PHILADELPHIA — Every week later, with their crew on the verge of probably taking part in within the Tremendous Bowl, Philadelphia Eagles followers apparently don’t have anything however respect for Rams rookie Jared Verse.
Verse, the Rams’ boisterous edge rusher, riled the Eagles devoted earlier than the NFC divisional spherical playoff recreation by saying he hated them and located them annoying. Verse subsequently embraced verbal abuse earlier than and through a 28-22 defeat, wherein he recorded two sacks. Verse mentioned afterward that taking part in the position of villain hyped him up.
Earlier than Sunday’s recreation between the Eagles and Washington Commanders, a Instances reporter navigated Eagles tailgates exterior Lincoln Monetary Discipline to ask followers their earlier than and after reactions to Verse, a finalist for NFL defensive rookie of the yr.
“He was trying to do something to fire up his team,” mentioned Mike Carter, sporting a No. 20 Eagles jersey. “I don’t know if it backfired or not, but he kind of came clean after the game and said that he enjoyed the atmosphere.
“He kind of knew what he was doing. He knew what he was going to get and we gave it to him. After the game he showed respect, and we showed respect. It’s all good.”
Joe Friel, a season ticket-holder since 1971, mentioned Verse was a great participant.
“I respect the guy for what he did,” Friel mentioned. “I think he tried to get his team going.”
Eagles followers Jay Vignetti, left, and Tal Simms mentioned Jared Verse ought to have used totally different phrases, however he earned followers’ respect by backing up his feedback with good play.
(Gary Klein / Los Angeles Instances)
Stated Kevin Fitzpatrick: “He kind of realized that we’re much nicer than everyone says, and we recognize when a guy is sticking up for his team.”
Down a row of gatherings, Tal Simms mentioned he would have picked totally different phrases than Verse selected.
“I would probably say, ‘Hey, I’m not really crazy about playing in Philly,’ but he said what he said and I think it was more of an in-the-moment kind of thing.”
Jay Vignetti mentioned that when Verse’s feedback have been displayed on the stadium video board, “‘it fuels us.”
Nonetheless, Verse impressed Simms and Vignetti.
“If you’re going to say something like that, come out and say it to our face and we’ll respect you a lot more — and he did,” Simms mentioned.
Eagles fan Ted Holloway mentioned he respects Jared Verse however he bought the identical therapy at Lincoln Monetary Discipline as Santa Claus.
(Gary Klein / Los Angeles Instances)
As Ted Holloway leaned into the again of pickup, he mentioned he gave Verse “a tiny bit” of respect as a result of like Verse he’s a Florida State man.
“But he should know better than that,” Holloway mentioned. “Ask everybody in the league: Before you play the Eagles, dude, do not talk trash because we’re going to make you eat those words.”
Holloway mentioned he was within the stands for the sport towards the Rams. Verse bought the identical therapy Santa Claus acquired at halftime of an notorious 1968 recreation at Franklin Discipline.
“We threw snowballs at him,” Holloway mentioned. “So he gets the same thing Santa gets.”
