Nothing however respect.
That’s what Rams edge rusher Jared Verse professed Thursday when requested about returning to play the Philadelphia Eagles earlier than their followers at Lincoln Monetary Subject.
Verse, the Rams’ prime decide within the 2024 NFL draft, despatched shock waves by the NFL final January when he mentioned earlier than an NFC divisional-round sport that he hated Eagles followers and indicated that the staff’s inexperienced and white uniforms triggered him.
On sport day, Verse inspired and welcomed the colourful verbiage that got here his approach, and he recorded two of the Rams’ seven sacks in a 28-22 defeat.
Verse’s phrases might need incited the Eagles trustworthy, however based mostly on fan response per week later earlier than their staff performed the Washington Commanders within the NFC Championship, Verse earned big respect.
“My emotions are roughly the identical,” Verse mentioned, chuckling. “However like it’s with all people, I respect people who not solely respect me however that stand on enterprise. They stood on enterprise with the scenario. They got here with their power.
“After the sport I tipped my hat off to them, they tipped it again. … I’ve respect for these followers, I’ve respect for the gamers, I’ve respect for all of them, however I stand on all the things I’ve ever mentioned.”
For opposing offensive coordinators, Verse is now not an issue to aim to resolve on the fly. They’ve had a complete offseason to attract up schemes to neutralize the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Verse, the 2024 NFL defensive rookie of the yr.
Philadelphia Eagles working again Saquon Barkley, left, scores on a 62-yard run in entrance of Rams linebacker Jared Verse through the Rams’ loss within the NFC divisional playoffs in January.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Instances)
From a glamour statistics perspective, it seems to be working. However that doesn’t inform the entire story.
In victories over the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans, Verse made a mixed 5 tackles and delivered three quarterback hits for a protection that has surrendered just one landing.
Meantime, fellow edge rusher Byron Younger has three sacks and a pressured fumble. Rookie Josaiah Stewart bought his first sack in opposition to the Titans.
Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula famous that Verse stays an impression participant.
“You speak about a whole lot of the eye that he will get,” Shula mentioned. “Among the success of Byron Younger and Josaiah Stewart [has happened] as a result of a whole lot of that spotlight is paid to Verse.
“He’ll be the primary to inform you he might be extra constant, he can play with higher effort and be snap in and snap out. However we expect Verse is precisely the place we wish him to be and count on him to play effectively.”
Verse mentioned it was irritating “not having the ability to say, ‘Oh, I’m making this play, I’m making that play,’” particularly when watching different prime gamers who demand related consideration convert alternatives.
“However then you definitely gotta understand, not solely am I serving to the staff, I’m serving to my complete protection. I’m serving to these guys make the performs,” he mentioned.
Verse, nevertheless, mentioned he wanted to capitalize on his alternatives.
“I’m getting my one-on-ones,” he mentioned, “I’m getting a pure ‘me-him, who’s-the-better-man play, and I’m not making the most of these.
“So this complete week, that’s been my foremost focus.”
Verse and the Rams will as soon as once more try and neutralize an Eagles offense that options working again Saquon Barkley, quarterback Jalen Hurts and maybe the highest line within the NFL, which options tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata.
Rams linebacker Jared Verse walks on the sector earlier than a win over the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7.
(Kyusung Gong / Related Press)
Final season, in a November victory over the Rams, Barkley amassed 302 whole yards, together with 255 speeding. He scored on runs of 72 and 70 yards.
Within the divisional spherical, Barkley rushed for 205 yards and scored on runs of 62 and 78 yards.
“All you need to do is get rid of the explosives,” Verse mentioned. “We take away the explosives, each of these video games are very winnable.”
So Verse is keen to play the Eagles once more. And to indicate that like different nice gamers, he can overcome additional consideration and make performs.
“The greats get that spotlight,” he mentioned, “The greats break by it. … I simply should go this subsequent part, this subsequent wall, this subsequent mountain.
“That’s the one factor I’m targeted on. As soon as I go that, we’re cooking with oil once more.”
