Arizona Cardinals Podcasts

Ep. 431 - The offseason work is complete. Minicamp is done. So, what did we learn about the 2021 Arizona Cardinals? A lot. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki give their takeaways, none bigger than the continuing development of Kyler Murray, both on and off the field. Of course, wins and losses is how Murray and the Cardinals will be defined this season. There is reason to be optimistic, however. Besides Murray, the guys discuss the competition at right guard, the depth at cornerback and whether Chandler Jones’ no-show was a big deal.

Ep. 511 - Running backs coach James Saxon joined Paul Calvisi and Ron Wolfley to talk about the prospects of the Cardinals' run game featuring Chase Edmonds and free agent signee James Conner. Saxon is reunited with Conner after coaching the big runner in Pittsburgh during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Plus, Calvisi and Wolf discuss Kyler Murray's leadership going into his third year, Robert Alford's return from two straight season-ending injuries and the future of Isaiah Simmons as he gets set to play next to rookie linebacker Zaven Collins in the middle of the Cardinals defense.

Ep. 430 - While many believe the Cardinals will be much improved offensively, the same can be expected on defense. J.J. Watt and Malcolm Butler bring experience to the defensive line and cornerback positions, respectively. Zaven Collins, though young, is extremely talented. All of the above excites defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. He’s most excited, however, about those players who are entering their second and third years in the system. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss each level of the defense through the eyes of Joseph.

After some time off, Darren Urban returns just in time for minicamp, so Paul Calvisi and Kyle Odegard bring him back in the fold to talk about the lone time the (nearly) full roster will work in the offseason and what they noticed, the absence of Chandler Jones as Jones goes into the last year of his contract, the decisions that will have to be made at cornerback, Eno in the backfield (and maybe J.J. Watt?), bandwagoning with the Cards, what players should be talked about more, and even seeing Fitz’s face (on the freeway, but still.)

As the 2021 season approaches, which Cardinals players are currently flying under the radar and deserve more attention? Craig Grialou, Mike Jurecki and Bertrand Berry make cases for a few guys who may surprise. Plus, discussions about new cornerback Darqueze Dennard, how Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins could help increase takeaways and first impressions of minicamp.

Ep. 429 - Actions have consequences, or in this case, inaction. Over the weekend, Zaven Collins literally found himself rolling down a fairway at a local golf course after forgetting to bring J.J. Watt breakfast as Collins had promised. It’s a mistake the rookie won’t make again. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki view Saturday’s viral event as a positive. Also, the guys set the stage for this week’s mandatory minicamp. What do they want to see or hear over the next three days? Remember, these practices are the final time coaches and players will be on the field together until training camp.

Ep. 428 - Once again, a lot is going to be expected from Isaiah Simmons as he prepares for his second year in the NFL. He was the defense’s Swiss army knife, playing a half dozen positions. But it is inside linebacker that will be “home base” according to his position coach Bill Davis. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss the progress Simmons made last season and what his pairing with Zaven Collins may mean for the defense overall. Also, the guys react to the signing of veteran cornerback Darqueze Dennard. Both had been pushing for more experience at that position, so perhaps someone was listening. Yeah, probably not.

Ep. 510 - The pairing of young linebackers Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons has been a hot Cardinals topic during the offseason. Linebackers coach Bill Davis joined Paul Calvisi and Ron Wolfley to talk about his first impressions of Collins, the jump he expects from Isaiah Simmons after learning six positions during his rookie season and the leadership infusion provided by J.J. Watt. Plus, some takeaways from organized team activities along with a preview of Kyler Murray's third season as Cardinals quarterback.

After a completely virtual offseason in 2020, the Cardinals returned to the field for organized team activities this week. Paul Calvisi and Kyle Odegard discussed J.J. Watt, Kyler Murray and more while Darren Urban took advantage of the OTA session's voluntary nature and chose a vacation. Plus, a breakdown of Budda Baker’s beef with Pro Football Focus, the tight end rumor mill and much more.

Ep. 427 - According to Kliff Kingsbury, “a majority” of the team was in attendance for the first organized team activity, or OTA, of the offseason. New faces mixed with the familiar ones; and yes, Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins were spotted on the field together, which may have been the biggest takeaway for both Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki. Remember, the players’ presence is voluntary this week. Also, it was hard not to notice J.J. Watt, who described Wednesday as “kind of like that first day of school.”

