Baltimore Ravens: Could They Target Nnamdi Asomugha in 2011 NFL Free Agency?

When the NFL lockout came to an unceremonious end on Monday afternoon, the Baltimore Ravens were the first ones to celebrate. They just had a funny way of doing it.

The Ravens immediately went about their business, cutting four big-time veterans according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Among those four were Todd Heap, Derrick Mason, Kelly Gregg and Willis McGahee.

There are several reasons they could be doing this. Of course, the moves help the Ravens get younger at several key positions, as all four players are over the age of 30.

Something tells me that wasn't the first thing on their mind. After all, the team just got done helping to negotiate a 10-year collective bargaining agreement.

It just so happens, as well, that all four are due big money. As Wilson points out, the four cuts will save the Ravens a combined $18.6 million against the salary cap in 2011. This frees up a lot of room for the Ravens to sign their own players, as well as to sign players from other teams.

The Ravens most glaring need is at cornerback, despite the fact that they spent a first-round draft pick on Colorado defensive back Jimmy Smith.

Enter Nnamdi Asomugha, the prize pony of the 2011 free agent class. He is widely considered one of the two best shutdown cornerbacks in the league. It's safe to say that the Ravens could do a lot better for themselves than to start Fabian Washington and Chris Carr.

A defense that features Haloti Ngata, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed and Nnamdi Asomugha? That group would definitely make the Ravens the paper champions of the 2011 NFL preseason.

Without using the words "1985 Chicago Bears," it would be fair to call that group a contender for the most star-studded defense of all time and definitely a defense that would be nearly impossible to game-plan for.

Without using the words "Steel Curtain," it would be fair to say that the Ravens defense looks as impenetrable as...well, steel.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, though. According to Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun, the Ravens are looking to re-sign Heap and Mason to smaller contracts. Still, if either are able to find a better deal elsewhere, that may be a moot point.

The Plan B of pursuing Nnamdi Asomugha, though, would a great "worst case scenario" to have on the back burner.