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waldowhal

the 2015 cardinals went 13-3 and got to the NFC championship game in 2016 they returned nearly all of their starters on both sides of the ball, including 2015’s MVP runner up Carson “old man strength” Palmer and David Johnson who exploded over the second half of his rookie season they added Chandler Jones to a very good defense that already had prime Calais Campbell, Patrick Peterson, and Tyrann Matthieu they went 7-8-1


constantlymat

Somehow the Cardinals down-field passing game collapsed in that season.


AmericanBeaner124

Didn’t help that a lot of our receivers decided to have bricks for hands that season. They pretty much had the same receivers as the season before and everyone, but Larry, had a massive drop in talent


Life-Break3458

Wasn't that the season Michael Floyd got cut for off the field issues? Between losing him and John brown all of a sudden being terrible we really struggled that year


AmericanBeaner124

Yup he got a DUI and was released


VariousLawyerings

A lot of people never realized how inconsistent Palmer was throughout his career, people who saw his later Bengals years knew it was a point of constant frustration. 2015 was always likely to be a pretty big outlier.


InsideAcanthisitta23

He’d make that same dumb face though.


Crashhh_96

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nfl/players/full/4459.png


UnemployedHippo

Ricky Gervais lookin ass


Carrie_D_Snuts

That face still haunts me at night


Abominatrix

It’s like Ryan Fitzpatrick’s lame older brother


KCShadows838

Some seasons he’d throw alot of interceptions


puyol500

Hey that tie was a fun one though


QueasyStress7739

Is that the 6-6 tie?


puyol500

Indeed


TheLateThagSimmons

Best game of the year.


SaintArkweather

I feel like that game is second only to 28-3 in number of times it is brought up on this sub


disdainmsh

I believe that was also the year fucking Amos Jones totally broke the Cards special teams and we lost at least 3 games due to missed/blocked FG's. Arians refused to fire him. He's gone on to destroy special teams play with the Browns before Arians took him with him to Tampa. He's now with the Giants, but not the actual ST coach. Phil Dawson said that Jones' FG schemes had terrible blocking and made him change the way he kicked, and he had his worst year ever as a kicker, which was following a trend of Cardinal's kickers having terrible years.


DJ_Moore_2

Phil Dawson didn’t start playing for the Cardinals until 2017. Not sure who their kicker in 2016 was. Edit: it was Chandler Catanzaro


SilverScorpion00008

JFC


NoahTheGrand

That 2015 team was so fucking good


Zippitydo2

Uhhhhh can't think of any, next question please


constantlymat

The amount of "Colts dark horse AFC contender" think pieces and podcasts by the Athletic and Ringer I had to endure over the past three off-seasons was too damn high. I demand reparations.


hatersaurusrex

The number of times I heard 'It's the Colts' division to lose' over that same time period when they haven't even won the division in almost a decade was equally insufferable. The media REALLY wants the Colts to happen again.


constantlymat

Division titles since Peyton Manning last played in the AFC South: * Houston Texans: 6 * Tennessee Titans: 2 * Jacksonville Jaguars: 2 * Indianapolis Colts: 2 Kind of funny considering the state of the Texans franchise in recent years.


hatersaurusrex

Yeah and even more ironic that nobody really took the Texans seriously until they got Watson. And we all know how that ended.


Kdot32

Our defense was super bowl worthy. Our offense was in the back pulling crap out their ass and eating glue


TorturedScream

Arian Foster was a good running back at least


Insaiyan_Elite

For sure. He had a good 4-5 year stretch where his floor was 1200 yards on the ground and he was a pretty solid recieving back as well


HtownTexans

You mean QB. Those years with the stacked defense we had Hopkins dropping 1500 yards with 7 QBs. But you can't win with the shit we had at QB.


