Cardinals Cover 2

Ep. 815 - Six sacks, two by Zaven Collins (Angry Bird Award winner). More than 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Cardinals controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in what was an impressive 29-9 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. And, yeah, it rained. Briefly, but it rained inside State Farm Stadium. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi look back at the Cardinals’ Week 9 performance. They discuss the defense, which for the second time in three games held an opponent without a touchdown; the offense, which saw three players score their first touchdowns of the season; and spotlight special teams, which continues to impress during the team’s current three-game winning streak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 814 - New month. New Arizona Cardinals? We’ll find out soon enough. On Sunday, they play their first game as a first-place team. Wins in three of their past four games, including two in a row, has put the Cardinals in a position they haven’t been in a while. So, how do they handle their recent success? How do they keep the main thing the main thing as is so often said by coaches and players? Again, we’ll find out this weekend when the Chicago Bears visit State Farm Stadium. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman look ahead to the Week 9 matchup; discuss the who will and who won’t be playing; and they head into enemy territory and speak with Kevin Fishbain, senior writer for The Athletic, who covers the Bears.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 813 - The first place Arizona Cardinals were back at work on Wednesday. Coaches, players; everyone was in a good mood. And why not. The Cardinals have won two in a row and three of their last four games. Yet, no one is satisfied. Kyler Murray said as much when he met with reporters. Yes, the Cardinals are in a good place, but there’s still a lot of season left, including a matchup against one of the better defenses in the league on Sunday. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss how the Cardinals are handling success. Plus, the two talk about Darius Robinson’s continued absence from practice; Jonah Williams’ return to practice; how well the offensive line has played recently; and what milestone James Conner reaches in Week 9.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 812 - From Kyler Murray to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride on offense to Budda Baker leading the defense, the Cardinal’s big-time players made big-time plays in big-time spots. And let’s not forget special teams. All had a hand in the team’s 28-27 come-from-behind victory at the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. That’s two straight wins for the first time since 2021. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss what it all means. Spoiler alert: the Cardinals are in first place through eight games. (Who cares that it’s only October.) By the way, with so many players coming up big in Week 8, Paul had several nominations for the Angry Bird Award. No spoilers here; listen and find out who won.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 811 - It’s been 46 games since the Cardinals last won back-to-back games. In other words, it’s been way too long. So, is this the week the drought ends? Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman look ahead to Sunday’s game at the Miami Dolphins. Remember, it’s a short week and the Cardinals will be short-handed. Sean Murphy-Bunting and Roy Lopez won’t play due to injury. Craig and Zach discuss who will likely fill those roles at cornerback and defensive line, respectively. Also, the guys head into enemy territory and speak with Travis Wingfield from miamidolphins.com. The big news surrounding the Dolphins is the return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 810 - Seven games into the season, the Cardinals have shown they can run the ball, and run the ball quite well. They have not shown, however, that they can throw the ball with any consistency. The passing game has yet to meet expectations; that fans have and, more importantly, that Kyler Murray has given his playmakers. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss what Kyler had to say Wednesday. Plus, they talk about how to get Marvin Harrison Jr. more involved, the challenge that is the Dolphins defense, the rotation at right guard, who steps up now that Dennis Gardeck is done for the season, and a quick check of the NFC West standings shows the Cardinals are in good position. Can they take advantage?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 809 - Monday Night Football. It’s a big deal. It’s been a big deal for more than five decades. The Cardinals, though, have not played on Monday night since 2022. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman look ahead to the primetime matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cardinals will try to bounce back from a bad loss the week prior. The good news is that it looks like Kyler Murray will have his full complement of wide receivers for the first time; Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) has practiced each of the past two days and Zay Jones (suspension) is expected to make his season debut. Also, the guys head into enemy territory and speak with Eric Smith, the editorial director of chargers.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 808 - No, the Cardinals have not gotten off to the start that they had hoped. Yet, a third of the way through the season, they remain “a player” within the NFC, and more importantly, the NFC West. The NFL is “setup for parity,” according to ESPN Analyst Louis Riddick, who joined both Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck on Wednesday. Riddick, who will be on the call for Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, praised Kyler Murray, James Conner, and Trey McBride among others, while questioning - as many have - how many more injuries the defense can endure. Before that conversation, Craig and Dani discuss who was and who wasn’t at the week’s first practice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 807 - Winning in the NFL is already hard enough. The Cardinals made it a heck of a lot more difficult on themselves in Green Bay. Too many penalties. Too many turnovers. Too many negative plays. “If you beat yourself, you’re not going to beat anybody; we played versus two opponents today,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said following the 34-13 loss to the Packers. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi, who has dried off after a rainy Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field, discuss what happened. And it wasn’t just the penalties and the turnovers that hurt the team, injuries - to key players - played a significant role as well. It’s why Paul named center Hjalte Froholdt his Angry Bird Award winner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 806 - For the first time since 2018, the Arizona Cardinals visit historic Lambeau Field. It snowed - and snowed a lot - the last time the Cardinals played in Green Bay. No chance of snow on Sunday but there is a chance of rain. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman look ahead to the Week 6 matchup against the Packers. They have the latest injury news; will Darius Robinson and Zay Jones play and what is the status of kicker Matt Prater? Plus, they head into enemy territory and speak with Green Bay TV reporter Kyle Malzhan, who covers the Packers. By the way, with a win - thanks to the 49ers beating the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football - the Cardinals will move into first place in the NFC West.