JACOBS
Obviously, you idiot. But I'm not
talking about our season.
He points to the screen where all the city of Buffalo
celebrates.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
The enemy of my enemy is my friend,
and right now Buffalo is the only
one we have!
EXT. RICK'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Dick, still wearing his suit from the wedding, pounds of
Coach Apicella's door. When Rick opens it, he's wearing a
FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE shirt.
RICK APICELLA
Dick, what are you doing here? It's
past midnight.
DICK JACOBS
That's the worst shirt I've ever
seen, but I don't care. Get your
keys, we've got work to do.
RICK APICELLA
What are you talking about? We
don't have practice until Tuesday.
It's the BYE.
DICK JACOBS
Did you see Patriots game before?
RICK APICELLA
Yeah, so what?
DICK JACOBS
They lost, Rick. They lost. That
means they're only one game up in
the division. They can lose the
division!
RICK APICELLA
So what? I don't care. Not right
now I don't. Come talk to me on
Tuesday.
DICK JACOBS
And that draft pick they gave us
goes from a late round pick to a
mid rounder.
(MORE)
95.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
That's drafting need to drafting
BPA right there.
RICK APICELLA
Dick, that doesn't change anything.
I don't care right now. There's
nothing you can say that'll change
my mind. I'm going to bed.
DICK JACOBS
If you come with me you can scream
at Oatmeal.
RICK APICELLA
I'll put on a sweater, this shirt
is ridiculous.
EXT. NEW JERSEY STRIP CLUB - AFTERNOON
Rick parks his car outside of a windowless New Jersey STRIP
CLUB. The parking lot is filled to the brim with clunkers
and, also, Oatmeal Davis' LAMBORGHINI.
INT. LONG ISLAND STRIP CLUB - CONTINUOUS
A single-dad heaven. Super fake strippers work the pole.
Drunks have their heads down on the bar. Oatmeal sits at a
round table near the center with his entourage.
Rick walks to Oatmeal's table.
RICK APICELLA
We've gotta talk.
OATMEAL DAVIS
What the hell are you doing here?
RICK APICELLA
Talking. You want to play or you
want me to put you on the IR for
the rest of the year?
OATMEAL DAVIS
Man, just talk to Seth. He's the
one that handles my business shit.
RICK APICELLA
I'm not talking to Seth. I'm
talking to you. You either ask your
cronies to step aside or I'll stop
funding their joyride they call a
life.
96.
OATMEAL DAVIS
Mother fucker, what'd you say to
me?
DICK JACOBS
It's true, Oatmeal. I'll go to my
office, I'll sign what I need to
sign, and I'll mother fuck you
where you stand. So watch your
language when you talk to me.
Oatmeal looks at his entourage and waves them off. They leave
the two of them alone.
OATMEAL DAVIS
You know this is excessive, right?
Ya'll don't got to threaten to cut
me.
RICK APICELLA
If you don't grow up, I wont' have
to. I'll just make you inactive.
I'll pay you this one year and I'll
cut you next year. You'll waste a
year, put up a goose egg of a stat
line and hit free agency looking
like an even bigger shit heel than
you are. But I don't want to do
that.
OATMEAL DAVIS
Then why are you here?
RICK APICELLA
Because I want to win.
OATMEAL DAVIS
Then why'd you bench me?
RICK APICELLA
Because up til' now you've been
worthless.I don't care about the
headlines you draw or the money you
bring in. I didn't want you on
this team to begin with and I don't
want you now. But if you're want
stands in the way of us losing out
and us keeping the Patriots out of
the playoffs, then I'll deal and
make it work.
Oatmeal signals for a WAITRESS to bring him a drink and when
she does, Rick takes it and drinks it himself.
97.
Be polite. Tip the lady.
He reaches into his pocket and gives her a few singles.
This is the one compliment I'll
give you. When you want to be,
you're good. When you go hard,
you're the best.