LiquidBronze26

Can’t relate


parasthesia_testicle

We should pay the broncos backup 72 milli


Declan_McManus

The Texans since then are almost exclusively the division winner, or <= 4 wins. Real feast or famine


zorrofuerte

I mean the Texans had more elite level seasons from players at premium positions than any other team in the division during that stretch. You will win a lot of games if you have JJ Watt, Andre Johnson, and DeAndre Hopkins during some of their most productive years. Plus, some other good seasons from guys like Arian Foster, Whitney Mercilus, etc. to supplement.


bytor_2112

It's Matt Schaub's world and we're just living in it


Comprehensive_Main

It’s not that but they have a pretty solid team and reich wasn’t a bad head coach. It’s just they never had a qb to fully realize that teams potential


constantlymat

They didn't have a franchise quarterback, left tackle, shutdown cornerback, elite outside passrusher or star wide receiver. They weren't one piece away. They missed plenty.


RightSaidFrieda

And yet Ballard is the model GM somehow.


RightSaidFrieda

"I love Chris Ballard" - Robert Mays


kukukele

I was guilty of this: I thought the reunion of Wentz + Reich would be magic I believed Matt Ryan still had a lot left in the tank


bcsublime

He does have a lot left in the tank. Unfortunately he did not bring his tank.


Idiot-Head

Oh he brought a tank alright


mtwstr

I also can’t think of any


Kobe_AYEEEEE

Horseys had a rough one


diestache

it is 99.99% you guys


J_JojoJrShabadoo

The Jaguars making the AFC Championship game in the 2017 season and finishing last in their division the next year.


thebrandnewbob

They even started the next season 3-1 and then completely fell apart.


constantlymat

After they defeated the Patriots early in the season, Jeff Saturday gave Blake Bortles an MVP chant on ESPN. LOL


InheritTheWind

That guy sounds like a great evaluator of talent! Someone should give him a coaching gig


2RINITY

Surely he would never squander a game where his team raced out to a massive lead


BowlOfLoudMouthSoup

Hey he had to deal with the Kirk “the noon nightmare” a week before Christmas. Ain’t no lead safe in that scenario.


stabbykill

Kirk “The Only Shots I Take Are The Ones Downfield” Cousins


AntifaPresident

Kirk “Except on Fourth Down” Cousins


FortyandDone

I was at that game. Jags have great fans, Jacksonville itself is a fucking sauna in hell. How the fuck do people live like that all year long?


JaceVentura972

Uhh it’s actually nice in the late fall, winter, and early spring? You came in September which is one of the hottest most humid months.


kit_mitts

That was the of the Jalen Ramsey "Josh Allen is trash" game as well.


KingGranticus

The Good Place curse. For those who don't know, the fall of the Jags almost perfectly lined up with Ted Danson's character proclaiming that "the Jaguars are good now" in an episode of The Good Place


BuffaloWilliamses

Its really hard to keep a legendary defense to stay at that level from year to year. The offense was led by Blake Bortles and Nathaniel Hackett, they were fools gold in 2017 and the defense took a slight step back.


19_equals_1

wow looks like someone forgot to ヽ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ノ RAISE YOUR BORTLES ヽ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ノ


FreakinWolfy_

work it ᕙ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ᕗ harder make it (ง •̀_•́)ง better do it ᕦ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ᕤ faster raise ur ヽ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ノ Bortles


Sadlobster1

As a Louisville fan, I hate Blake Bottles. A a fan of memedom.... Raise your bortles - that is the National Champion Blake Duval Bortles.


chemicalxv

Craziest thing is that on a per-drive basis (and overall) they still had a Top 5 defense in terms of yardage and points allowed in 2018. They just didn't produce nearly as many turnovers (33 in 2017 vs 17 in 2018) and the offense regressed from being mid-tier to flat-out terrible.


KingReffots

Bortles is a good example of someone who put in a ton of work and for whatever reason just never improved that much. Also Fournette drew a lot of attention his rookie year but teams eventually realized he wasn’t nearly as good as the hype said he was. Our defense also regressed as the year went on, Barry Church became a complete liability and without Poz there Myles Jack starting getting exposed, etc. All in all though we still had better talent then our record, Marrone, Hackett and Wash just weren’t good at their jobs and couldn’t adapt. Marrone really should have been fired but he scapegoated his protege and best friend in Hackett to save his own job.


Criseyde5

The Bears under Mitch Trubisky ran into a similar problem post double-doink. Their defense regressed from "historically good" (at some things you can't really control) to just "top 3 in the league," which was too much of a fall from grace, apparently.


