Cardinals Underground

While Paul Calvisi celebrates a highly drafted punter in the NFL, he joins Darren Urban and Dani Sureck and they all acknowledge punting is not a bad play. Other topics? They discuss upcoming rookie minicamp, the upcoming schedule release – and the chances for primetime games or international games, a home schedule with the top three rookie QBs, the need to add a veteran wide receiver, the (lesser?) need to add a veteran cornerback, how Darius Robinson will fit into the D-line room, the Tom Brady roast, Kyler’s fan interaction, Marvin Harrison Jr.’s immediate impact, and Tip Reiman’s potential neckroll.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is your feelings about an Italian restaurant? Paul Calvisi had strong feelings about his eggplant parmesan as he, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck talk about what the Cardinals got in their 12-pick draft, including what their first interactions were like with Marvin Harrison Jr. Among the other topics: Paris Johnson reuniting with his buddy, the “patterns” the Cardinals have in their picks, the improved defensive line room and Darius Robinson, intriguing off the edge with Xavier Thomas, how the tight end and running back rooms have changed, so many cornerbacks battling it out, and the potential 18-game season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Calvisi wants to hold Darren Urban accountable - and Dani Sureck may just be an innocent bystander - on the latest Cardinals Underground. That’s important during draft week, when a trade could still happen (only when the Cardinals are on the clock, because that is common sense), as teams who might want to trade up are considered, how there are no “fair” trades this high in the draft, when the Cards need to consider what makes sense with 27 and 35, how fans have loved MHJ, when comments are close to the vest right now, and when the 20th anniversary of the Larry Fitzgerald 2004 draft has arrived.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s trivia time for Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban, and Dani Sureck, so PC tries to stump the panel - and somehow, that leads us into the show. There is still the latest national conversations about what will happen in the draft and what the Cardinals might do, the trade possibilities, what positions the Cardinals need and when, the depth of receiver in this class and what it might mean, adding future draft picks, the players coming back into the facility for the offseason program, Trey McBride’s bright future, Kyzir White’s return, Paul and his gloves, and the welcoming Sureck family home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mocking Darren Urban for his mock draft work? Sounds about right. But Darren, Paul Calvisi and Dani Sureck are maneuvering through the draft silly season as best they can. With a few weeks to go, there are still lots of scenarios - some with trades, some with QB cornucopias, adding to the debate that includes drafting for 2025, top 7 wide receiver picks, inside linebacker importance, running backs on the draft radar, finding players who will stick their face in the fan, the upcoming start of the offseason program, trading up from 27, and the trio’s thoughts on their own Masters meal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sure, the draft is still a few weeks away, but in the end, that’s where the conversation is going to drift. So here Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban, and Dani Sureck discuss the quarterbacks rising/falling/holding firm in the draft talk, what teams might want to draft a QB (and perhaps talk to the Cardinals about a trade), why any trade would be unlikely before draft night, way too many mock drafts, defining “generational,” the Cardinals’ biggest roster needs right now, the importance of nailing the first-round picks, Cheeto the dog and Paul’s obsession with the coming eclipse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darren Urban has returned from the NFL meetings - hence the day’s delay for the podcast - and so he, Paul Calvisi, and Dani Sureck have plenty to talk about, including what the Cardinals could do at No. 4 in the draft. A trade? What would the “QB surcharge” might be? Discussion points include J.J. McCarty’s “rise” on draft boards and Drake Maye’s “drop,” options the Cardinals might have, dumb trade suggestions floating out there, “It’s good to be Monti,” the Cardinals holding another joint practice, two Wednesday games on Christmas, one division for Hard Knocks, and Dani’s resemblance to Susanna Hoffs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Still more than a month to the draft, but there are free agents to analyze and lots of what-ifs of what the Cardinals might do in late April. Perfect podcast fodder for Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck, who discuss if Minnesota will want to package its two first-round picks to move up (and what that might mean); the importance of wide receiver for the Cardinals and the current regime; the smokescreen period of the NFL; the friendship and potential impact of Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones; Mack Wilson’s potential in the defense; what Sean Murphy-Bunting can do at cornerback; moving on from Hollywood and Rondale; and not forgetting aliens, casitas, snail mail and how QBs once sat for five years to learn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the Cardinals start the new league year, they say goodbye to the longest-tenured player, but also bring in a bunch of new ones as free agency got underway. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck talk about all of it – from D.J. Humphries’ legacy to new tackle Jonah Williams, the additions of defensive tackles Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones to help the defensive line, whether Sean Murphy-Bunting will play inside or outside, and a rousing game of who does this QB play for now? BUT FIRST a special bonus intro about the Desmond Ridder trade, because ***there is too much stuff happening to keep up.