OATMEAL DAVIS
I always go hard.
RICK APICELLA
If you went hard all the time you
wouldn't be twenty six and looking
like a one year rental. I don't
care if you catch a hundred balls
or ten, I want to see effort. I
want to see the effort you showed
in the Superbowl. We could have
played that game ten more times and
we'd have lost every one. That's
how good you were out there. Be
that Oatmeal.
Oatmeal's leg shakes under the table and Rick notices.
If that Oatmeal shows up in Houston
next week you'll be worth the
headache of the media calling us
Indian givers.If that guy shows up
the rest of the season, you'll be
back come the summer and not
pressing your luck in Toronto
playing for the Argonauts for the
Grey Cup.f not, I'm going to eat a
sandwich, take some asprin, take a
nap, and you'll be done here.
Headache over. You'll be done
period. You understand?
He licks his lips and nods.
Oh, and also you're not calling me
that anymore. I'm Coach Apicella.
Now give me your keys. Find a ride
back. I'm not having you drive
home.
98.
Oatmeal gives him a look, but sees that Rick is totally
serious. He reaches into his back pocket and gives him the
keys to his truck.
Don't think that just because
you're who you are and I'm who I
am, that I don't understand you. I
know what it's like to be young and
scared.
Rick walks out the door and the light from the outside world
shoots into the windowless cavern that is the strip club.
CUT TO:
WEEK 13-16 SEQUENCE
Something within Coach Apicella's tough love must have made a
mark, because Oatmeal is playing like a man possessed.
CHYRON READS: Week 13- Texans at Jets.
Oatmeal fields a punt around his own twenty yard line and
jukes three men out of their shoes on the way for a TD.
CHYRON READS: Jets 28 - Texans 7
INT. LUCAS OIL STADIUM - NIGHT
CHYRON READS: Week 14 - Jets at Colts
The Jets QB scrambles right and fires a perfect strike to a
perfectly covered Oatmeal. Oatmeal jumps out of the building
and catches the ball at it's highest point for another score.
CHYRON READS: Jets 26 - Colts 21
EXT. SUNLIFE STADIUM - DAY
CHYRON READS: Week 15 - Jets at Dolphins
The Jets new RUNNING BACK takes a toss out right and beats a
DOLPHINS DEFENSIVE END to the corner. He's met by a
CORNERBACK, but before a tackle can be made, Oatmeal
absolutely pancakes the defender into oblivion.
Touchdown Jets.
99.
CHYRON READS: Jets 21 - Dolphins 0
After his block, Oatmeal runs to the sideline where Coach
Apicella gives him a slap on the ass. That's how he teaches
it in practice.
Chyron Reads: Week 16 - Raiders at Jets
There's snow everywhere. The players are freezing. The score
is three to three. The RAIDERS QB is swarmed by the opposing
line and fumbles the ball. The Jets pick it up and rattle
into the end zone.
Final Score: Jets 10 - Raiders 3
The Jets players through snowballs at each other and make
angels in the grass. As they run through the tunnel their
fans cheer their lungs off -- they've found new life.
END SEQUENCE
INT./EXT. AIRPLANE - DAY
The players all sleep in their seats. Dick reads FRANNY AND
ZOOEY by JD Salinger. He has a smile on his face. The FLIGHT
ATTENDANT walks by and Dick smiles at her.
EXT. LOGAN AIRPORT - DAY
The plane sets down at a LOGAN AIRPORT TERMINAL.
INT./EXT. BUS - MOVING - EVENING
The Jet's TEAM BUS makes it's way towards Gillette Stadium.
As they get closer to the stadium, Patriots fans shout
obscenities at the team and throw drinks and trash.
DICK JACOBS
They're just pissed because their
pizza tastes like garbage.
As the team approaches Gillette a huge BANNER of Moses Gadson
hangs on the entrance, as if taunting Dick and his team.
