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Eagles Saquon B...

Get geared-up for the game

THE JAWN STORE

Even though Barkley said he will treat the game just like he would any other, he explained that he’s “still processing” exactly what it means to him given his personal history there. Over the course of six seasons with the Giants, Barkley played in 74 games, rushed for 5,211 yards (the fourth-most in Giants franchise history), and notched 47 touchdowns (35 rushing, 12 receiving).

Regardless, the two-time Pro Bowl running back said he’s looking forward to being a part of history given the staunch, storied rivalry between the two teams, even if he isn’t quite sure what to expect from the environment this time around. Just a couple of years ago, Barkley said he would have never anticipated that he would be playing on the other end of it.

“This game, this division, has been super fun,” Barkley said. “It’s awesome to walk in the hallways here and see the history of it. And I want to be part of it. I would love to make a play or be part of one of those big games, especially on this side.”

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From his perspective in Philadelphia, Barkley admitted that it’s “kind of weird” to scout his former team in preparation for the game. Even though the Giants have a new defensive coordinator in Shane Bowen and have added a big-name edge rusher in Brian Burns, Barkley still sees plenty of familiar faces on film that will try to give him fits in the run game.

Saquon Barkley can’t point to another moment in his career exactly like this one — the return to a place that he called home for six years as a member of the rival team. From Whitehall High School to Penn State to the NFL, his first game back at MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Giants as an Eagle on Sunday is an unprecedented experience for the 27-year-old running back.

His mentality going into this contest, however, is not.

Four days in advance of Sunday’s matchup, Barkley said that he has learned throughout his career not to put more weight into any given game compared to the rest because his performance will suffer as a result. He isn’t looking to have a “[screw]-you” moment, Barkley explained without cursing on Wednesday.

Instead, he will take a level-headed approach to his first game against the Giants, the team that drafted him No. 2 overall in 2018.

“I don’t have to prove anything to them,” Barkley said Wednesday. “I’m thankful for the opportunity for this organization, from Jeffrey [Lurie] to Howie [Roseman], everybody getting me here. So that’s the people I’ve got to prove it to and my teammates. At the end of the day, the most important thing is winning. Whether I go have 300 yards or if I have 10 yards, as long as we win, I don’t have that big of a pride or ego that if I go out there and ball.”