Cardinals Underground

It’s chilly here in Tempe - why else would Paul Calvisi wear two jackets? - but if there had been an NFL game here it would have been indoors. That wasn’t true around the NFL, but should it be? Or is snow and sleet what football is about? Paul, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck chat about that, as well as how “advantage” should homefield advantage be, how the Eagles have built a team that looks like what the Cardinals want to be, the ethics of the QB slide, valuing the ball and how it pays off in the postseason, Chiefs fatigue, Jayden Daniels with Kliff Kingsbury, how Trey Benson reminds Paul of Saquon Barkley, seeking pass rushers in the draft, and what our trio might’ve collected once upon a time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Calvisi is a reader. Or at least he claims to be, especially when he wants to teach Darren a thing or two about leadership. Reading is fundamental, right A.J. Brown? With the Wild Card playoff game moving to State Farm Stadium, Paul, Darren and Dani Sureck talk about the NFL’s big shift from L.A., Paul’s volunteerism, seeking defensive lineman at the Senior Bowl, the pros and cons of doughnuts, Budda’s All-Pro status, their votes for Cardinals awards, the upcoming rookie jumps, Larry’s Legendary Run on video, and Dani’s fear of a TikTok ban.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s not surprising that Paul Calvisi isn’t staying up with the latest celebrity news - although he does come up with a movie analogy for the Cardinals at the end of this week’s podcast. In the meantime, he, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck discuss Trey McHurdle, MHJ’s rookie season, upgrading the passing game, the price of rookie dinners, a Budda Baker I-Team report, the mind of Nick Rallis, Kyzir White’s future, the Petzing/Kyler paring, and in lieu of The Wise Guy, a special trivia question for Paul.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the new year begins and Dani Sureck refuses to give us any karaoke examples on air, Paul Calvisi and Darren Urban are still willing to talk Cardinals, like that last unlucky interception in L.A., Trey McBride’s monster season, the need for better red-zone results, Marvin Harrison Jr.’s good game and continued improvement, whether we see James Conner in the finale, Michael Carter’s swag, a reunion against Joshua Dobbs, who the Cardinals will play in 2025, what the NFC West could look like in 2025, and a solid season-ender for The Wise Guy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your holiday shopping isn’t done, you better get on it. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck understand slow starts; they break down the Cardinals’ own slow start in a difficult overtime loss in Carolina that ended playoff chances. On a short week, the trio discuss what one moment/stretch in a game would they like back; the injuries that whacked the offense over the last week, locking down McBride in Carolina, the continuing learning curve for Marvin Harrison Jr., struggles on defense, looking for a speed wide receiver, the benefits of the Budda signing, the Pop-Tart Bowl and innovative trophies, and a huge moment for Paul on The Wise Guy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cardinals are still alive in the playoff chase, and Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck feel that intensity - especially when Paul and Darren debate (is that what you call it?) the team reaching expectations this season. That’s the gooey center of this week’s holidayish treat, of which topics include the wedding luck of Dave Pasch, a run game that could feast in Carolina, DeeJay Dallas chaos, Kyler seeking TD passes, Marvin Harrison Jr.’s season close-out, Jonah Williams scoring a touchdown, a tough The Wise Guy hit for Paul, driverless cars, and the idea of dressing your car like a reindeer (Dani feels some kind of way.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some tours yield $2 billion (right, Taylor Swift?), some tours just bring Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Dureck back into the studio each week for tremendous podcasting even though they aren’t getting Juan Soto money. The trio discuss the Cardinals’ mode of play against the Seahawks after it was broached by Jonathan Gannon, the need to cut down on recent penalties, the line play since the bye on both sides of the ball, Kyler Murray’s struggles of late, the Patriots turning to Drake Maye, what it would take for the wild card, Budda Baker on a rampage, and Cheers to another edition of The Wise Guy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Locked in for the stretch run? Dani Sureck sure is after going undefeated with her 15-0 week on picks. Now the Cardinals need to get there too with what has turned out to be a crucial game at home against the Seahawks. Win and move back to first place. Lose and see the mountain get incredibly steep. So Dani, Paul Calvisi and Darren Urban talk about what the Cardinals need to do after heartbreak in Minnesota (more TDs!), and discuss the roller-coaster of the end of the game, coming home to avoid the silent count, dominating the Vikings, the heater of Trey McBride, the Seahawks stealing one in New York, dealing with Leonard Williams, Darius Robinson’s impact going forward, brain rot, The Wise Guy battle and did we mention Dani’s perfect week?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s nearly Thanksgiving, although Dani Sureck is foregoing her beloved green bean casserole despite her strong feelings on the subject. We can’t always get what we want, like the Cardinals wanting to emerge from Seattle with a win, now having to face a strong Vikings team in frigid Minnesota (yes, we know the game is inside.) Dani joins Paul Calvisi and Darren Urban to discuss the offensive line dealing with Leonard Williams and what the Seahawks might be building before their visit to Arizona next week, Trey McBride’s dominance, the importance of James Conner production, Garrett Williams underrated, a long drought in Minnesota, whether there should be weather games, Wise Guy domination, and doggie Ozempic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back from the bye, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck are ready to tackle the seven-game streak to a possible playoff berth and won’t buffer once while discussing it. This week, the trio talk 18 games and international play, Dani’s clarification on other team jerseys, the need to breathe deeply so you don’t go insane, Paul’s predictions for the run game and Budda, the Cardinals being in the NFC West driver’s seat, possible Darius Robinson, probable Jonah Williams, Kyler for both comeback and MVP awards, MHJ’s improvement, Seattle’s defensive backs, waterproofing Paul, and Darren’s attempted domination in Wise