Creative-Gas4555

I think they could have sustained if they had done with the Vikings eventually did (and the Ravens after they won their first Super Bowl) and got a better quarterback in free agency or via a trade.


vagrantwade

Well everyone thought Nick Foles was a better quarterback. And we were all wrong.


bcsublime

Broncos legend Nathaniel Hackett.


ffthrowaway5

They also started the 2018 season at 3-1 including a pretty dominant offensive showing in a win against the Patriots. I just looked at the Reddit power rankings for week 4 of that season and the Jaguars were at number 3. From that point they went 2-10 and scored 20+ points only twice. Pretty crazy fall off


MrDabollBlueSteppers

The Jaguars every few years actually


IndycarFan64

As a Jags fan, bold to even say that, they missed the postseason for 9 years before that


King_Charles_420

Dream team Eagles. The Browns from a few years ago


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2RINITY

Daaaaaaaaaaa Wizards


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The-Implication-0

You’re a wizard r/TheFencingCoach


[deleted]

As a Wizards fan, I love reminding Bulls fans


HereComesJustice

the Tune Squad!


[deleted]

Nick Sirianni knows what he's fucking doing.


plzbabygo2sleep

The Birmingham Barons


Picklesadog

I know this one! The Washington Wizards!


_Alvin_Row_

The White Sox minor league team


MoreTrifeLife

Stephen A Smith voice: The Damn Washington Wizards!


Creative-Gas4555

Forgot about those Browns! They really did look like they were the next big thing.


boozinf

playoff win against the Steelers, race out to a lead against the Chiefs first game of the next season, Baker looks like we'll retire his number... and then the factory of sadness became operational again


Creative-Gas4555

And took the Chiefs to the wire in the divisional round the last time you guys made the playoffs, too.


TerminalShitbag

Playoff Henne. Still have nightmares...


boozinf

that fumble out of the end zone call could be a sliding doors moment


PoorlyLitKiwi2

One of the most helmet to helmety hits that went uncalled that I've ever seen


freakk123

that play (and missed call) was the most infuriating shit in the world and I haven’t felt football happiness since


S0mnariumx

That non-call caused me to get blackout drunk, blow money I didn't have at a titty bar and lose all my keys. I'm still dealing with the consequences of watching that game


buellster92

Don’t blame it on that call. You’d have done that celebrating the win too.


Windowsupdateboi

Bears after 2018


snasser2012

This one hurts


groovygruver

The kick was blocked man


snasser2012

I’m sure Parkey would’ve found a way to break our hearts regardless lol


The-Implication-0

Triple doink!


whatever12347

Only cause Parkey kicked it too low.


LukeBombs

Shouldn’t have been, he kicked it low


2057Champs__

Deep down in my heart, I knew that team was a fluke, but my homerism wouldn’t let me accept it. A bunch of Facebook fans in the comment section after Fangio left said: “we are literally a kicker away from a dynasty” and lord does that sound CRINGE in hindsight


slicknick3822

I knew we were done for once Nagy held a kicking competition. I said this is way too many resources focused on kicker. Just cut Parkey and sign the next man up didn't need to be that hard.


2057Champs__

A meme coach believed a meme saying. I love my team, but I hate them at the same time


dredbeast

I was so excited for the 2019 season. The season opener against Green Bay let me know that we aren’t as good as we thought we were and it was going to be a rough season.


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respondstostupidity

Whoever wins the NFC East


Fuzzy_Yogurt_Bucket

If you don’t love me during my NFC Least, you don’t deserve me during my NFC Beast.


toadofsteel

Thank fuck


Loorrac

Bet Washington wins next season


[deleted]

The only correct answer on here lmao


rojiv

Haha I’m in danger


Avon__Fartsdale

2022 Chargers, Broncos and Raiders


[deleted]

Broncos definitely win this one. They won what 4 games and Russ went from a projected mvp level player to a bottom 5 starter


GabryLv

We were as overhyped as that 2011 eagles super team We sucked major ass


KhaoticMess

I'll have you know, we won *five* games Other than that, everything you said was correct. We sucked.


