Arizona Cardinals Podcasts

Ep. 659 - Cardinals cornerbacks coach Ryan Smith joined Paul Calvisi and Ron Wolfley to talk about the addition of free agent Sean Murphy-Bunting, the future of young CBs Garrett Williams and Kei'Trel Clark and what he looks for when evaluating talent at the position. Smith also talks about attending a small boarding school during his high school years, how he can use his personal experiences as a teaching tool in Arizona and playing for the legendary Jimmye Laycock at William & Mary. Plus, Calvisi and Wolf talk about some of the top pass rushers in the NFL Draft and look back to 1997 when the Cardinals took local hero quarterback Jake Plummer in the second round.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 743 - If wide receiver is the biggest need on offense, then outside linebacker/edge rusher is the biggest need on defense. At least that’s how Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi see it heading into the draft. (Cornerback is a close second.) Last season, the Cardinals ranked near the bottom in sacks plus had among the higher numbers in both opponent quarterback rating and opponent completion percentage. So, how do the Cardinals address the position? Good question. The latest Mel Kiper Jr. mock draft has one scenario, one in which the Cardinals stick-and-pick and select Marvin Harrison Jr. What happens, though, if there is a trade down? What might be the price to move off the fourth overall pick and is there a team willing, and more importantly able, to pay such a cost?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 89 - Ya viene lo mejor del 2024 para nuestros Cardinals. Luis Hernández y Rolando Cantú nos tienen la mejor información relacionada al nido. El NFL Draft está a la vuelta de la esquina y ya la directiva del equipo está preparada para que sea una jornada inolvidable. Ustedes ya están listos?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mocking Darren Urban for his mock draft work? Sounds about right. But Darren, Paul Calvisi and Dani Sureck are maneuvering through the draft silly season as best they can. With a few weeks to go, there are still lots of scenarios - some with trades, some with QB cornucopias, adding to the debate that includes drafting for 2025, top 7 wide receiver picks, inside linebacker importance, running backs on the draft radar, finding players who will stick their face in the fan, the upcoming start of the offseason program, trading up from 27, and the trio’s thoughts on their own Masters meal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NFL Draft is just over two weeks away. Craig Grialou, Paul Calvisi and Kyle Vanden Bosch discuss what’s currently going on in draft rooms across the NFL, the potential for the Cardinals to add to the offensive line early in the draft and who might be joining the wide receiver room. Plus, what kind of roles will free agent additions Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones have on the defensive line?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 742 - After a quick debrief on the solar eclipse - or the lack thereof in Arizona - Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman dive into the draft, focusing on the offensive side of the line of scrimmage. The annual draft primer series - a position-by-position look at the Cardinals’ draft needs - begins this week on azcardinals.com. No question wide receiver is the biggest need. The offensive line also is high on the need list. There are only three players: Paris Johnson Jr., Jonah Williams, and Jon Gaines who are signed beyond 2024. What about quarterback? Running back? Tight end? How might Monti Ossenfort address those positions, especially knowing he has - at least right now - 11 total picks in his collection? Time will tell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 658 - Coach Derrick LeBlanc joined Paul Calvisi and Ron Wolfley to discuss free agent additions to the Cardinals defensive line like Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones, returning players L.J. Collier and Dante Stills and what traits he likes to have in his position group. LeBlanc also talks about growing up in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, crawfish boils and more. Plus, Calvisi and Wolf chat about the current makeup of the wide receiver room and who might be joining group after the 2024 NFL Draft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 741 - It is the Cardinals’ biggest need, especially on offense. Wide receiver. And specifically, a true No. 1 receiver, or at worst, a receiver who can be paired with Michael Wilson. The wide receiver talk is getting louder because of, not only the need, but where the Cardinals select, which prospects were reportedly in town for visits, and the blockbuster trade between the Bills and Texans. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss how the Cardinals might address wide receiver, whether that’s early or late in the first round. Also, might we see a repeat performance out of Monti Ossenfort in terms of a trade down and then a move back up? Last year’s draft room video resurfaced on social media this week. Why?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 88 - Ya estamos en el mes de abril y cada vez falta menos para el NFL Draft 2024. Será acaso que Monti Ossenfort ya sabe que hará la noche del jueves 25? Luis Hernández y Rolando Cantú nos cuentan el último rumor en cuanto un posible cambio entre los Cardenales y los Vikings de Minnesota. Es el momento más importante para cualquier franquicia de la NFL.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sure, the draft is still a few weeks away, but in the end, that’s where the conversation is going to drift. So here Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban, and Dani Sureck discuss the quarterbacks rising/falling/holding firm in the draft talk, what teams might want to draft a QB (and perhaps talk to the Cardinals about a trade), why any trade would be unlikely before draft night, way too many mock drafts, defining “generational,” the Cardinals’ biggest roster needs right now, the importance of nailing the first-round picks, Cheeto the dog and Paul’s obsession with the coming eclipse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One snap. That’s what separates a backup quarterback from being thrust into the spotlight of a starting role. The Cardinals solidified their QB room recently when they acquired Desmond Ridder via trade with the Atlanta Falcons. Ridder, a 15-game starter in 2023, has the experience teams crave in their backup signal caller. Craig Grialou, Paul Calvisi and Rob Fredrickson discuss Ridder’s arrival in the desert. Plus, thoughts on the future of linebacker Zaven Collins and the depth of the wide receiver position. It’s likely the Cardinals will take a receiver or two in the NFL Draft. But at what point?