Why Eagles' Saquon Barkley has 'different appreciation' for Nick Sirianni

Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles admitted earlier this summer that he couldn't stand head coach Nick Sirianni when the running back featured for the New York Giants. 

Barkley's feelings understandably changed after he signed a three-year, $37.75M contract that could be worth up to $46.75M with $26M fully guaranteed to join the Eagles in March.

"I’ve always known how passionate he was about the game and now I have a different appreciation for it after being on the opposite side," Barkley said about Sirianni during a recent chat with Bob Brookover of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "When you’re here, you see (the passion). He bleeds it. Every single day he talks about all the little things, and he really focuses on our habits, our habits, our habits…all the things that we do extra just because your habits are who you are, and he really believes that." 

Back in June before Barkley completed his first training camp practice with Philadelphia, it was reported that Sirianni's seat "could probably not be hotter" coming off the club's collapse late last season. It has since become clear that Sirianni embraced what Brookover referred to as "a more global role" this offseason and handed control of the offense over to quarterback Jalen Hurts, new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and new quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier.

Part of Sirianni's "CEO-type role" seemingly involves placing notes in lockers belonging to players such as Barkley during practices. 

"It said he just wanted to let me know how much he appreciates how I show up and how I practice every day," Barkley said about one such note he received from Sirianni this summer. "Stuff like that goes a long way for players. When you have a guy who is that passionate, a guy who loves and bleeds the game, you want to go out there and play at a high level for him. I’m excited to do that." 

Barkley being a fan of Sirianni may not be enough to save the coach's job if the Eagles fail to complete a trip to at least the NFC Championship Game come January. As of Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Philadelphia as a two-point favorite for Friday's regular-season opener against the Green Bay Packers. 

"I’m excited," Barkley said about making his official Eagles debut in Brazil. "I’m not a big talker. Hopefully, I can show it on the field not just this Friday but throughout the whole season."