CHYRON READS: Week 17 - Jets at Patriots
100.
EXT. GILLETTE STADIUM - BROADCAST BOOTH - NIGHT
IAN EAGLE and DAN FOUTS speak directly into the camera during
the CBS PREGAME SHOW.
DAN FOUTS
We're live from Foxboro as the 9-6
Jets take on the 10-5 Pats. The
Patriots won the previous meeting
in decisive fashion.
IAN EAGLE
But since then it's been a
different story entirely. The Jets,
on the back of their star Wide
Receiver, Oatmeal Davis, have won
their last five games. The Patriots
have gone a pedestrian 2-3 since
losing a heart breaker in Buffalo.
DAN FOUTS
And in a lot of ways that was the
turning point in their season. As
the records currently stand, the
Patriots are atop the division, but
are tied with Buffalo in overall
record.
IAN EAGLE
But due to their win earlier in the
season, the Bills have the
tiebreaker over the Patriots. And
as the Bills made easy work out of
Miami earlier in the day, the
Patriots control their own face.
DAN FOUTS
Win and they're in. Division
Champions once again. Lose, and
well, they'll be watching Buffalo
at home.
IAN EAGLE
A game that was first assumed an
after thought has now become the
most pivotal game in the season for
the AFC East.
INT. GILLETTE STADIUM - LOCKER ROOM
The Jets are huddled Coach Apicella. He breathes deeply and
looks around the room. Every man in their is wearing green
and every man in there shares one heart and one soul.
101.
Rick clears his throat.
RICK APICELLA
I know you all expect me to get you
ready tonight, but the world...they
don't want to come. I've already
said a lot of the and I've already
screamed a lot of them.
He looks at Oatmeal.
So I'm not going to say anything.
You know how I feel about these
guys and you know what I want to
see out there. Make that happen. I
know you will. Now I'll clear the
stage for someone who never gets
tired of talking.
Rick steps out of the circle and Dick steps in. He's wearing
his black on black suit. He's got on black sunglasses. He's
all business.
DICK JACOBS
Wow, guys. Week 17. Doesn't it feel
like it was just yesterday that we
were getting bent over at home. But
that was five weeks ago. A lot has
happened in five weeks.
He takes his sunglasses off and puts them into his pocket.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
In the last five weeks we've
welcome a new year, we've won five
games, I've gained five pounds,
Oatmeal learned how to act like a
god damn adult.
They laugh.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
But my point is that five weeks is
a long time. You can be a new man
in five weeks. A different man. You
can die five million deaths and be
reborn five million times.
OATMEAL DAVIS
What the fuck does that mean?
DICK JACOBS
Shut up Odrick!
102.
More laughter.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
In this 17th week of the season you
are a Jet. You stand on foreign
soil. And you're hear to do what
the Jets do best. You're here to
piss off the Patriots.
They laugh and clap and smile. That was what they needed to
hear.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
Know that I a prouder of all of you
than you can know. Without you to
cash my checks, I'd be a poor fat
son of a bitch instead of a fat
upper-middle class son of a bitch.
I'd be nothing. It's because of you
all that I have a ticket to run my
mouth. It's because of you that I'm
proud to live here. It's because of
you that I want to win. Now one
last time for the 2014 season. Jets
on three. J-E-T-S!
TEAM
Jets! Jets! Jets!
EXT. GILLETTE STADIUM - FIELD - NIGHT
The opposing teams line up on the their sidelines during the
National Anthem. Dick stands next to Coach Apicella and they
stare across the field at Dale and Moses. They make eye
contact.
Dick's hand covers his heart and in that position he gives
his former mentor and his former star the middle finger.
SINGER
And the home of the brave!
The BLUE ANGELS fly above the stadium and cover the sky in
streaks.
DALE ROSEN
(mouthing)
Fuck the Jets.
103.
DICK JACOBS
(mouthing back)
I love you too.