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 740 - It’s been a bit quiet on the free-agent front. Yes, the Cardinals are paying attention to those players still on the market - heck, they may even have an interest in signing one, two, or more of them - but, for the moment, their focus has shifted to the draft, which is less than four weeks away. Regardless of if it’s free agency or the draft, there are needs that must be addressed. Edge rusher may be the biggest. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss how the Cardinals may want to strengthen the position, including Year 2 improvement from both Zaven Collins and BJ Ojulari. Plus, when it comes to the top three wide receivers in this year’s draft class, are our expectations for their projected success too high?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 657 - Cardinals play-by-play voice Dave Pasch joined Paul Calvisi and Ron Wolfley to talk about his favorite moves in free agency, the many options Monti Ossenfort will have in the upcoming NFL Draft, the top prospects available, numerous rule changes coming this fall and much more. Plus, Calvisi and Wolf compare and contrast the top wide receivers in the draft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 739 - Fans are guaranteed to see at least two kickoffs every game. And last season, kickoffs were an afterthought. That’s about to change with the league approving new kickoff rules for 2024. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss what it’s going to look like and, more importantly, how the Cardinals will likely benefit from the new approach; and maybe why they made DeeJay Dallas an early signing in free agency. Also, the guys go over some of the other news and notes from the Annual League Meeting; what the latest mock drafts are saying about the Cardinals and the fourth overall pick; plus Desmond Ridder addressed reporters this week, what did he say and how does he fit within his new team’s quarterback room?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darren Urban has returned from the NFL meetings - hence the day’s delay for the podcast - and so he, Paul Calvisi, and Dani Sureck have plenty to talk about, including what the Cardinals could do at No. 4 in the draft. A trade? What would the “QB surcharge” might be? Discussion points include J.J. McCarty’s “rise” on draft boards and Drake Maye’s “drop,” options the Cardinals might have, dumb trade suggestions floating out there, “It’s good to be Monti,” the Cardinals holding another joint practice, two Wednesday games on Christmas, one division for Hard Knocks, and Dani’s resemblance to Susanna Hoffs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does the 2024 NFL Draft run through Arizona? Craig Grialou, Paul Calvisi and Kyle Vanden Bosch discuss what one particular NFL head coach had to say about the position GM Monti Ossenfort and the Cardinals are in heading into the Draft next month and if Ossenfort will remain open for business up until he's set to make a pick. Plus, the guys give their takes on the multiple additions across the defensive line and are also joined from Orlando by Darren Urban to get a breakdown of the Annual League Meeting and the new rule changes for the 2024 season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 738 - No team is in better position for the 2024 NFL Draft than the Arizona Cardinals. Or, more specifically, no *one person* as Broncos head coach Sean Payton said on Monday from the Annual League Meeting in Orlando. With the fourth overall pick, the Cardinals are the talk of the league. Darren Urban heard all the talk. From Orlando, he joins Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi to discuss what it may take for Monti Ossenfort to part with the team’s first first-round selection. Can a team make Ossenfort an offer he can’t refuse? Plus, Grialou and Calvisi revisit an earlier conversation concerning a former Cardinals draft pick. Why are they revisiting it? Well, because the player’s name has once again resurfaced in the rumor mill.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 656 - New Cardinals defensive lineman Bilal Nichols joined Paul Calvisi to talk about his path to Arizona, the mindset it takes to defend the run, his memories of trying to defend quarterback Kyler Murray and much more. Plus, Calvisi and Ron Wolfley discuss the possibility of the Cardinals getting a deal they can't refuse for the number four pick in the upcoming draft and the potential impact of linebacker Mack Wilson and cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 737 - Do you love ball? And do you put team first? That’s how Jonathan Gannon defines the price of admission to be an Arizona Cardinal. And, yes, being a good football player is a must. All nine players – to date – signed in free agency paid the price of admission. Gannon and Monti Ossenfort met the media on Wednesday to discuss the moves made thus far. What did they say? Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck go over some of the highlights; the focus on defense, specifically defensive line; don’t ask – though it was asked – where Jonah Williams and Paris Johnson will line up; Desmond Ridder’s experience played a big factor in his acquisition; fielding trade calls for the No. 4 overall pick; plus “the brutal” decision Ossenfort made to release D.J. Humphries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Still more than a month to the draft, but there are free agents to analyze and lots of what-ifs of what the Cardinals might do in late April. Perfect podcast fodder for Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck, who discuss if Minnesota will want to package its two first-round picks to move up (and what that might mean); the importance of wide receiver for the Cardinals and the current regime; the smokescreen period of the NFL; the friendship and potential impact of Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones; Mack Wilson’s potential in the defense; what Sean Murphy-Bunting can do at cornerback; moving on from Hollywood and Rondale; and not forgetting aliens, casitas, snail mail and how QBs once sat for five years to learn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.