Rob Gronkowski Injury: NY Giants Must Fear Power of the Gronk Despite Hurt Ankle

New England Patriots superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski may have been spotted in a walking boot following their insane, borderline lucky, victory vs. the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 AFC Championship game, but he is determined to play in his first Super Bowl appearance.

"Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski left the locker room feeling optimistic after his team defeated the Ravens 23-20 yesterday to land in Super Bowl XLVI against the Giants. With good reason.

A source told me this morning that Gronkowski’s left ankle, which he injured on a 23-yard catch in the third quarter, won’t prevent him from participating in the game in Indianapolis in two weeks. The source with direct knowledge of Gronkowski’s condition said simply, 'He’ll be ready to go.'" according to the Boston Herald's Ian R. Rapoport. 

The Patriots will "host" the Giants in a rematch of Super Bowl 42 on February 5, 2012, and New York must not take "The Gronk" lightly.

Despite having quality safeties in Kenny Phillips, Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant, the Giants are still prone to giving up massive plays to opposing highly athletic tight ends. Just last night, the team almost threw away their chance at Super Bowl XLVI because they simply could not restrain 49ers tight end Vernon Davis. He posted a monster line of 112 yards and two scores on just three receptions. 

The problem for Big Blue against the Pats is that Gronk is even superior to "Vernis." We may be witnessing the greatest tight end in the history of the game. Gronk's unreal combination of speed, power, size and catch radius allowed him to dominate the 2011 season like we've never seen from a tight end. 

The man is a pure machine. Don't think for a second that he won't be ready to go on Super Bowl Sunday, prepared to dominate the G-Men like no other man ever has. With Tom Brady tossing him the rock with supreme accuracy, Big Blue should be trembling. 

The man caught 17 touchdowns in the regular season and already has three this postseason. The Giants may have won the regular season matchup in pure nail-biting fashion, but Gronkowski lit them up just like he did everyone else. He recorded eight receptions for 101 yards and a score. In the biggest game of his life, expect him to show up ready for a Goliath-like performance. 

The Giants are healthier this time around than they were November 6. The front seven, mainly the defensive line, is playing remarkable football.

The G-Men will use their ferocious pass-rush to slow down Brady, much like they did in Super Bowl 42 and their regular season meeting. Unfortunately, that is the only way to slow down The Gronk, because there is simply no slowing him down.