CUT TO:
CHYRON READS: First Quarter
Moses spends most of the quarter getting stuffed at the line
of scrimmage. The Jets' defense is stout and mean and
furious. They look to be impenetrable until Moses breaks a
tackle and rumbles into the end zone.
SCOREBOARD READS: Patriots 7 - Jets 0.
A cannon fires in the stadium.
CHYRON READS: Second Quarter
Oatmeal is lined up left. He's got double coverage and a spy
in the secondary. The Jets QB pump fakes and chucks the ball
deep to the receiver opposite Oatmeal.
IAN EAGLE (O.S)
And he's open and he comes down
with it! Fifteen. Ten. Five.
Touchdown!
He crosses the goal line and hands the ball to the ref.
SCOREBOARD READS: Patriots 17 - Jets 7
Coach Apicella raises an eyebrow across the field to Dale.
CHYRON READS: Third Quarter
The Jets QB hands it off to the Running Back who passes it
back to him.
DAN FOUTS (O.S)
It's a flea flicker!
He chucks the ball deep to Oatmeal who is wide open in the
end zone.
SCOREBOARD READS: Patriots 17 - Jets 14
During his touchdown celebration Oatmeal pretends to give
birth to the football. He's flagged for unsportsmanlike
conduct, but no one on the Jets cares. This is a game again.
CHYRON READS: Fourth Quarter
104.
DAN FOUTS (O.S) (CONTD)
The Patriots are driving with three
minutes to play. And while they
contained him in the first half,
the Jets cannot stop Moses Gadson.
Moses breaks big run after big run.
IAN EAGLE (O.S)
At this point in the game the point
isn't to score, but to keep the
clock moving. The clock is the
enemy. Tick tock. Tick tock.
On second and six, Moses is stopped a yard short of the first
down. The QB rushes the team back to the line of scrimmage.
Moses lines up in the I-FORMATION, like he did against
Buffalo at the end.
On the sideline, Matt stands next to Dick.
MATT REICHARD
There's the I-Form. Is it going to
be a play action?
DICK JACOBS
No. Straight ahead run. They know
that we saw them do it in Buffalo.
They're trying to outsmart us.
They're trying the long con.
The ball is hiked and it's a run up the middle. Moses is
swallowed up in the back field and is absolutely leveled. The
Jets sideline celebrates. The Patriots bring out their punt
team.
IAN EAGLE (O.S)
Oatmeal is back to return it. The
Kick is up. He catches it at the
thirty, takes it to the forty, to
midfield, to the forty and he's
pushed out of bounds.
Oatmeal flips the ball to the referee and he and the offense
run out to the field. Apicella takes the MICROPHONE in his
headset and brings it close to his lips.
RICK APICELLA
Let's give em' Z-double slant left.
Tell Oatmeal to get ready for a
ride.
The offense breaks the huddle. There's fifteen seconds left
on the clock.
105.
The QB snaps it and sends one to Oatmeal over the middle.
Instead of letting it fly over his head, he makes an
incredible leaping catch.
He comes down with it, but gets spun around and crushed. The
Jets take a time out. Oatmeal limps off the field and into
the arms of Coach Apicella.
They watch as the KICKER nails an easy one through the
uprights as time expires.
CHYRON READS: Overtime
Oatmeal and Moses are the opposing captains during the coin
toss. They both have their helmets off. The referee turns to
Oatmeal.
REFEREE
Heads or tails?
OATMEAL DAVIS
Heads.
REFEREE
The visiting team has chosen heads.
The ref flips the coin.
REFEREE (CONTD)
It is heads. The visiting team has
won the toss. What do you choose to
do? Kick or receive.
OATMEAL DAVIS
Let's kick it, baby.
REFEREE
The visiting team has chosen to
kick. The overtime rules are as
follows. The game will end when a
touchdown is scored. If the
receiving team kicks a field goal
on their opening drive, the
defending team will receive the
ball and have their own chance to
score. Gentleman, good luck.
