Steve Smith Sr. has spent the last couple of seasons terrorizing AFC East defenses as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, but it almost came to pass that he became an offensive nuisance on another member of the division's offense. Smith Sr. was, per a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen, "coveted" by the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick during the 2014 NFL offseason. Per the report, Smith Sr. was actually set for a visit to New England, but inclement weather caused airport delays that afforded enough time for the veteran pass catcher to make his mind up about joining Baltimore.
The Patriots and Belichick for their part have struggled to see consistent output from the outside receiver positions beyond the diminutive Julian Edelman. While Edelman is extremely versatile and elite at what he does as a perfect fit for the kind of consistent, methodical offense the Pats want to run with quarterback Tom Brady, there's no denying the kind of upgrade Smith Sr. would have provided for the New England receiving corps.
As evidenced by the Patriots' flirtation with veteran receiver and longtime rival Reggie Wayne this offseason, Belichick and Co. still desire a tough, savvy player on the outside of the offensive formation. Smith Sr. even at 36, would have filled that role perfectly.
Three games into his final NFL go-round Smith Sr. is third in the NFL with 25 receptions for 349-yards, bringing his career totals to 940 catches and 13,811 hard-earned yards. He and the Ravens are dangerously close to falling out of contention even this early in the season, but he's the type of tough, gritty player that won't give up on a season.
And per Schefter and Mortensen, Patriots fans hopeful of a Smith Sr. trade this season can forget it - Ravens team sources already indicated to them that it won't happen, no matter what Baltimore's record is.
