Why Rams OLB Jared Verse's crazy strategy of riling Eagles fans will pay off

(5) - The Rams need someone to rally around

Whether sourced in cinema or history, young men who are about to enter any battle or conflict have the normal emotional reaction of fear and dismay. It's only natural for any human facing danger to weigh through the fight or flight debate. The moments leading up to those clashes often contain speeches intended to convert that emotional energy into a singular focus.

It's why all NFL teams have a huddle that includes a motivational speech from a team leader just before kickoff.

Verse is not an experienced leader of the team, yet. But he is a trash-talker for good reason. Professional football is as much of a psychological game as it is a mental and physical game. Verse succeeds because he knows that over the course of the game, he will win his matchups on some plays, while not on others.

And yet, his constant chattering throughout the course of a game magnifies the perception of his success, while seemingly fueling an even more determined effort on the next play. Much like Captain America's alter ego Steve Rogers, Jared Verse never stops, and as Steve Rogers says in the movie.

I can do this all day.

But there is more at work in this scenario. Other Rams players may not be comfortable as spokespersons for the team. They are not wired to trash-talk throughout the game. Many football players prefer to let their performance and production on the football field do the talking for them. But that all changes when it comes to rallying around a teammate.

Verse is not foolish. He understands that comments before a game can serve to motivate opponents. But in the same fashion, it can serve to motivate his own players too. But by declaring Eagles fans to be disrespectful, he has placed an emotional bounty on his head. But he has also become the standard bearer of the LA Rams team. In a game of inches, that could be just enough for this Rams team to sneak out of Lincoln Financial Field with an upset victory.