The Jets kicking team lines up. Moses stands in his end zone
awaiting the kick. There's a silence and an electricity in
the air.
IAN EAGLE (O.S)
And the kick is up. Moses Gadson
takes it out of the end zone.
(MORE)
106.
IAN EAGLE (O.S) (CONTD)
He breaks a tackle, and another,
and another!
DAN FOUTS (O.S)
Good lord he might be free. He
might be free!
He's out in open space with only clear pastures ahead of him.
But from out of nowhere, Oatmeal Davis, whose on kick
coverage chases him.
DAN FOUTS (O.S) (CONTD)
And from out of nowhere, here comes
Oatmeal Davis. Fifteen, ten, five,
and Gadson is tacked down at the
three.
IAN EAGLE
Oatmeal Davis to the rescue, my
God. Where did he come from?
In a single moment the Jets sideline goes from thinking the
end was nigh to seeing the light. Rick sends out the defense
and both teams lineup in their GOAL LINE FORMATIONS.
RICK APICELLA
Alright, let's do this. First one
will be a run.
The Patriots QB hands the ball of to Moses for a gain of one.
Second and goal.
DICK JACOBS
Let's do it again. Here comes
another run.
It's a toss to Gadson and he gets two yards before getting
tripped up. Third and goal. Ball at the one. The QB hurries
the team back to the line of scrimmage so Rick won't have
enough time to call a play.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
Shit. Shit.
It's another run. Moses tries to hurdle the line, but is
stopped just an inch short of the goal line. The ball
couldn't be closer to the promised land.
IAN EAGLE
And in a totally unexpected move,
Coach Rosen keeps his offense on
the field.
107.
DAN FOUTS
He's trying to finish this game
now. I can't say I disagree. With
the momentum the Jets have, putting
the ball in their hands would be a
mistake.
Rick walks away from his staff and to as close to the field
as possible.
RICK APICELLA
Alright boys, moment of truth.
Let's do this. Knuckles in the
dirt.
The play is called and it's a play action fake. Moses
occupies a blocker and the Patriots QB lofts one to the
corner to his TE. It's a spectacular grab. TD Patriots!
God dammit. Wait!
There's a flag on the play. The referree walks over to the
center of the field.
REFEREE
Pass Interference. Offense. Fifteen
yards. Repeat fourth down.
The fans in the stadium boo. They hate the call. Dick doesn't
seem to mind though. The Patriots send out their kicking
team, but leave Moses in as the holder.
DICK JACOBS
They wouldn't. Those assholes
wouldn't, would they?
MATT REICHARD
What?
DICK JACOBS
They're faking it. They're faking
the kick. Rick! Rick!
Dick runs down the sideline, tries to catch up to his coach
before the ball is snapped, but he's too late. The ball is
snapped and it's a fake!
The kicker fakes the kick and Moses scrambles out right and
makes a run for the end zone. He goes to dive in again and
gets lost in the pile of bodies. One ref signals touchdown,
the other signals change of possession.
The fans are quiet.
108.
The refs dig through the bodies looking for the ball. When
it's unearthed the call is.
REFEREE
Jets ball.
The Jets sideline goes nuts. They jump as though they've
already won the game. Dick hugs Matt. Rick pumps his fist.
The offensive players gallop onto the field.
Rick holds Oatmeal back.
RICK APICELLA
Hey, what was that play you used on
us in the Superbowl?
OATMEAL DAVIS
Coach, I gotta get out there.
RICK APICELLA
Just tell me. I want to use it.
OATMEAL DAVIS
It was a screen. A double TE
screen. But we can't use it, if it
gets snuffed out it's a safety.
That'll be the game.
RICK APICELLA
Do you think it'll get snuffed out?
OATMEAL DAVIS
Am I the one catching the ball?
Hell no.