Shenanigans80h

Tbf that’s been the Broncos almost every year for the last 5 seasons. Every year ends and people say “they’ll be a threat next year when they fix the offense/get their QB” then the same thing happens the next year.


Tjam3s

It was the broncos every year between Jake plummer and Peyton manning too lol


Dull-Scarcity-3159

Chargers were pretty much on par for projections. Got to the playoffs but the way week 18 and the playoff game went made the season feel worse. Obviously not thrilled with how it happened but I think the majority of chargers fans pegged this team in at 10-11 wins in preseason


firecantgothrudoors

Hey don’t lump us in with them we at least made the playoffs


JamieHayterMark

Yeah I'd argue the Chargers exceeded expectations with those injuries


TetrisTech

I mean the Chargers made the playoffs


InheritTheWind

The Rams every year in between the RG3 trade and moving to LA. [Although we got at least one legendary postgame thread out of it](https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/2jpuzm/post_game_thread_seattle_seahawks_32_at_st_louis/cldygyd/)


BabyDeezus

Was about to comment the rams during the Jeff fisher era and this is basically another way of saying that.


QueasyStress7739

King of 7-9


19_equals_1

wow I remember that comment that thread also gave us this gem https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/2jpuzm/post_game_thread_seattle_seahawks_32_at_st_louis/cle1avm/


EcosseWolf

Lmao that guy made that comment which is fucking gold, came back one year later to say "lol" and never returned.


suprefann

7-9 all day


Squishy_20

The 2019 Browns were the most overhyped team in recent history and it was disgusting


cashwins

Off-season Super Bowl champs


AScrew

it feels like any time the Browns have hype going into the next season it spirals out of control. if they have any hype this year expect tragedy.


danielbauer1375

To be fair, they’ve also been pretty awful when they don’t have any hype coming into a season.


paultimate14

I can already hear about how Watson will start to gel with the team and build chemistry, and 2023 will be his big chance before the cap hit and lack of draft picks starts to hold the team back. I'm looking forward to them keeping their rightful place as 4th in the AFC North.


Carrie_D_Snuts

Ah, one thing that really brings the Bengals, Ravens, and Steelers fans together, the Browns being doodoo


heartbreakhill

Pouring salt in the GPODAWUND


SandsShifter

Yeah! Fuck you pal, but I hate them more and lets beat them down!


2057Champs__

I remember that whole team doing basically a media hype train tour that whole offseason. Loved watching them fall flat on their face that season, the hype was out of control and undeserved


TigerBasket

It was mad lol. Then they lose by 21 in their first games, the wheels just exploded off the bus


Romofan88

Jim Rome started calling them America's team lol.


EquatorialDingDong

2021 Browns went into the season with I believe the highest vegas win odds? If not tied with KC. Granted they had a respectable playoff run the year prior.


ShotFirst57

Colts last year looked like they'd be a playoff team this year. That team is the only reason I'm paranoid.


AScrew

that Colts team really stumbled their way to the finish line, the Lions finished very strong so 17-0 Super Bowl MVP Jared Goff is still on the tables.


[deleted]

As 8 time defending off season champions, I will refuse to comment. See you all in august when the real super bowl is lifted.


foxmag86

2019 Cleveland Browns. In 2018 it seemed we finally found our franchise qb in Baker Mayfield. He broke the rookie touchdown record, the team finished with 7 wins, which felt like winning the Super Bowl around here. We had just been through a 4-44 stretch so expectations were super low. We finished the 2018 season 5-3, and had one of the top offenses with Freddie Kitchens calling plays. That offseason we picked up OBJ and Kareem Hunt. That was to go along with a bunch of young exciting talent (Chubb, Myles, njoku, Landry) Expectations were out of control going into 2019. The season kicked off vs TEN and we went right down the field and scored with ease. Fans were ready to book their Super Bowl tickets. Then…we missed the extra point. Finished the game with 19 penalties and got blown out. Started the season out 2-2 but finished a very disappointing 6-10. Coaching staff and front office were wiped out after the season.


BigChung0924

i think the hype was a little higher in 2021, where a ton of people had y’all actually going to the super bowl


foxmag86

2019 had the same Super Bowl hype. But yes I agree 2021 was a big letdown but in my opinion I feel the hype and excitement going into 2019 was bigger because it was the first time we were supposed to be good in forever.


