Former 49ers center Baas eager for rematch

David Baas glanced over at David Carr as they pedaled away on stationary bikes during Monday morning's workout, amused at the situation in which they find themselves.

"We just kind of looked at each other and smiled," Baas said. "What an opportunity it is."

Particularly for Baas, the center who played six seasons with the 49ers before the Giants signed him to a five-year, $27.5-million deal in July. In order to reach the Super Bowl for the fifth time, the Giants are going to have to get through Baas' former team in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.

Baas already has exchanged text messages with a few former teammates, who got the initial upper hand in the 49ers' 27-20 win over the Giants on Nov. 13.

"It's great to go back there and have this opportunity," Baas said, "and it's funny that it happens to be my old team. But like I said, I'm focused on the New York Giants because that's my home."

Still, there's a part of Baas that's essentially happy the Giants made the trek out to his old stamping ground two months ago. He won't have to spend as much time saying his hellos and goodbyes, nor will there be a need to take a stroll on Candlestick Park's lush grass and ponder all the memories he collected while wearing a 49ers uniform. Been there, done that.

"It was great," Baas said. "I usually don't go out early on the field, but I went out early before warm-ups. It was nice to see some of the guys and all that, but that was that. I kind of got all the emotions out that time, and this is a business trip. We know they are a very good team and we have to be very focused when we go out there."

Baas said he'll do whatever he can to assist in preparing for the 49ers.

"With me personally knowing those guys, it's still always fresh in your mind," Baas said. "So that's where you come in and tell people about it, reminding them of exactly how those guys are and how they play -- their technique or their gaps. So it's good that way because it's a quick reminder versus easily forgetting."

Actually, it's been hard for Baas to forget the things the Giants didn't do well in their Week 10 defeat. The 49ers scored 15 points in 61 seconds to turn a 13-12 deficit into a 27-13 lead with 12:21 remaining.

"I hate to rewind," Baas said, "but I feel like if we just executed a little bit better last time, things might've been different. But that's last time, you know? We've got to come in and execute our game plan to the best of our ability and give us the best chance because they are a really good defense."

The 49ers were ranked fourth overall but gave up 462 passing yards and four TD passes to the Saints' Drew Brees in a 36-32 shootout Saturday. Now they must contend with Eli Manning and one of the league's hottest offenses.

"I really feel like we have something special here," Baas said. "Our confidence is really high. We can do something great. We have a great opportunity to go out there and prove ourselves again."