The most prized free agent in the upcoming offseason -- as previously noted by our own Pete Prisco -- is cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

Many a team is expected to compete for Asomugha and, as we've previously discussed, there have been insane rumors about Nnamdi pulling in upwards of $19 million a year. One of the teams many folks expected to chase the former Raider were the Detroit Lions, an up-and-coming team in need of a cornerback.

However, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported on Monday afternoon that Asomugha is "too expensive" for the Lions' taste and that they'll look elsewhere for secondary help.

"Elsewhere" isn't exactly bad -- Jonathan Joseph, Antonio Cromartie and Ike Taylor are all fantastic "consolation" prizes for teams that don't end up landing Asomugha.

In fact, fellow EoF blogger Ryan Wilson recently noted that Joseph might actually be the "best free-agent cornerback option," simply because his value at $X million a year might be surpass whatever Nnamdi offers at $XX, particularly at his age."

Birkett notes as much, pointing out that the Lions would like to add one of those guys "if the price is right."

Of course, none of this precludes Detroit from at least chasing Asomugha, though based on this, they'll eventually pull out of the running when his price tag gets too high.

If and when they do, though, it may be an indication of how much smarter the Lions' current regime is than the last.

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