Jared Verses Eagles fans comment ‘not the smartest’

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Los Angeles Rams rookie Jared Verse let Philadelphia Eagles fans know exactly what he thinks of them ahead of their match on Sunday.

“I hate Eagles fans,” Verses told The Los Angeles Times on Thursday. “They are so annoying. I hate Eagles fans.”

Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley means Aries‘ The talented rookie made a misstep by admitting it. Barkley was asked about Verse’s comments during a media availability Friday. The 2,000-yard rusher chuckled and suggested Vers may have poked the proverbial bear with his barb.

“Probably not the smartest thing to say when you come to Philadelphia,” Barkley told reporters through a smile. “I’ve been on the other side (when he played for the New York Giants) and even if I felt one way or another, I probably wouldn’t give them any extra fuel. Pretty sure Philly fans have seen it comment, and it should only be loud and rocking, and that will only add to it.”

Barkley has a point, as NFL teams and fan bases have a habit of responding to bulletin board material given to them by opponents. The Rams provided a recent example of this by using Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell’s “see you in two weeks” hot-mic comment to Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell as motivational fuel in their 27-9 wild card win over the Vikings.

With that in mind, Philadelphians are likely to respond accordingly to Verse’s insult, lashing out at him more forcefully than they did during the first meeting between the two teams in Week 12. Verse was given “an earful of obscenities” during that contest, according to Los Angeles Times.

“I didn’t even do anything to them,” Verse said of the Eagles faithful. “It was my first time playing. Oh, I hate Eagles fans.”

Verse spent three seasons of his high school career in Pennsylvania, so he’s had more exposure to Eagles fans than most. It’s part of the reason he doesn’t like the team, even its color scheme.

“When I see the green and white, I hate it,” Verse said. “I’m actually getting upset. Like I’m actually getting really hot.”

Vers will have to channel that rage into production during Eagles vs. The Rams game on Sunday. Specifically, he’ll have to work hard to help contain Barkley, who totaled 302 scrimmage yards in their last meeting.

Meanwhile, Eagles fans will focus on getting inside Verse’s head as the rookie looks to follow up his two-tackle postseason debut with a quality showing.

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