Stephen A. Smith: Eagles' Saquon Barkley is finally “surrounded by a team” instead of “a bag of chips”

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith sharply criticized the Giants in a “First Take” segment on Friday.

When asked which running back – Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley or the Green Bay Packers' Josh Jacobs – would make the biggest impression in the NFL's first-ever Brazil game on Friday night, he didn't hesitate.

Smith went all out on Barkley while also sharply criticizing his former team.

“First of all, Saquon is a great player. For the first time in his life, he's going to be surrounded by a team because he has teammates now,” Smith said. “He didn't have that. He was in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a bag of chips. We all know that.”

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Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, spent the first six seasons of his career with the Giants. The Eagles signed Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million contract in March that will pay him more than $12 million annually.

In 74 games with the Giants, the two-time Pro Bowler collected 7,311 yards and 47 touchdowns on 1,489 touches. He ran for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns on 1,201 carries.

“He's a weapon that Jalen Hurts can use instead of playing the hero and trying to do big things when he doesn't have the opportunity,” Smith said.

“Saquon Barkley can turn the game around at any time. I'm excited about his prospects and I believe he will shine tonight in a Philadelphia Eagles uniform.”