If, as expected, Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha becomes an unrestricted free agent, the Ravens will have an interest. The Ravens might not be able to pay the price for Asomugha, regarded as one of the best cover corners in the league, but they will at least pursue him when or if the free-agent market opens.
The Ravens would like to have Asomugha start opposite of rookie cornerback Jimmy Smith because they would give the Ravens one of the best combinations in the NFL. Last year, the Ravens' coverage in the secondary improved as the season went on, but they still had trouble playing press coverage and being physical at the line of scrimmage. The Ravens also had trouble stopping short, timing pass patterns, especially slant routes.
Most teams in the NFL don't have one good cover cornerback, and it would be a luxury to have two. The New York Jets have two, and it makes their pass rush a lot better than it really is.