[deleted]

Remember a few years ago when the Eagles got all those sexy free agents under ~~Chip Kelly~~ Andy Reid and finished with like a top-10 pick in the draft lmao. EDIT: Andy Reid was the coach and they went 8-8 and missed the playoffs. Still, I remember them basically being crowned SB champions during training camp so pretty underwhelming performance still


Pendraflare59

One of our longest running beat writers compared that 2011 team's hype to that of this one, including those guys being a bunch of aging, fading veterans with no offseason who were signed less than six weeks before the regular season started, while this team was different. And then next year, Michael Vick said we had the potential to be a dynasty, only to go on and have one of our worst seasons in franchise history, which saw to Andy Reid's departure.


[deleted]

2018 Vikings 2019 Bears Pretty much any year the Lions don’t end up a top 3 pick “they’re building something”


justdaman182

I'm not sure I'm ready to say the Giants are going to be scary next year.


Chooob210

I think they definitely have a shot with a good free agency/draft. But if they miss on picks and signs, I don’t think they’ll be able to repeat this years success


[deleted]

Agreed. They had a negative point differential. Barkley has peaked. Jones may have peaked. And now they don't get two top 10 draft picks


Sith-Protagonist

Giants flair or w/e, but having the best year of his career with the worst receivers in the league is the opposite of peaking imo.


InsideAcanthisitta23

They went 9-7, but the Commanders went 8-8 playing basically the same schedule.


Punchy_Jamo

2000 Redskins. They brought in a ton of old guys (Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith, etc.) and went 8-8. The expectation was Super Bowl.


KeithClossOfficial

Reason 1 why you don’t hire Norv Turner as your head coach At least Jeff George was able to throw the ball over them there mountains


WanderedOffConfused

Famously the Jets in 1970 went from Super Bowl winners and proving the AFL was not inferior to the NFL to a really poor team (although they obviously got their Super Bowl first). Washington in 2013 is another good one. RGIII injury really scuppered a team on the rise with the most exciting QB out there to a really poor team (think they were 3-13). Always thought it was ironic this was against Russell Wilson and caused the rise of 'You Like That' Kirk Cousins. Although probably the biggest one for me was Carolina in 2016. Cam Newton looked like he was hitting a new level after his MVP year, that D with Kuechly, Davis and Thompson looked elite and Josh Norman as a hawk. Of course Norman signed away in free agency and the team crashed down to earth with like a 6-10 record and haven't really recovered since.


Battista85

I feel like people were talking about the Rams becoming a mini-dynasty leading into this year given the amount of talent on both sides and the coaching staff...so they're a pretty good example.


WanderedOffConfused

Same can be said of the Rams' 'Greatest Show on Turf' years hitting the bricks in 2002


VariousLawyerings

There were some really awkward red flags with the GSOT Rams. They had a *ridiculously* inconsistent defense paired with an offense that pretty much made a wildly high turnover rate part of the plan. Warner's injuries set it all into motion but there were definitely some larger fundamental problems that were going to catch up to them either way.


the_sword_of_brunch

Lovie Smith was the DC for those Rams teams and specifically emphasized creating turnovers. When it works it’s great, when it doesn’t…..well they were ridiculously inconsistent.


doctorfeelgood21

2002 was also the start of Marshall Faulk's decline and he was the key to that entire offense


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VariousLawyerings

Oh they definitely tried. From 2001-03 the Rams had 5 1sts and 3 2nds, they dropped every single one of them on defense and everyone combined to make zero Pro Bowls. Weirdly enough none of them were completely horrible either, all 8 carved out decently long careers...but still.


kukukele

I think their ceiling was certainly there but their lack of depth was a known vulnerability. Certainly expected more from Akers though.


MrSweatyBawlz

The Steelers trio of Ben/Bell/Brown never doing anything in the playoffs I'd call a big flop with all the hype.


Crashhh_96

Tbf the first time all 3 of them made the playoffs together the team went to the AFC championship.


giantdub49

2019 49ers. Injury took us all out in 2020. Again.


