Cardinals Cover 2

Ep. 754 - After hearing from both the GM and the head coach, it’s now time to hear from the coordinators. Drew Petzing and Nick Rallis, the offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively, addressed the media over the past two days. Their thoughts on not only the 12 draft picks but also the players added in free agency. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss what stood out; from Rallis’ excitement about cornerback Elijah Jones, linebacker Mack Wilson and the veteran leadership in defensive linemen Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols to Petzing looking forward to seeing wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., running back Trey Benson and tight end Tip Reiman on the field to really get a sense of what they can do. Also, some Zaven Collins talk; his fifth-year option was not exercised.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 753 - With apologies to the Masters, post-draft grades are “a tradition unlike any other.” Which team did well? Which team didn’t? Who might be a sleeper pick? Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman react to what the experts are saying about GM Monti Ossenfort’s second draft class. Spoiler alert: Monti did very well. The 12 new players won’t be on the field for another week - rookie minicamp begins May 10 - so right now everything is a projection. In fact, Zach projects Darius Robinson to begin his pro career as an edge rusher out of the outside linebacker room not the defensive line room. Interesting. Other draft prospects highlighted on the show included offensive lineman Christian Jones (Can he be the team’s swing tackle?) and tight end Tip Reiman (Zach shared a funny moment from Reiman’s conference call with reporters).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 752 - Five picks on Saturday. An NFL-high 12 picks over the three days of the 2024 NFL Draft. GM Monti Ossenfort did not mess around. The 12 picks, by the way, were split evenly between offense and defense. So, what do we think? Craig Grialou is joined once again by both Dani Sureck and Paul Calvisi to discuss Day 3 as well as the draft in general. This much is clear, cornerback was prioritized; or so it seemed. One was selected on each day, with Jaden Davis out of Miami hearing his name called with the Cardinals’ final pick, 226th overall in the seventh round. Other positions of note addressed on Saturday were safety (Texas Tech’s Dadrion Taylor-Emerson), edge rusher (Clemson’ Xavier Thomas), offensive tackle (Texas’ Christian Jones) and wide receiver (UAB’s Tejhaun Palmer).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 751 - Five picks including four in the third round. GM Monti Ossenfort was a busy man on Friday. Oh, and he made a pair of trades as well. Craig Grialou is joined by both Dani Sureck and Paul Calvisi – that’s right they go Cover 3 to discuss Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Round two got started with a trade down before the selection of Rutgers cornerback Max Melton, a player who does not lack in the confidence department. Then round three saw four selections: Florida State running back Trey Benson, Illinois offensive lineman Isaiah Adams, Adams’ teammate at Illinois in tight end Tip Reiman, and finally Boston College cornerback Elijah Jones. So, all total, the Cardinals double up at defensive back plus add three to the offensive side of the ball. Well done, Monti.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 750 - Two draft picks in the first round netted the Cardinals two players who fill positions of need: wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and defensive lineman Darius Robinson. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck are back to discuss day one of the 2024 NFL Draft. They begin with the selection of Robinson – and yes, he hails from Dani’s alma mater, the University of Missouri – who can play both inside and outside along the d-line. His 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss were both team highs last season. Also on the show, comments from both GM Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon about MHJ as told to Dani right outside the draft room mere minutes after the pick; plus some thoughts on the first round as a whole.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 749 - After much discussion and speculation, the Cardinals stayed put and selected Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick. And in the end, it’s not that big of a surprise. Harrison was ranked by many as, not only the No. 1 wideout, but the No. 1 non-quarterback position player in the draft. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck - who went with her gut and predicted GM Monti Ossenfort would do exactly what happened - react mere minutes after commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement. A finalist for the Heisman Trophy and the winner of the Biletnikoff Award (nation’s top receiver), Harrison immediately becomes WR1 for Kyler Murray and the offense, filling a need on that side of the ball.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 748 - One day away. The finish line, otherwise known as the 2024 NFL Draft, is in sight. Again, the Cardinals have 11 total picks, the most of any team. Six of those picks are in the first 90 with two in the first round. At least that’s where things stand as of Wednesday. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck are ready for whatever is to come over the next three days. Stick and pick? Trade down? Trade down and then move back up the board? In addition to one last lookahead, the two revisit a pair of conversations they had during the NFL Scouting Combine with ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller - why he believes the Cardinals control the draft - and NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein - what he expects from GM Monti Ossenfort.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 747 - Of course, if a quarterback is selected fourth overall, then that means GM Monti Ossenfort has traded the pick. To which team? And for what? All great questions. And questions no one has the answers to. That hasn’t stopped the speculation, however. With the draft now just three days away, Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi dive into what is being written and said about the decisions Ossenfort may or may not make. And not just with the No. 4 pick. The Cardinals have - to date - 11 total picks, including six in the first 90 and two in the first round. It’s why NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently told reporters “this is a ‘set your franchise up’ situation” in which Ossenfort finds himself in this week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 746 - One week away. Only seven days until the 2024 NFL Draft. The Cardinals - at the moment - have 11 picks, including six in the first 90 and two in the first round. So, what will Monti Ossenfort do? Stick and pick? Trade down? Trade down and then trade back up, like he did a year ago? Well, during Thursday’s pre-draft presser, Monti was - to no one’s surprise - not very forthcoming with his plans. Of course, that didn’t stop Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck from discussing, and even dissecting, what he had to say to the assembled media. This much is clear: the Cardinals are in position to help set themselves up for not only this season but several seasons ahead based on their draft capital; so long as there are more hits than misses with their picks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 745 - Edge. And cornerback. Those would appear to be the positions of most need on defense; at least in the opinion of both Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman. The annual draft primer series - a position-by-position look at the Cardinals’ draft needs - continues this week on azcardinals.com. (Check the archives for a discussion on the offense.) While outside linebacker was not addressed in free agency, cornerback was with the signing of veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting. But, as the saying goes, teams can never have enough cornerbacks. Also, what’s the latest with the Mock Draft Tracker? More are showing a projected trade down from No. 4. Plus, Zach previews his story on a couple of Cardinals teammates participating in the NFL-USO Tour in Poland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 744 - Players arrived back at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on Monday. (Though many had been regulars since the season ended.) Welcome to the start of the offseason strength and conditioning program. It’s called Phase One. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck describe what that means; in other words, what players can and cannot do. Speaking of players, Kyzir White - how’s his rehab going - and Trey McBride, who was very excited to be back in the building, spoke with reporters. What did they have to say about the offseason, the new additions made to the roster, and having a healthy Kyler Murray? Plus, next week’s draft may be one of the more important ones, in terms of building for the future, in recent memory.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 743 - If wide receiver is the biggest need on offense, then outside linebacker/edge rusher is the biggest need on defense. At least that’s how Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi see it heading into the draft. (Cornerback is a close second.) Last season, the Cardinals ranked near the bottom in sacks plus had among the higher numbers in both opponent quarterback rating and opponent completion percentage. So, how do the Cardinals address the position? Good question. The latest Mel Kiper Jr. mock draft has one scenario, one in which the Cardinals stick-and-pick and select Marvin Harrison Jr. What happens, though, if there is a trade down? What might be the price to move off the fourth overall pick and is there a team willing, and more importantly able, to pay such a cost?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 742 - After a quick debrief on the solar eclipse - or the lack thereof in Arizona - Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman dive into the draft, focusing on the offensive side of the line of scrimmage. The annual draft primer series - a position-by-position look at the Cardinals’ draft needs - begins this week on azcardinals.com. No question wide receiver is the biggest need. The offensive line also is high on the need list. There are only three players: Paris Johnson Jr., Jonah Williams, and Jon Gaines who are signed beyond 2024. What about quarterback? Running back? Tight end? How might Monti Ossenfort address those positions, especially knowing he has - at least right now - 11 total picks in his collection? Time will tell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 741 - It is the Cardinals’ biggest need, especially on offense. Wide receiver. And specifically, a true No. 1 receiver, or at worst, a receiver who can be paired with Michael Wilson. The wide receiver talk is getting louder because of, not only the need, but where the Cardinals select, which prospects were reportedly in town for visits, and the blockbuster trade between the Bills and Texans. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss how the Cardinals might address wide receiver, whether that’s early or late in the first round. Also, might we see a repeat performance out of Monti Ossenfort in terms of a trade down and then a move back up? Last year’s draft room video resurfaced on social media this week. Why?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 740 - It’s been a bit quiet on the free-agent front. Yes, the Cardinals are paying attention to those players still on the market - heck, they may even have an interest in signing one, two, or more of them - but, for the moment, their focus has shifted to the draft, which is less than four weeks away. Regardless of if it’s free agency or the draft, there are needs that must be addressed. Edge rusher may be the biggest. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss how the Cardinals may want to strengthen the position, including Year 2 improvement from both Zaven Collins and BJ Ojulari. Plus, when it comes to the top three wide receivers in this year’s draft class, are our expectations for their projected success too high?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 739 - Fans are guaranteed to see at least two kickoffs every game. And last season, kickoffs were an afterthought. That’s about to change with the league approving new kickoff rules for 2024. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss what it’s going to look like and, more importantly, how the Cardinals will likely benefit from the new approach; and maybe why they made DeeJay Dallas an early signing in free agency. Also, the guys go over some of the other news and notes from the Annual League Meeting; what the latest mock drafts are saying about the Cardinals and the fourth overall pick; plus Desmond Ridder addressed reporters this week, what did he say and how does he fit within his new team’s quarterback room?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 738 - No team is in better position for the 2024 NFL Draft than the Arizona Cardinals. Or, more specifically, no *one person* as Broncos head coach Sean Payton said on Monday from the Annual League Meeting in Orlando. With the fourth overall pick, the Cardinals are the talk of the league. Darren Urban heard all the talk. From Orlando, he joins Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi to discuss what it may take for Monti Ossenfort to part with the team’s first first-round selection. Can a team make Ossenfort an offer he can’t refuse? Plus, Grialou and Calvisi revisit an earlier conversation concerning a former Cardinals draft pick. Why are they revisiting it? Well, because the player’s name has once again resurfaced in the rumor mill.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 737 - Do you love ball? And do you put team first? That’s how Jonathan Gannon defines the price of admission to be an Arizona Cardinal. And, yes, being a good football player is a must. All nine players – to date – signed in free agency paid the price of admission. Gannon and Monti Ossenfort met the media on Wednesday to discuss the moves made thus far. What did they say? Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck go over some of the highlights; the focus on defense, specifically defensive line; don’t ask – though it was asked – where Jonah Williams and Paris Johnson will line up; Desmond Ridder’s experience played a big factor in his acquisition; fielding trade calls for the No. 4 overall pick; plus “the brutal” decision Ossenfort made to release D.J. Humphries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 736 - Back after a week away, Craig Grialou enlists the help of Paul Calvisi to go over everything that happened at the start of the new league year. And there was a lot. Seven players re-signed, seven players signed, one player was acquired and there were a handful of good-byes. The discussion began with GM Monti Ossenfort’s focus on the defense, specifically the defensive line; an edge rusher has not been signed yet so might the Cardinals be waiting for the draft, and if so, what does that mean when it comes to the fourth overall pick? Also, backup quarterback was addressed, and if there was still a question about Kyler Murray’s status within the building, there isn’t anymore. Plus, Aaron Donald retired; and what’s this, Paul got a dog over the weekend?!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 735 - In what is likely the first of many moves to provide the team depth along the defensive line going into next season, the Cardinals re-signed veteran L.J. Collier on Friday. It’s a one-year deal ahead of the official start of free agency. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss the decision to bring back Collier, who played less than one game last season after suffering a biceps injury in Week 1. It was one of several injuries suffered at the position, and the Cardinals struggled because of it, especially against the run. Also, wide receiver Greg Dortch is back, a smart move according to Craig and Dani, who both believe Dortch has earned himself more playing time on offense. Will he be given the chance?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.