Much has been made about pregame superstitions, and Giants center David Baas is as superstitious as they get. The seventh-year pro not only hasn’t shaved since their winning streak started against the New York Jets in Week 16, but there are a few other things he hasn’t done, either.
“The only thing I’ve done, since the Jets game, which is not shave… obviously,” the heavily bearded Baas said. “I haven’t washed my clothes either.”
Then he paused to clarify, “Just shirt and pants – we’ll make that clear.”
Baas came over from the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason, and then had to beat his old teammates in the NFC Championship Game. They have wished him well though.
“I talked to a couple of them after we won out there,” Baas said. “And basically the consensus was, ‘Hey, go get that ring.’ Because that’s what they were working for, too.”
Baas will have his hands full on Sunday as he lines up directly across from Patriots nosetackle Vince Wilfork. Pro Player Insiders caught up with Baas on Media Day.
PPI: Can you describe the emotion of going to the Super Bowl, but having to beat the old guys to do it [former teammates with the San Francisco 49ers]?
DB: Yeah, it’s crazy. It’s a once in a lifetime deal. I’ve just been trying to take in any information from guys that have been here before, trying to understand the stage of this game. You know, you understand it in terms of big games, but when it’s the biggest one, it’s turned up a notch. You have all this different stuff to deal with. Like they’ve been all season, since I got here and was kind of just thrown in the mix, the linemen have really kind of embraced me and tried to give me as much information as possible. They’re still trying to do that.
PPI: Have you heard from any of your old 49ers teammates in the week and a half since you played?
DB: I talked to a couple of them after we won out there. And basically the consensus was, “Hey, go get that ring.” Because that’s what they were working for, too. They said we’re really proud of you, and just go win that ring, because that’s the biggest thing, and that’s what we’re here for. We’re focused. We’ve got all this other stuff, but when it comes to crunch time, you’ve got to be on top of your stuff and focused and ready to win. That’s what you’re here for.
PPI: You mentioned before that some of the guys that have been here before have given you some tips on what to expect this week. Is there anything specific that they told you?
DB: Just little detail thing. I even called guys that I played with in high school – Todd Johnson, who’s now the head coach of my old high school. He played with the Bears when they played in the Super Bowl. He was just telling me how he managed things, and anything that he regretted, in terms of grabbing some extra hats and shirts. Little things that can become important things. The week’s going to go by so quick, you might not think about it. In terms of game plan, just the whole process. Diehl and those guys have helped with little things, because it’s a new experience for me. I don’t want to look like a lost dog.
PPI: When you get ready for the game, are there any pregame superstitions or rituals that you go through each week?
DB: The only thing I’ve done, since the Jets game, which is not shave… obviously. And then I haven’t washed my clothes either. Just shirt and pants – we’ll make that clear. But I always listen to some good friend of mine Eve to Adam – a band from New York. I’ll always listen to them. I used to do that in college, and we’ve always won when I listened to them. So I’ll do that, and then get into my normal routine.
PPI: Much of the pregame press so far has been about the Giants’ pass rush, but when you look across the field at the Patriot’s front seven, what do you see there? Are they underrated?
DB: Oh yeah, you look at statistics and everything like that, of course, you know, they’re ranked lower and, you know, who cares? I mean, seriously. Our run game, oh we’re ranked so low! We can bring it out if we wanted to. You know, it’s just, it’s based on execution. I feel like that’s the biggest part about this game is. You know, it’s going to be a battle between, you know, coordinators and you know, figuring out what’s people’s weaknesses and how they can exploit this or that, and being able to react to the situations. And if we can execute better than them, you know, depending on what their defensive runs are, then we’ll win.
Megan McLaughlin contributed to this piece.