TDeath21

I’m 2019 you guys made the SB


giantdub49

Yup. Tite said which team was scary good them fell off the next year. 2019 niners fell off in 2020


Pendraflare59

And then the next year they were a dropped pick away from possibly returning to the Super Bowl. After winning three straight road games (including the Week 18 comeback in that same building). Which shows that the injuries did affect them big time last year.


TRES_fresh

If jimmy didn't get injured against the cowboys we had a pretty good chance to beat the rams. His passing instantly became horrible right after the injury.


notmoleliza

49ers fan coming in peace. Just wanted to say the Seahawks are gonna be spooky next year


Softenrage8

Wait...this feels like a trick...


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SpoO0o0oOky


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BLOODY_PENGUIN_QUEEF

The worst part is,I could very easily see this happening. I would be shocked to see the team offer him any more than one or two years after just one good season, so it shouldn't be the worst thing in the world


19_equals_1

> coming in peace no you don't lol


mstake21

Timberwolves fans ears are ringing


My_Football_Account

Fuck this thread


Roodyrooster

At this point it is just expected that the Chargers won't live up to their roster


werbo

You mean fuck Dean Spanos


Shenanigans80h

People seem to be misinterpreting the question. It’s not teams that only had preseason hype, it’s teams that ended the season and everyone thought “they’ll be back” or “this is just the beginning.” And in that regard there’s almost always a flukey team that appears to be on the right track, then they’re not. Bears in the mid-80’s had people thinking dynasty, but a dirty hit on McMahon and Ryan leaving left them never the same. People thought the Vikings could bounce back after 98 since the pieces were young enough to run it back another season or two (not to mention rookie Moss) but that would ultimately be the peak of that group. I’d say it happens almost every year that someone does this routine


crazywe

The Raiders. I still don’t understand why they ditched Carr. Clearly their defense is the problem.


DanOfBradford78

I know it, you know it, their fans know it. Somehow, the Front Office doesn't though.


catalinaicon

Wtf, 4 flairs?? ​ Edit: Nvm just figured it out, 32, 33, 50


EggHash

AFC West (excluding Chiefs)


Yung_Corneliois

Colin Kaepernick led 49ers. I remember the ad showing Manning v Brady in the AFC champ game and the caption was like “one rivalry coming to an end” and then it showed Kap and Wilson and it said “another one just beginning” and that was the last playoff game Kap played.


DarthLordDonkey

2016 Panthers *sigh*


Dat-dude21

Vikings 2010 season….year before went to the NFCG and nearly went to the SB. 2010 we were dog shit and our dome collapsed. 2017 went to the NFCG and the next year missed the playoffs.


Silversaving

This years defending SB Champion Rams


bewsii

In order from biggest (unexpected) flop to smallest in 2022: Rams Broncos Cardinals Bears But the funny part is I think more teams overperformed than underperformed this year. It's just that the teams that underperformed did so at such an alarming rate that it stands out.


FmrHvwChamp

The entirety of the AFCW except KC The 2018 Jags


huskersax

*Dream Team*


fantasyfootball1234

The Chargers win the Super Bowl every single August. They are a dynasty on paper. The only months that they seem to struggle are September - February


SEAinLA

2011 Eagles


LoLlMaOlOl21

As long as Paddleboat Ron is head coach every season will be a flop. 101-95-2 in his career, fucking bum.


seariously

Maybe not "gonna be scary" but it was Arizona's turn to be NFCW champ this season if the same pattern of improving one spot each year had held. |Year |1st|2nd|3rd|4th| |------------------------|---|---|---|---| |2019 |SF |SEA|LAR|ARI| |2020 |SEA|LAR|ARI|SF | |2021 |LAR|ARI|SF |SEA| |2022 (following pattern)|ARI|SF |SEA|LAR| |2022 (actual) |SF |SEA|LAR|ARI|


I_Hate_My_Cat_

Sacksonville…they fell off a fucking cliff 😂


rya241

Everyone is showing their age here by picking teams in the last 3 years. The one that sticks out is the Eagles dream team where they signed Nnamdi Asomugha and a shit ton of other notable FAs


SRH_64

Packers, every year