Cardinals Cover 2

Ep. 884 - And now we know the when. The Arizona Cardinals schedule is out. It was released with much fanfare – more on that later. The who and the where have been known for months and on Wednesday, we got the when. Craig Grialou, Dani Sureck and Paul Calvisi dive into the 18-week, 17-game schedule. What do they like? What do they not like? How many primetime games did the Cardinals get? When is the bye week? And how many ‘revenge’ games are there? (Yes, Paul is keeping track.) Now, about the fanfare. “Rocketship,” aka inside linebacker Mack Wilson Sr., rapped the schedule. That’s right, rapped. To hear the song and to see the video, visit the Cardinals YouTube page or download the audio by searching Arizona Cardinals Music on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 883 - Rookies. Veterans. The entire team is together for the first time. That’s what Monday signaled, the next step in the offseason. (By the way, shout-out GM Monti Ossenfort, the architect of said team; he delivered the commencement address at his alma mater on Saturday.) After giving Monti his due, Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss rookie minicamp; why Hayden Conner may be an early candidate for Paul’s breakout player of camp; wonder if a move is needed in the wide receiver room; and then look ahead to Wednesday’s schedule release. The Cardinals are playing the NFC South, AFC South and third place teams from the NFC North (Packers), NFC East (Cowboys) and AFC North (Bengals).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 882 - It’s been a busy two days for Jordan Burch. He, and the other rookies, arrived Thursday. Then Friday the seven-player draft class and six undrafted free agents gathered on the practice field for the start of rookie minicamp. In addition, Burch added a stop in the radio studio to speak with Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck about his time at Oregon, expectations for Year 1 with the Cardinals, learning the playbook, first impressions of the coaching staff, reuniting with high school teammate Xavier Thomas and the differences he sees between putting his hand in the dirt versus standing up on the edge. Also, Craig and Dani discuss what they saw while they were allowed to watch the rookies practice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 881 - Two weeks after they heard their names selected, the Arizona Cardinals’ seven-player draft class arrives at the Dignity Health Training Center on Thursday. Ahead of rookie minicamp, which also will include a half dozen undrafted free agents and a handful of tryout players, Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss who they are most looking forward to seeing on the field. Obviously, first-round defensive lineman Walter Nolen III is a given. And then there’s cornerback Will Johnson, how does he carry himself? What about outside linebacker Jordan Burch, does he look the part? Does linebacker Cody Simon command the field? And what about the undrafted rookies, might one or more impress?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 880 - Six free agents. Six draft picks. In just two months, the Arizona Cardinals have added 12 new players to the defense. And now, it’s up to Nick Rallis to figure out how they all fit together. While he does that - and he’s got four months before the season starts - Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi have a way-too-early conversation about the defense. What will it look like? Might there be a scheme change or adjustment based on the new personnel? How do draft picks Walter Nolen III, Will Johnson and Jordan Burch factor in? Also, can Ohio State teammates Cody Simon and Denzel Burke, a pair of Day 3 selections, make enough of an impression in the offseason to have a role, or maybe even start, in Week 1?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 879 - To players, to fans; yes, numbers matter. Specifically, jersey numbers. On Wednesday, the Cardinals’ seven-player draft class received their first jersey numbers. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss what numbers stood out, like Cody Simon being issued No. 50; does this mean he’ll be in the middle of the defense as an inside linebacker? And how cool is it that Will Johnson will wear ‘0’ as an outside cornerback? There are other numbers to mention; Calais Campbell (93) and Dalvin Tomlinson (94) will continue to sport the digits they’ve worn their entire pro careers; Josh Sweat (10) and Baron Browning (5) are changing their numbers; while Jacoby Brissett (7) will wear a familiar number to Cardinals fans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 878 - The grades are in. So, how do the experts feel GM Monti Ossenfort did with his selections in the 2025 NFL Draft? Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss some of what has been written since the end of the draft on Saturday. A lot of the words written has focused on the Cardinals’ first three picks: DT Walter Nolen III, CB Will Johnson, and Edge Jordan Burch. In total, Ossenfort made seven picks, six on the defensive side of the ball, which, depending on what you read, received either an ‘A’ or ‘B’ grade. Also, Craig and Zach go over the six rookie free agents signed on Monday. Three of the six were offensive lineman, including Josh Fryar out of Ohio State, where his position coach was current Cardinals offensive line coach Justin Frye.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 877 - Four picks on Saturday. Seven picks overall. Nearly every pick, six, went towards the defensive side of the ball. Yes, the real winner of the 2025 NFL Draft is defensive coordinator Nick Rallis; so many new toys to play with, and don’t forget about all the defensive additions in free agency. Craig Grialou, Dani Sureck and Paul Calvisi – it’s another Cover 3 edition – talk about the most recent selections: Ohio State inside linebacker Cody Simon (fourth round, 115th overall), Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward (fifth round, 174th overall), Texas offensive lineman Hayden Conner (sixth round, 211th overall), and Nevada safety Kitan Crawford (seventh round, 225th overall). Also, the three discuss what GM Monti Ossenfort and assistant GM Dave Sears had to say about the seven-player draft class.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 876 – On Friday, the Cardinals doubled down on defense in the 2025 NFL Draft. Again, are we surprised? OK, maybe a little, but defense has been the team’s MO all offseason. Craig Grialou, Dani Sureck and Paul Calvisi – call it Cover 3 – talk about the selections of Michigan cornerback Will Johnson (second round, 47th overall pick) and Oregon Edge rusher Jordan Burch (third round, 78th overall pick). For those keeping track, that’s three defensive players in the first three rounds. Also, what did GM Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon have to say about Johnson and Burch, why they were the picks; why Monti didn’t decide to trade down despite offers; and JG explains why Walter Nolen III is already off to a great start.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 875 – As Paul Calvisi likes to say, players know players. So, why don’t we get a players’ perspective on Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen III. And it makes sense to hear from a defensive player, right? Well, for the first time in this show’s history, Adrian Wilson stops by. That’s right, Cardinals legend and Ring of Honor member Adrian Wilson joins Calvisi and Craig Grialou. Exactly what are the Cardinals getting in Nolen, who was the 16th pick on night one of the 2025 NFL Draft? What type of player is the 6-foot-4, 296-pound defensive lineman? How will Nolen benefit from a loaded d-line room and veterans like Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson? A-Dub answers all that and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 874 – Why was Walter Nolen III the selection with the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft? In a word, disruptive. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman are back to further discuss the defensive tackle out of Ole Miss. First, they are joined by former Cardinals linebacker Rob Fredrickson; why he likes the addition, what it means for the defense. Later, Craig and Zach are joined by Dani Sureck; call it Cover 3 for the rest of the show. Dani gives her thoughts on Nolen; why the pick made so much sense, how Nolen fits inside a crowded defensive line room. Also, Dani shares her conversations with GM Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon; both of whom she spoke with immediately after Nolen was announced as the pick by the Commissioner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 873 - With the 16th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select: Walter Nolen III, defensive tackle, Ole Miss. Really not a surprise. The Cardinals have prioritized defense for much of the offseason, starting with free agency and again here with their first-round pick. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman react in real time just moments after Nolen was selected and held a conference call with local reporters. The guys explain why they like the pick; what Nolen had to say about joining the Cardinals; what some of the draft analysts thought about Nolen heading into the draft; and what this now means for what is a very loaded defensive line room, which is not a bad thing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 872 - Everyone is familiar with the Swedish rock band Europe, right? No? Well, everyone is - or should be - familiar with “The Final Countdown,” their one and only hit song. Heck, even Zach Gershman knows the music; and after humming a few bars, he and Craig Grialou have one final conversation about the 2025 NFL Draft. What do the latest mock drafts say? Who’s been mocked to the Cardinals at 16 the most? Plus, the two give their own thoughts on what direction they think the team should go in the first round. Also, players are back in the building; the offseason strength and conditioning program is underway. And on Day 1, we heard from Paris Johnson Jr., Michael Wilson and Garrett Williams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 871 - Three days, Bird Gang. Three days until the start of the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s been a long wait, and now that wait is just about over. So, what’s the latest buzz? What is the latest talk, not only league-wide but focused on the Arizona Cardinals? Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss what they’ve heard, what they’ve read; what positions make the most sense with the 16th overall pick. Also, the two examine the list of draft prospects brought in for 30 visits, what possibly can be learned from those reported trips to the team’s facility; and might the Cardinals have a coaching staff advantage when it comes to evaluating draft prospects. First though, Craig and Paul light the Dortch; they talk about Greg Dortch signing his one-year tender.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 870 – It’s become an annual spring tradition: the pre-draft press conference. GMs, and often head coaches, meet with the media and answer questions ahead of the NFL Draft. A lot of words are spoken, but not a lot is said. To put it another way, no one is going to tip their hand or show their cards. Everything is kept very close to the vest. (Have we used enough idioms?!) Still, that doesn’t stop people, including Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck, from trying to read between the lines. Will Monti Ossenfort stick-and-pick at 16? Trade down? Trade up? All options appear to be on the table. All positions, or most positions, seem to be on the table with that first-round selection regardless of what the team has done in free agency. In other words, stay tuned.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 869 - Another day, another day closer to the NFL Draft. Many draft experts, including multiple on this show, have raved about the depth at defensive line in this year's class. But, with the additions of Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell, will the Cardinals target a different position in the first round? Dani Sureck and Zach Gershman discuss all the possibilities. Could it be an offensive lineman? Cornerback? Could it even be a wide receiver at pick 16? Plus, the two talk about what Trey McBride's contract extension says about the organization and how Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon value their own players.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 868 – Cardinals tight end Trey McBride joins Paul Calvisi and Darren Urban to discuss his new four-year contract extension that keeps him signed through the 2029 season. McBride talks about what he was doing when he got the news from his agents, what it’s like to be the NFL’s highest-paid tight end, his future development and the upside of the Cardinals offense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 867 - Six picks. One in each of the first five rounds. The Cardinals don’t have nearly the draft capital as they did a year ago. Still, GM Monti Ossenfort should be able to find some solid players, starters even despite the lack of a lot of star power in the 2025 NFL Draft. That’s how Paige Dimakos of The Draft Network sized up the draft when she joined the show from the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. In addition to the conversation with Dimakos, Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck look at a couple of more mock drafts, ones that target the line of scrimmage but on the offensive side, and discuss why defensive tackle remains in play at pick 16 even after the addition of Calais Campbell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 866 - It may be April Fools' Day but this is no joke. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell, one of the most popular players in modern Cardinals history, is returning to Arizona on a one-year deal. Paul Calvisi and Dani Sureck gather for an impromptu pod to share memories of Calais and forecast what he can mean for the 2025 Cardinals both on and off the field. Entering his 18th NFL season, Campbell is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and has earned many off-field honors including the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 865 - Offensive line. Defensive line. Cornerback. What about wide receiver? With the offseason moves he’s made already, GM Monti Ossenfort can go a number of different directions with the 16th overall pick. And as of now, he has six total picks to work with in the 2025 NFL Draft. So, what positions should be targeted with those selections? Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi have some suggestions, and they look at a handful of the recent mock drafts to gain a better idea of what the experts think. Also, the league is proposing rule changes for the upcoming season. Craig and Paul weigh in on banning the ‘Tush Push,’ amending the current playoff seeding format, and the dynamic kickoff among other possible changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.