MovieChat Forums > The Replacements (2000) Discussion > I know it's a comedy but.....

I know it's a comedy but.....

posted 17 years ago by primus512
8 replies | jump to latest

The biggest problem I see is the whole Falco/Martel thing.

A. Unlike the real player's strike, for some reason the Sentinels hire a new coach. Why? The players are on strike, not the coaches.

B. So there's a new system etc. If Martel crossed, he would have one day to learn the new plays, language, audibles etc.

C. Why on earth would Falco be released? So what if Martel starts, you still need a backup QB. Martel would start and Falco would be the #2. Not at home wathcing the game on TV.

[–] Son_of_Troy 17 years ago

A. Listen closely, when McGinty and O'Neill are talking in the golf cart.

McGinty: You already have a coach
O'Neill: I'll take care of him.
McGinty: Like you took care of me.

The hiring of a new coach had nothing to do with the strike. O'Neill fired the previous coach.

B. I just assume they used the same Washington playbook.

C. Got a point there. Never know what can happen during a game.

"Believe me. I tied my own shoes once. It is an overrated experience."

[–] McFly_2015 17 years ago

Actually I think Martels lack of knowledge of the playbook used contributed to his weak performance as most of his passes were nowhere near complete.

I wish they explained better why Falco did not stay on as #2. Theres a few theories; one is that the mysterious Carr character who crossed with Martel was the regular backup QB. Another theory is that O' Neil released Falco because he knew McGuinty wanted to play him. A third theory could be that Martel demanded Falco be released when he crossed.

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[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] arholmes 17 years ago

Maybe he wasn't released and he just decided no to go to the game because he didn't want to be there and not play, because if he was released he wouldn't be allowed to play at all even if McGinty wanted him to.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] steve-pet-peeve 17 years ago

Here are your answers:

A. The coach was getting fired anyway. Nothing to do with the strike. They simply could have had Gene Hackman play the old coach and complain about the players and stay on, but the writers thought it more dramatic to bring in a different coach, someone that is sorta like the replacement players he's coaching -- a has been.

B. Not sure if there was a new system or not, but the new players only had one week to learn everything, and some of them never played more than high school ball, so if you can accept that, you can accept an all-pro learning the new scheme (if it's not just the old scheme they had anyway, which makes more sense) in a day.

C. The reason Falco was released was for dramatic value. So he can be at home, watching, the furthest away from the big game. Then, when it looks lost, he rides into the locker room in dramatic fashion and brings the team together. The writers decided on the more dramatic scenario over the more realistic one. I don't see why they couldn't just have him riding on the bench and then come in at the half. It's not quite as dramatic, but it's more realistic. But that is why they did it.

Hope I answered your questions.

[–] Scorpion559 17 years ago

This is the same movie where they bring in a linebacker and a defensive back in at running back after their starter gets hurt.

[–] jefgg 12 years ago

Wasn't Falco also the holder for kicks? I guess special teams was not a priority.

Who had been Falco's backup? There would have been at least one backup quarterback behind him. Almost all NFL teams carry three quarterbacks on their roster. And I think that was true even for replacement games.