***See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Darren Urban and Dani Sureck back from Indianapolis, they have an emotional reunion with Paul Calvisi (OK, not so emotional) as the trio downloads Scouting Combine leftovers and impending free agency next week. Among the topics, the rise of QB J.J. McCarthy and the possibility of a fourth quarterback in the top four picks; how defensive linemen are proving so freaky athletic; the many good options the Cardinals will have in the first round, trade or not; how the hype for draftees doesn’t mean they all will pan out; the potential path of the Cardinals in free agency; a debate over if the Cardinals should/need to add a running back; and the future of Hollywood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Dani Sureck and Darren Urban out at Indianapolis, they join Paul Calvisi (who remained in studio) to talk about Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon talking at the Scouting combine. Among the topics: being comfortable with QB (and maybe backup QB), the quarterbacks who are in the draft, the idea of the Cardinals trading down, what the Bears could do with their No. 1 pick, needs in free agency and Ossenfort’s philosophy, the cornerbacks out there, the evolution of the combine and star gazing in Indy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Because we said so, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck have their pre-Combine podcast, and there’s lots to debate. Among the topics: Which free agents the Cardinals should prioritize to keep; potential cap casualties around the league; Monti Ossenfort’s second offseason; the Cardinals making sure to draft the “right guys”; the quarterbacks and how they impact the top four in the draft; trading down options; whether the Cardinals take a wideout in round one; and what Jonathan Gannon accomplished in Year One.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Chiefs finishing off the season with another Super Bowl win, the new NFL season is just about to start already. Before it does, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck have their own postmortem with discussion about Super commercials, Dani’s trip to Vegas, Caleb Williams’ likelihood to be drafted by Chicago, whether the outcome of last year’s first-round trade would influence Monti Ossenfort this season, the possibility of MHJ at 4, the Niners’ inability to close out a title, the overtime rules and whether Kyle Shanahan made a mistake, finding a free-agent defensive stud, Usher’s performance and a brief ranking of halftime shows.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Super Bowl week - and people, that’s two words, never one - and that’s where Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck start this week’s discussion (and where Dani will end her week.) Our trio chat about how the 49ers were built and how the Cardinals might be able to imitate some of that roster construction; what defensive positions make sense to target in free agency; how Trey McBride measures up to the current Super Bowl tight end icons George Kittle and Travis Kelce; Paris’ growth; Kliff Kingsbury returning to the NFL; Budda at the Pro Bowl; what came from the Senior Bowl that could impact the Cardinals. The Super Bowl awaits. Will Taylor Swift be there? Probably.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NFL found its two Super Bowl teams over Championship weekend, and Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck discuss all of it in the latest Underground, including Chiefs (and/or Niners) fatigue, how Swiftly K.C. got back to the Super Bowl, the Lions’ chances to get back to this stage (which the Cardinals could not after 2008 and 2015), Dan Campbell’s fourth-down choices and Darren’s impassioned rant about the changing NFL, Budda Baker’s Pro Bowl trip and what the future is for the safety, how tackle might be the strongest draft position, Paris Johnson’s rookie year to build upon, and Dani mulling potential future projects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NFL is down to four teams, and what might the Cardinals learn from the best left in the NFL this season? Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck discuss such things, as well as what Monti Ossenfort’s second offseason of roster building might look like, whether the offense or defense get the most attention in free agency, taking a receiver in the draft or not, how much the Cardinals need an offensive tackle, all the Cardinals’ assistant coaches working college all-star games, Pete Carroll’s outgoing comments, Paul’s potential Lions socks, and Super Bowl color conspiracies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So many questions about coaching have come out of the end of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs for the NFL, but Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck know that Jonathan Gannon is in place for the Cardinals and that means they are that much more ahead of last season. Among the topics discussed: What to pick at 4, and whether a wide receiver makes sense, the need for a big-time pass rusher, what unrestricted free agents of their own might the Cardinals target for return, needing to find wins in the NFC West, Pete Carroll’s departure, the sinking Texans first-round pick and the excellence of C.J. Stroud, and Paul honors the yeoman’s work of sideline reporters at the bitter cold postseason games.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The season is over, and just what did we all witness? Four wins isn’t great, but what Jonathan Gannon has started seems to have foundational qualities. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck break down big-picture of what 2023 was about for the Cardinals, Kyler Murray’s growing trust with his pass catchers (and them with him), Kyler working under center, how a balanced offense helps Murray overall, how James Conner is not just a 1,000-yard rusher but everything the Cardinals need, D.J. Humphries’ ACL injury and how it impacts the future of the offensive line, Paris Johnson’s role going forward, the desperate need at edge, and (yes it’s early but) what to do with the No. 4 overall draft pick.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a grand trip to Philly, where the Cardinals toppled the Eagles and then Dani Sureck dueled QB Kyler Murray in a couple of word games on the flight home. Dani, Paul Calvisi and Darren Urban didn’t bring any cheesesteaks back, but they did bring some stories and analysis on how Jonathan Gannon returned to his old stomping grounds and out-coached his old peers, how the Cardinals were the more physical team again, the genius of the onside kick that didn’t work/still worked, Kyler’s huge game, the comeback of Michael Wilson, James Conner’s dominance, Greg Dortch making plays and how winning trumps draft status.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Christmas behind them, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck dig into the post-Bears loss leftovers and the New Year’s festivities to come in Philadelphia - where Jonathan Gannon last coached. The trio discuss the emotions at the start of the Chicago game, the consistent inconsistency of the offense and trying to get the wide receivers going, the inability to slow the Bears rush game or contain Justin Fields, the release of cornerback Marco Wilson and the message that might come out of it, the need at edge rusher, and what knowing the Eagles might help with for Gannon and the Cardinals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.