Ever since J.J. Watt and the Cardinals agreed on a free agent deal this offseason, much of the talk has been about how Watt will pair with linebacker Chandler Jones in Vance Joseph's defensive scheme. Craig Grialou, Mike Jurecki and Bertrand Berry discuss how the duo can create headaches for opposing offenses. Plus, the guys break down Pete Prisco's Top 100 NFL players list and analyze the Cardinals offensive line and tight ends.

Ep. 2 - Luis Hernández y Rolando Cantú analizan el calendario oficial de la temporada regular 2021 de los Cardenales de Arizona. **¿**Cuántos partidos pueden ganar? **¿**Cuál es el partido más difícil de la temporada? En nuestro segundo episodio examinaremos minuciosamente las 17 jornadas y Rolando también nos dirá cuál es la mejor comida de la ciudad donde el equipo juege de visitante.

Ep. 509 - When you want to know about a linebacker, you ask a fellow linebacker. That's exactly what Paul Calvisi and Ron Wolfley did on the Big Red Rage when they invited former Cardinals linebacker Rob Fredrickson to chat about rookie Zaven Collins. Fredrickson, a former top pick himself, talks about what Collins can expect from the NFL, lining up next to Isaiah Simmons and the benefit of having linebackers who can play all three downs. Plus, discussions on cornerback depth and the new-look running back room led by Chase Edmonds and James Conner.

Finally face-to-face, there is plenty for Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard to talk about, not the least of which is Chase Edmonds’ willingness to “run through a damn wall” for his starting running back opportunity. But there’s so much more – more Fitz speculation, the big year facing Christian Kirk (again), how much Rondale Moore was needed, Rodney Hudson as the best center in the NFL, Kyler Murray throwing to A.J. Green and how good Green can be, and oh yeah, some tattoo chatter.

The biggest name added to the Cardinals roster in the offseason was defensive lineman J.J. Watt. Craig Grailou, Mike Jurecki and Bertrand Berry discuss the players who will play alongside Watt in the trenches. Plus, we break down the early reports on rookies Zaven Collins and Rondale Moore and examine how Chase Edmonds and James Conner can work together to fuel the Cardinals running game.

Ep. 426 - After dreaming about Julio Jones, Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki snap back into reality for a discussion about the team’s two young inside linebackers, Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons. Recent comments by director of player personnel Dru Grigson and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph suggest both Collins and Simmons are more than ready for their expected roles in 2021. Collins is taking charge in the huddle, while Simmons is being prepped to be used all over the field. And both, as Grialou and Jurecki mention, will benefit from the veteran leadership around them.

Ep. 508 - The Cardinals recently conducted a rookie minicamp at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe. What was learned? Director of player personnel Dru Grigson joined Paul Calvisi and Ron Wolfley to break it all down. Plus, find out when the Cardinals front office knew that Zaven Collins would be considered at No. 16, how Rondale Moore moves around the field and the upside of cornerbacks Marco Wilson and Tay Gowan.

Ep. 425 - More and more, we’re seeing players from other countries make it to the NFL. Austrian tight end Bernhard Seikovits is trying to follow the same path as former Cardinals offensive lineman and current broadcaster Rolando Cantu, who joins Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki on today’s show. In addition to discussing his journey, Cantu shares his thoughts on Kyler Murray and the offense plus his new Spanish-language podcast, La Tacleada Cardinals, aka The Cardinals Tackle. Also, the guys discuss the significance of Murray's recent Instagram video showing him throwing a pass to A.J. Green.

In the wake of rookie minicamp and offseason on-field work for the first time since 2019, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard discuss Zaven Collins’ doppelgänger and his immediate placement into the starting lineup; how Collins might look alongside fellow tree Isaiah Simmons; the benefit Collins gets with on-field work (and what Simmons might’ve lost last offseason); the cornerback room; Rondale Moore’s drive to play big; how roster building might signal an offensive direction, Larry Fitzgerald’s locker, and what are the keys for a playoff berth.

The Cardinals recently wrapped up their first rookie minicamp since 2019. Craig Grialou, Mike Jurecki and Bertrand Berry talk about top-pick Zaven Collins and what he will encounter in the NFL, bringing the rookie corners along and who else made a nice first impression at Cards HQ. Plus, a complete breakdown of the 2021 schedule highlighting some of the more intriguing matchups.