Guy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy anniversary for all those who celebrate, and for details, you’ll have to join Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck for their final words before the bye. Besides remembrances, the trio discuss how the Cardinals are playing their best ball of the season after 10 games, Kyler taking the hit and giving it back, the Conner/Benson physical run duo, young players getting better, adding Baron Browning, an scheduling advantage within the NFC West, Trey McBride’s exceptional season, key questions like whether to wear a random jersey at a game, Dani’s Raygun obsession, avoiding regret before the end, and Darren’s return with a vengeance on Wise Guy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On trade deadline day and election day, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck talk Cardinals for the day - or at least an hour. With a three-game winning streak, the Cards added an edge through trade as they try to remain in first place as the Jets come to town next. Among the discussion topics: the Baron Browning acquisition, Aaron Rodgers praising Budda, Garrett Williams’ versatile emergence, Paul’s bout with the hail inside State farm Stadium, Dani’s convo with J.J. Watt, Kyler as game manager, Jeff Rodgers bidding for assistant coach of the year, the heartwarming story of Nick Rallis’ son, and a dramatic beatdown of Darren by Paul in Wise Guy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back-to-back final field-goal wins is a heck of a drug, and Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck are feeling the vibe of the Cardinals shifting their season. This week’s podcast has discussion about unlocking the passing game, Marvin Harrison Jr. taking his game to a new level (and knowing even Jerry Rice had a learning curve), Trey McBride’s excellence, Kyler looking like a great QB throwing the ball and avoiding sacks, the return of Darius Robinson, Budda Baker’s case for the future, the Bears dealing with Hail Mary meltdown, Caleb Williams’ growth, the trade deadline, Darren getting back to Wise Guy winning, and the best Halloween candy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ll never catch Paul Calvisi binging a reality show - it’s beneath him - but the Cardinals are about season survival this week after a dramatic win over the Chargers. Paul joins Darren Urban and Dani Sureck to discuss Dani’s TV thoughts, the Cardinals’ difficult schedule thus far, the issues with the passing game, finding Marvin Harrison Jr.’s sweet spot, James Conner as warrior, Tua returning to the Dolphins as the Cardinals go to Miami, State Farm Stadium’s benefits in a zombie attack, WWE Superstar Baron Corbin as one-time Cardinal, and Paul’s emotional first Wise Guy win.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an episode where Paul Calvisi breaks out his oven mitt, he and Darren Urban and Dani Sureck try to reset where the Cardinals are heading into a “Monday Night Football” game against the Chargers. So the trio discuss and debate the IR taking more key players from the Cardinals (and the Chargers too, for that matter), the need for the passing game and wide receivers to pop, Marvin Harrison Jr.’s three C’s (or four, or five depending when Paul stops counting), a Cam Skattebo nickname, too many raccoons, Jim Harbaugh’s return, the ball-control Chargers, and an episode of The Wise Guy in which Darren has some success for once.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thank goodness Paul Calvisi and Dani Sureck have finally cooled down from the furnace that was Sunday’s game against the 49ers, so they can join Darren Urban to chat about the big win in San Francisco and how the Cardinals shifted their season. The trio discuss the team’s resilience, multiple players coming up big in big moments, the defense’s stonewall of a second half, Darius Robinson’s impending return, the importance of James Conner, the loss of Will Hernandez, weather games, Zay Jones impact, and Paul coming *thisclose* on The Wise Guy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck get philosophical after the Cardinals’ loss to the Commanders, acknowledging early that Paul is no Erin Andrews, and that Tom Brady will be in the house for the 49ers game. This week’s discussion includes how the adaptations Jonathan Gannon promised might look like on the field, a run defense tested then and now, the potential of a Darius Robinson return, the “week after the Lions” games, missing Trey McBride and needing more MHJ, Brock Purdy surging and of course, this week’s Wise Guy, Eye-Andy style.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NFL is one big reality check, it seems (just look at the record of picks Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck have posted through three weeks) and that includes the Cardinals after a physical loss to the Lions. It laid the groundwork for a podcast in which our trio discuss the missing run game (and Kyler running), how physical the game was and what was left in its wake, the Cardinals’ pass catchers beyond Marvin Harrison Jr., getting more Trey McBride, the injury to Justin Jones, the Commanders coming to Arizona to practice this week, Kliff Kingsbury’s return, Budda Baker’s blistering blasting of opponents, and, of course, Paul’s attempt to stop the runaway train that is Darren in this week’s Wise Guy segment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What in the name of Markus Golden was going on for the Cardinals against the Rams in the home opener? Everything clicked, and Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck have to wonder if it was Kyler Murray’s best game in the NFL. (The Raiders win in 2022 has something to say.) So much good went on in the first win of the season, including Marvin Harrison Jr.’s breakout, the quiet excellence of Trey McBride, a defense that did everything right, Dennis Gardeck stepping up, the challenge of the playoff-worthy Lions this week, parallels between the Lions and Cardinals rebuilds, another Darren victory in this week’s Wise Guy mini-game show, and taking a salary that matches your birthdate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a rough Buffalo ending for the Cardinals, and Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck try and put it in perspective with the Rams up next and the home opener awaiting. The trio discuss Marvin Harrison Jr.’s debut (and how some questions sound a lot like some about Larry Fitzgerald in the past), Kyler’s first game and his legs on display, a good first game for Zaven Collins, the Rams and the specter of Sean McVay, a beat-up L.A. offensive line and what it might mean to the defense, battling an underrated Matthew Stafford, needing more from rookies, and a brand-new game that shows just how wise Darren really can be.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.