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 805 - It’s been a little while since Darius Robinson has been seen on the field. That changed Wednesday when the Cardinals rookie defensive lineman had his practice window opened. He can be activated to the 53-man roster at any point over the next three weeks. Is this the week? Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss Robinson’s potential return. Other topics include Zay Jones’ availability after learning of the news Chris Moore has been released; the different options at right guard following the season-ending knee injury to Will Hernandez; how do the coaches get Rabbit Taylor-Demerson snaps when Garrett Williams returns; and what does Dani have planned for the trip to Green Bay?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 804 - Now that’s how you respond after a difficult loss. There may not be a more satisfying win all season. On the road. Division opponent. Down 13 at halftime, 10 heading into the fourth quarter. Nice job, Cardinals. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss the 24-23 come-from-behind victory at the San Francisco 49ers. And, oh yeah, it was hot on Sunday; very hot, which Paul can attest to. Big plays were made by Kyler Murray and James Conner, who earned this week’s Angry Bird Award; also shout-out the offensive line. And then the defense, for the second time in three games, pitched a second-half shutout with three takeaways and turnover on downs. Happy Victory Monday, everyone!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 803 - It’s been a long week. Losing happens, yes. But losing like that, by 28 points despite a relatively healthy roster, is not something the Cardinals had ever experienced under head coach Jonathan Gannon. So, here’s the question: what is the team’s response on Sunday in San Francisco? We’ll find out soon enough. In the meantime, Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck look ahead to the matchup against the 49ers, the first of two meetings this season. Also, they discuss the latest injury news - good news on tight end Trey McBride, uncertain news for kicker Matt Prater - and head into enemy territory. Lindsey Pallares, team reporter for 49ers.com, joins the show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 802 - He’s only one player. And he only missed one game. But when Kyler Murray says it’ll be “huge” to have Trey McBride back on the field this week, that means something. And it might mean a lot for an offense that has been held to 13 and 14 points, respectively, the past two weeks. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss McBride’s potential return. Darius Robinson, however, is not returning this week, and that’s disappointing. Craig and Dani also talk about Kyler’s running; Marvin Harrison Jr.’s catching; how well Paris Johnson Jr. has played left tackle; the challenge of facing the 49ers on Sunday; and give a shout-out to Jon Gaines, one of Dani’s favorites.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 801 - No excuses. Not after that game. The Cardinals did not look good, they did not play good and the end result was a 42-14 home loss to the Washington Commanders. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss what happened in Week 4, from a defense that could not stop the run nor get consistent pressure on Jayden Daniels to an offense that has no trouble scoring on its opening possession only to go cold for much of the rest of the game. So, what are the solutions? Where do the Cardinals go from here? All great questions. The guys have their thoughts. Also, Paul hands out his weekly Angry Bird Award. It goes to second-year cornerback Garrett Williams, whose interception was one of the few bright spots on Sunday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 800 - No one will say it publicly, but how can it not be just another game? Not when the former head coach is on the other sideline, calling plays trying to beat a handful of the same players he once went to battle with. It should be interesting on Sunday with Kliff Kingsbury back at State Farm Stadium. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman look ahead to the matchup against the Washington Commanders; a matchup in which the Cardinals will not have tight end Trey McBride or defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga. How does that change things? The good news: both safety Budda Baker and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will be available after landing on the injury report this week. Also, they head into enemy territory and speak with Zach Selby. He covers the Commanders for commanders.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 799 - Kliff is back. So, too, is Jayden Daniels. And don’t forget about Zach Ertz. Sure, there are a handful of others, be it coaches and players with connections to the Cardinals who will be back at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, but it’s Kliff Kingsbury’s return that is grabbing most, if not all, of the headlines. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss what it’s going to be like with Kliff in the building and Kyler Murray on the opposite sideline. Big deal or not a big deal? Also, the latest on Justin Jones, Kelvin Beachum and Jackson Barton; and is that Marvin Harrison Jr. and Budda Baker on the injury report? Good thing it’s early in the week. Plus, everything in the run game and the pass game is correctable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 798 - Not sure you could’ve asked for much more out of the defense. They pitched a shutout in the second half. The offense, however, couldn’t take advantage. No run game. No downfield passing game. No sustained drives. It’s left everyone with the opposite feeling compared to this time a week ago. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss all that happened - and what didn’t happen - in Sunday’s 20-13 loss to the Detroit Lions. And though there is no Paul Calvisi - as we like to say, he’s on assignment the day after the game - the Angry Bird Award is still handed out. Both Craig and Dani agree Mack Wilson Sr. is worthy of the recognition for the plays he made and that one play he did but it didn’t count.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 797 - Despite the loss last week, the Detroit Lions are a good football team. Very good in the eyes of head coach Jonathan Gannon, who several times mentioned the test his team faces in Week 3. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman give their thoughts on Sunday’s matchup, which is the second of three straight games at State Farm Stadium for the Cardinals. The guys discuss the availability of right tackle Kelvin Beachum and how the offensive line needs to slow down the league’s top sack artist in Aidan Hutchinson. They then get the thoughts of Matt Dery as the show heads into enemy territory. Dery is the host of the Locked On Lions podcast. Finally, stay listening for Zach’s predictions. He gives three.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 796 - A 41-point performance that sees the quarterback record a perfect passer rating, the running back top 100 rushing yards and the wide receiver score his first two career touchdowns, yeah, that is going to overshadow pretty much anything else that happened. That said, Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck give the defense its flowers. Specifically, they highlight Budda Baker and Dennis Gardeck, two of the longest-tenured Cardinals on that side of the ball. Baker led the team in tackles, flying all over the field. Gardeck set career highs in both sacks and tackles for loss. Also, there are conversations about the tight end position, offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum, defensive lineman L.J. Collier and girls flag football.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.