Cardinals Underground

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 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 Guys, 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.

The Cardinals have reached the first week of the season, and a trip to Buffalo. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban, and Dani Sureck want to know what the team is going to look like - especially against a new-look Bills team with old-look Josh Allen at QB - that highlights discussion/debate about the team captains, the ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley visit and MMA-worthy Cards, Paul’s lack of TV watching, Mack Wilson’s role, Niagara Falls and Dani’s dive from a plane, Allen’s accuracy, Kyler’s expectations (as well as MHJ’s), Paul’s trip to the hardware store, and the pros and cons of Buffalo wings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban, and Dani Sureck huddled up as soon as the Cardinals put out their first 53-man roster, although Dani did feel some kind of way when she saw Blue in Denver. The Cardinals made their moves and the trio discusses how the team named that Tune for QB2, Paul hitting on his X-squared picks to click, moving on from Michael Carter, seven total receivers including the suspended Zay Jones, what the offense might look like when it counts, the plethora of defensive backs, and how waiver claims could change the roster.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The gang is back from Indianapolis, and oh what stories do they have to tell. Paul Calvisi and Darren Urban brace themselves for Dani Sureck’s encounter with the Colts mascot, and then they discuss the Cardinals as a pound puppy, early power rankings, the battle for QB2 between Ridder and Tune, a game of numbers with roster roulette, the tough choices at RB, WR and CB, Wolf’s shirt crisis, “I’ll make it” at Hinkle Field House, pickle pizza, the arrival of Jeff The Corndog, and the idea of Vegas and not Denver to close the preseason.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Cardinals in Indiana holding joint practices against the Colts, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck hold a bonus podcast to talk about the trip and where the Cardinals are heading into Week 2 of the preseason. The trio discuss the offense’s ups and downs against the Colts, ILB’s Owen Pappoe’s surge, the potential of edge Xavier Thomas, the need for 2023 draftees to jump, the idea of trades – whether it is OLB or QB – where the cornerback room stands, Marvin Harrison Jr. and where the Cardinals rank in the NFC West pass-catcher power rankings, the defensive line bolstered by L.J. Collier and Darius Robinson, and that Indianapolis pub Dani (and others) love so much.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a special edition of Cardinals Underground (a second pod coming Thursday this week in Indianapolis), Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck look for the best analogy for preseason football. Then it’s a discussion about the depth the Cards have brought in, the emotional reaction by the rookies in the first game, the comfiness of Clayton Tune and the backup QB battle, Michael Carter stands out, the noticeable depth improvement on the D-line, MHJ’s brief appearance, and the trio give their individual power polls on the new food offerings at State Farm Stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As training camp comes to a close this week, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck can only hope the weather breaks in Indianapolis next week when the Cardinals finally have outdoor practices. In the meantime, the trio talk about their top takeaways from camp - including Darius Robinson showing up, Paul’s quibbles with the depth chart (and Darren disagreeing along the way), the loss of BJ Ojulari and the signing of Marquis Haynes Sr., the possibility of a splashier trade in-season if needed, L.J. Collier’s rebound, joint practice fights, the QB2 battle, the CB2 battle, choices to make on the offensive line, the Indiana State Fair, and the thought of playing in Pitbull Stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A week into training camp, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck haven’t put the pads on themselves but watched the guys that did. The trio discuss the future of No. 12 – literally – as well as the top position battles early in camp, the first time the offensive and defensive lines got to hit each other, that improved (and underrated?) defensive line, Paul’s breakout players prediction (rated XX), the potential for roster additions and where that might be, Kyler’s obvious comfort level, MHJ’s quiet(?) camp, Hjalte Froholdt and Dani sharing protein knowledge, and a true Cinderella story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone should know that it is "Blake**"** Gillikin who is the excellent punter for the Cardinals. Paul Calvisi certainly does, as does Darren Urban and Dani Sureck as they turn the final podcast before training camp begins. The trio pick the one word to describe the vibe as camp opens (opening the door to some disappointing movie admissions as well as disappointing TV choices), and discussions include the new organization overall, the fight the Cards bring to the table, the team that Monti Ossenfort has wanted to build, mandatory Marvin Harrison Jr. talk, Mack Wilson Sr. as man of mystery, the top sleeper storylines for camp and Paul’s deadlines for his breakout player of camp picks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vacation is over for Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck, but even on “vacation” Kyler Murray and some of his teammates have been getting together to create chemistry. That’s one of the top subjects our trio discusses in this week’s episode and training camp just a week away. Among the other topics: Kyler valuing the offseason, how the Cardinals culture is already built, how underrated the offensive line might be, the upcoming battle for cornerback spots, the need to see Marvin Harrison Jr. up close and personal, what Mack Wilson Sr. will bring to the defense, how the Cardinals believe in Sean Murphy-Bunting, and what Paul learned on vacation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the Cardinals continue to ramp up for the opening of training camp, Ring of Honor member Roy Green joins Paul Calvisi and Dani Sureck to talk about the wide receiver and cornerback positions. Green is certainly qualified to talk about both groups after starting his career at corner and eventually developing into one of the greatest receivers of his era. What are Green's expectations for rookie Marvin Harrison? Who stands out in the young cornerback room? "Jet Stream" Green shares his opinions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck consider five different aspects of the Cardinals: Kyler Murray, the NFC West, Darius Robinson, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson as WRs 1 and 2, and the running back room. If the perfect storm arrives this season – realistically – in each case, what does it look like for the Cards?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not all players are created equal – especially when it comes to who will make the greatest impact this season. It’s all guesswork sure, but Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck hold their own Impact Draft. The rules are simple: Once draft order is determined, each gets to pick the most impactful Cardinals from 1-9 (three picks each) in order. Sure, there are some obvious choices, but I’m sure no one will be surprised when we hear an unexpected name or two. Every draft has that, right?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.