Darius Muasau doesn’t have a cool superhero nickname like his new Giants teammate Brian Burns, but he does have two different identities.
“What happens off the field doesn’t happen on the field,” Muasau said after completing rookie minicamp. “Off the field, I think I’m more of an introvert. Once I’m on the field, it’s crazy. I don’t know how to explain it.
“It’s a different person on this field. All of a sudden, pregame speeches have become a hobby of mine. I’m very vocal, I talk to everyone, I make sure everyone is on the same page. It’s really my alter ego on the field.”
Barnes, known as “Spider-Man,” was traded to the team in March and signed a five-year, $141 million contract.
Muasau, a sixth-round draft pick, is known as a solid tackler after leading the team in four consecutive seasons in college.
He appeared in 61 games at Hawaii and UCLA and finished his career with 436 tackles, 40 of which were for a loss.
“He’s a smart, instinctive guy,” head coach Brian Daboll said. “We’re happy to have him.”
One of the East-West Shrine Bowl highlights published on NFL.com was labeled, “Darius Muasau booms with thunderous TFL in the backfield.”
“That’s easy, for me,” Muasau said. “I just go to the ball carrier, lap it, and beat the guy. That’s what I love about it, the physicality of this sport. I feel like that’s what I bring the most to the table. I just love running and hitting, and that’s what I’m proud of.”
Muasau credited his three seasons with over 90 tackles to his coach for putting him in the right position and to the other 10 defenders who did their jobs.
But one of Muasau’s secrets is that he prefers no shoulder-dropping, pushing the runner out of bounds, or any other corner-cutting basics that can result in a broken tackle and gain extra yards. That’s not true.
“I’m not perfect,” Muasau said. “As far as the tackling game, I try to correct all my mistakes because that’s a linebacker’s job. We tackle everything we see.”
The Giants felt comfortable putting their last draft pick on Muasau instead of an offensive or defensive lineman because they had a defender in the war room.
Special teams coordinator Michael Gobrial held the same job at Hawaii when Muasau was able to take the field as a freshman.
“That’s how I made my money,” said Muasau, who played kickoffs, kickoff returns, punts and punt returns under Gobrial. “I love running down and playing ball and making plays for the team. Any way I can contribute is fine. It’s a small world watching Coach Gobi here right now – just a little bit. It’s a full-circle moment.”
Ghobrial and Muasau, who served as the Jets’ assistant special teams coordinator for the past three seasons, were reunited at the Shrine Bowl after several years of incommunicado.
“He’s always full of energy no matter where he is,” Muasau said. “I have flashbacks to five years ago when I was sitting in his room. I just love that feeling. There’s nothing like it.”
Rookie minicamp not only gave Muasau a fast start in learning the playbook, but he also ultimately challenged returning starter Micah McFadden to become the No. 2 inside linebacker behind iron man Bobby Okereke. This is so that you can become It also allowed him to adapt to the Northeast. He wore a knit hat even in 60 degree weather.
“I brought all my winter gear from Hawaii, including the two jackets I have,” Muasau said. “I’m also looking forward to a white Christmas.”
But for the next seven months, Muasau will treat the knowledge Okereke has passed on to him as a gift that keeps on giving.
“What I’m most looking forward to is learning from the best players,” he said. “I’m a student of the game. I want to be the best myself every day, and I strive to be the best at my position right away.”
