Eagles RB Saquon Barkley plans to 'talk a little more crap' against old team on Sunday

This week is big for Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who will face the New York Giants -- the team he spent six seasons with before they basically told him to kick rocks and hit the open market back in March after refusing to pay him his worth. 

While Barkley certainly has his issues with how the Giants handled his departure, he knows how to separate the two come game day. 

“This rivalry is so much bigger than what happened in the offseason between me and the Giants and Hard Knocks,” Barkley told NBC Sports this week. “It’s been going on for a very long time. So I’ve been on the other side. I know how Giants fans feel. I don’t know what the environment is going to be like but I’m excited. As a player, as a competitor, you kind of welcome those environments and those moments. Whatever it is, hopefully it gives me a little extra juice and I can perform and help my team win.”

Barkley might not necessarily be out for blood come Sunday, however, he does still plan on talking a little more smack toward his former teammates. 

"I’m going to try my best to make sure it doesn’t impact me in a negative way," Barkley said. "If anything, try to use it to lift me up. Let my competitive spirit drive me and go out there and keep the main thing the main thing: That’s win football games and go out there and play with my teammates, go out there and play with my guys.

"This week, I’m going to have some guys on the other side of the ball too, so it’s going to make it more fun, talk a little more crap.”

Barkley had several offers in NFL free agency but the Eagles won the drawl, signing him to a hefty three-year, $37.75 million deal. 

That deal has paid off for the Birds so far as Barkley has rushed for 482 yards and four touchdowns through the first five games. He has also logged 92 yards and a touchdown through the air.