RICK APICELLA
Double TE Screen. Explain in the
huddle. That's our play. Now go.
Oatmeal puts on his helmet and rushes into the huddle. They
break and lineup at their own goal line. The Jets sideline is
speechless, motionless. The QB hikes the ball and throws a
QUICK SCREEN to Oatmeal.
He beats his initial defender, but is met by opposition. He's
still in the end zone. He jukes left. He jukes right.
Dick watches on and takes in the hugeness and magnificence of
the game and the stadium.
109.
INT. RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL - DRAFT - DAY
Roger Goodell walks to the podium to announce the pick. There
are hundreds of Jets fans in attendance and as usual, they
boo him as he reads from the card.
ROGER GOODELL
With the thirty second pick in the
2015 NFL Draft the Buffalo Bills
select, Larry Gardner, Linebacker,
Texas Tech.
INT. ORCHARD PARK - BUFFALO BILLS FAN SECTION - SAME TIME
Bills fans, many of which are wearing SUPERBOWL T-SHIRTS
celebrate the pick. There's a lack of desperation on their
face that only comes from finally getting the monkey off your
back and winning the big one.
INT. RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL - COMMENTARY
Mark Bellano, Keyshawn Johnson, and surprisingly, Dale Rosen
sit at the booth.
MARK BELLANO
And as expected, the Superbowl
Champion Bills go linebacker here.
At the sound of "Superbowl Champion Bills," Rosen makes a
face.
MARK BELLANO (CONTD)
Your thoughts on the pick, Coach
Rosen?
DALE ROSEN
No surprise here. Certainly a good
pick, but I feel like it's based
more on need than on talent.
KEYSHAWN JOHNSON
That's true.
MARK BELLANO
How much do you think this has to
do with the Jets selecting two blue
chip running backs in the first
round? It has to be related.
DALE ROSEN
Oh, most definitely. It's got
everything to do with it.
(MORE)
110.
DALE ROSEN (CONTD)
Believe me when I tell you that the
one thing holding the Jets back
last season was an absence of a
running game. They've addressed
that in spades.
KEYSHAWN JOHNSON
Let's not forget a team a little
bit up north that has a formidable
ground game as well.
DALE ROSEN
The New England Patriots, man, it's
weird not calling it we --
KEYSHAWN JOHNSON
You'll get through it coach. They
always do.
DALE ROSEN
The New England Patriots certainly
have an efficient run game, but was
it explosive? Not really.
MARK BELLANO
I'm sure they would have loved to
have that mid round pick back. They
could have taken one of those two
running backs to supplement Moses
Gadson.
DALE ROSEN
Oh, absolutely. But it's likely
they didn't think they would be in
the position of having a mid-round
pick in the first place. I don't
think they would have ever made
that trade to begin with if they
knew they were going to miss the
playoffs.
MARK BELLANO
Well, we'll never know for sure.
DALE ROSEN
I hate this job.
The commentary crew laughs.
INT. MOSES' HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Moses sits on the couch with his NEW BABY GIRL. She's wearing
a tiny Patriots jersey.
111.
He watches the draft coverage and snickers at the joke. The
doorbell rings and he carries his baby across the room and he
opens it.
It's Dick.
MOSES GADSON
Shouldn't you be at Jets HQ? I was
pretty sure you just made your
picks an hour ago.
DICK JACOBS
Eh', I let Matty handle that this
time. He's better at it than I am
anyway. Can I come in?
Moses gestures that it's alright and then walk in. Dick has a
black plastic bag with him. Dick looks at the size of the
house.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
Man, you sure can afford a lot out
here. This place would cost a
fortune in New York.
MOSES GADSON
This place cost a fortune here.
DICK JACOBS
Good thing you got that contract
you wanted.
They walk over to the couch and sit. Dick looks at the new
baby.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
And who is this new Gadson?
MOSES GADSON
This is Jamie.
DICK JACOBS
I thought we agreed you were going
to name her Richard.
