Future Hall of Famer Reveals Haunting Ravens Story
The Baltimore Ravens know just how dangerous the New England Patriots were at the peak of their powers. As they stampeded through the AFC playoff circuit year after year, the Ravens found themselves as fodder twice in four seasons. When the Ravens did topple the NFL's Goliath, they won the Super Bowl two weeks later.
Part of that dynastical core was tight end Rob Gronkowski, whose versatility made him a freakish boost to New England's offense. Of the receiving tight ends to blossom in the 2010s, none blocked quite as well as Gronkowski. When he wasn't stifling defenders, he was jumping over them or running through them, creating an unfair pairing with the greatest quarterback to hit the gridiron.
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Simply put, Gronkowski was a nuisance, and one Baltimore knew well.
It didn't have to be that way, though. On 'Dudes on Dudes' with Julian Edelman, the future Hall of Famer haunted Ravens fans with an admission that he was nearly Baltimore-bound.
"The Baltimore Ravens were going to pick me, I think it was the 25th pick that they had in the draft," Gronkowski said. "But then Denver and [Head Coach] Josh McDaniels came scooping in and traded with the Baltimore Ravens. The Denver Broncos took Tim Tebow. I just got booted out of the first round.
"The Ravens had the 43rd pick now. Well, then the New England Patriots got a sniff of it, and they traded up one spot before the Baltimore Ravens at No. 42, where I got drafted."
The Baltimore faithful have Tebow to thank for taking down their biggest rival in the playoffs as he took over the football world for one fateful season. The cost of that selection may have reaped harsher consequences.
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Gronkowski won four Super Bowls, earned four first-team All-Pro selections, and is viewed by some as the best tight end of all time.
Between Dennis Pitta and Mark Andrews, Baltimore didn't exactly have a drought at the position, but the idea of Gronkowski adding to Joe Flacco and Lamar Jackson's offenses is tantalizing.
The Ravens will hope Andrews and Isaiah Likely combine to have a similar impact to the legend they barely missed out on.
Related: Ravens Sign Super Bowl Winner And 9 of 11 Draft Picks
Related: Ravens Legend Steve Smith Sued in Home-Wrecker Law Case
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