MOSES GADSON
For some reason I couldn't sell my
wife on the idea.
DICK JACOBS
Congratulations, Mo. She's a dream,
save for that horrendous getup you
have her in.
112.
Dick looks at the monitor. Watching Coach Rosen in an analyst
capacity is foreign and strange to him.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
I don't think I'm ever gonna get
used to seeing that old bull in the
broadcast booth. I thought he was
gonna coach forever.
MOSES GADSON
So did I.
DICK JACOBS
But I guess that's where you end up
when you trade your first rounder
for an aging, diva running back and
miss the playoffs.
MOSES GADSON
I guess so.
Dick looks at a picture that Moses has on a table. It's of he
and Dick when they were both young and fresh to the league.
Dick walks over to it and picks it up.
DICK JACOBS
I wanted to come here to say that
I'm sorry. This isn't how I wanted
it to end up.
MOSES GADSON
I know it wasn't. But things
happen. This is football.
DICK JACOBS
That's mostly why I didn't want it
to happen this way. If I could
have, I would have kept you
forever. You would have coached
this team one day if I had any say
in it.
He puts the picture down and takes a Champagne bottle out of
the black bag. He puts it down on the table.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
This was the champagne we were
going to drink when you came in to
sign your deal. I'm not sure how
aging works with Champagne, but I
might still be good.
(MORE)
113.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
I mostly just wanted to get it out
of my office, but, I thought you
might want to keep it to remind you
of what could have been.
MOSES GADSON
Thanks, Dick. I'll be sure to pour
this down the drain immediately.
DICK JACOBS
How about you do us both a favor
and re-gift it to Priya. I'm not
looking forward to do business with
that nightmare again.
MOSES GADSON
What do you mean?
DICK JACOBS
Oh, I'm surprised you didn't hear.
She's representing to the Florida
State boys we picked up. Two
contacts, two headaches, just one
Priya.
MOSES GADSON
I'm flattered that you needed to
draft two players to replace me. I
take that as a compliment.
DICK JACOBS
Don't flatter yourself, we could
have drafted a bucked of dead fish
and gotten the same production.
He smiles and the two old friends shake hands.
DICK JACOBS (CONTD)
You take care of yourself, Moses.
MOSES GADSON
You too, Dick. Thanks for dropping
by. I'll see you next year.
Dick walks out and Moses closes the door. He walks back to
his couch and sits down. He looks at his daughter.
Jamie, that was the most difficult
man your daddy ever had to deal
with.
He looks at the picture on the table.
114.
I owe him a lot.
INT./EXT. DICK'S CAR - MOVING - NIGHT
Dick drives all the way from suburban Mass to Florham Park in
New Jersey. He listens to UNSATISFIED by the Replacements as
he cruises alone down the highway.
INT. JET'S FACILITY - NIGHT
The place is deserted. Chairs are overturned. Pictures are
crooked. The off season doesn't just apply to players, it
apparently goes double for janitors.
INT. DICK'S OFFICE
He walks into his office and turns on the lights. One of the
bulbs are burnt out and only the light above his desk is on.
Behind his desk, next to his awards, is a newly added, SECOND
GM OF THE YEAR AWARD.
He walks over to his desk and opens the drawer. There's a
picture of his family in it and he stands it up and puts it
up, facing him. Beneath the picture is a small black box
that's made for a ring.
He opens it and it's filled with one lone piece of ORANGE
CONFETTI that he took from when the Bears won the Superbowl.
He moves it around in his fingers and imagines what the
feeling of victory must be like.
He looks at his phone, picks it up and dials a number.
DICK JACOBS
Priya baby, sorry to wake you. Yes
I know it's late, but I figured
we'd get cookin. We've only got 134
days until football starts and I
will not be caught with my pants
down. Give me a figure. What were
you thinking?
FADE OUT.
THE END

Twenty Over Four

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