Cardinals Cover 2

Ep. 879 - To players, to fans; yes, numbers matter. Specifically, jersey numbers. On Wednesday, the Cardinals’ seven-player draft class received their first jersey numbers. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss what numbers stood out, like Cody Simon being issued No. 50; does this mean he’ll be in the middle of the defense as an inside linebacker? And how cool is it that Will Johnson will wear ‘0’ as an outside cornerback? There are other numbers to mention; Calais Campbell (93) and Dalvin Tomlinson (94) will continue to sport the digits they’ve worn their entire pro careers; Josh Sweat (10) and Baron Browning (5) are changing their numbers; while Jacoby Brissett (7) will wear a familiar number to Cardinals fans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 878 - The grades are in. So, how do the experts feel GM Monti Ossenfort did with his selections in the 2025 NFL Draft? Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss some of what has been written since the end of the draft on Saturday. A lot of the words written has focused on the Cardinals’ first three picks: DT Walter Nolen III, CB Will Johnson, and Edge Jordan Burch. In total, Ossenfort made seven picks, six on the defensive side of the ball, which, depending on what you read, received either an ‘A’ or ‘B’ grade. Also, Craig and Zach go over the six rookie free agents signed on Monday. Three of the six were offensive lineman, including Josh Fryar out of Ohio State, where his position coach was current Cardinals offensive line coach Justin Frye.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 877 - Four picks on Saturday. Seven picks overall. Nearly every pick, six, went towards the defensive side of the ball. Yes, the real winner of the 2025 NFL Draft is defensive coordinator Nick Rallis; so many new toys to play with, and don’t forget about all the defensive additions in free agency. Craig Grialou, Dani Sureck and Paul Calvisi – it’s another Cover 3 edition – talk about the most recent selections: Ohio State inside linebacker Cody Simon (fourth round, 115th overall), Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward (fifth round, 174th overall), Texas offensive lineman Hayden Conner (sixth round, 211th overall), and Nevada safety Kitan Crawford (seventh round, 225th overall). Also, the three discuss what GM Monti Ossenfort and assistant GM Dave Sears had to say about the seven-player draft class.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 876 – On Friday, the Cardinals doubled down on defense in the 2025 NFL Draft. Again, are we surprised? OK, maybe a little, but defense has been the team’s MO all offseason. Craig Grialou, Dani Sureck and Paul Calvisi – call it Cover 3 – talk about the selections of Michigan cornerback Will Johnson (second round, 47th overall pick) and Oregon Edge rusher Jordan Burch (third round, 78th overall pick). For those keeping track, that’s three defensive players in the first three rounds. Also, what did GM Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon have to say about Johnson and Burch, why they were the picks; why Monti didn’t decide to trade down despite offers; and JG explains why Walter Nolen III is already off to a great start.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 875 – As Paul Calvisi likes to say, players know players. So, why don’t we get a players’ perspective on Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen III. And it makes sense to hear from a defensive player, right? Well, for the first time in this show’s history, Adrian Wilson stops by. That’s right, Cardinals legend and Ring of Honor member Adrian Wilson joins Calvisi and Craig Grialou. Exactly what are the Cardinals getting in Nolen, who was the 16th pick on night one of the 2025 NFL Draft? What type of player is the 6-foot-4, 296-pound defensive lineman? How will Nolen benefit from a loaded d-line room and veterans like Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson? A-Dub answers all that and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 874 – Why was Walter Nolen III the selection with the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft? In a word, disruptive. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman are back to further discuss the defensive tackle out of Ole Miss. First, they are joined by former Cardinals linebacker Rob Fredrickson; why he likes the addition, what it means for the defense. Later, Craig and Zach are joined by Dani Sureck; call it Cover 3 for the rest of the show. Dani gives her thoughts on Nolen; why the pick made so much sense, how Nolen fits inside a crowded defensive line room. Also, Dani shares her conversations with GM Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon; both of whom she spoke with immediately after Nolen was announced as the pick by the Commissioner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 873 - With the 16th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select: Walter Nolen III, defensive tackle, Ole Miss. Really not a surprise. The Cardinals have prioritized defense for much of the offseason, starting with free agency and again here with their first-round pick. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman react in real time just moments after Nolen was selected and held a conference call with local reporters. The guys explain why they like the pick; what Nolen had to say about joining the Cardinals; what some of the draft analysts thought about Nolen heading into the draft; and what this now means for what is a very loaded defensive line room, which is not a bad thing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 872 - Everyone is familiar with the Swedish rock band Europe, right? No? Well, everyone is - or should be - familiar with “The Final Countdown,” their one and only hit song. Heck, even Zach Gershman knows the music; and after humming a few bars, he and Craig Grialou have one final conversation about the 2025 NFL Draft. What do the latest mock drafts say? Who’s been mocked to the Cardinals at 16 the most? Plus, the two give their own thoughts on what direction they think the team should go in the first round. Also, players are back in the building; the offseason strength and conditioning program is underway. And on Day 1, we heard from Paris Johnson Jr., Michael Wilson and Garrett Williams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 871 - Three days, Bird Gang. Three days until the start of the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s been a long wait, and now that wait is just about over. So, what’s the latest buzz? What is the latest talk, not only league-wide but focused on the Arizona Cardinals? Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss what they’ve heard, what they’ve read; what positions make the most sense with the 16th overall pick. Also, the two examine the list of draft prospects brought in for 30 visits, what possibly can be learned from those reported trips to the team’s facility; and might the Cardinals have a coaching staff advantage when it comes to evaluating draft prospects. First though, Craig and Paul light the Dortch; they talk about Greg Dortch signing his one-year tender.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 870 – It’s become an annual spring tradition: the pre-draft press conference. GMs, and often head coaches, meet with the media and answer questions ahead of the NFL Draft. A lot of words are spoken, but not a lot is said. To put it another way, no one is going to tip their hand or show their cards. Everything is kept very close to the vest. (Have we used enough idioms?!) Still, that doesn’t stop people, including Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck, from trying to read between the lines. Will Monti Ossenfort stick-and-pick at 16? Trade down? Trade up? All options appear to be on the table. All positions, or most positions, seem to be on the table with that first-round selection regardless of what the team has done in free agency. In other words, stay tuned.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 869 - Another day, another day closer to the NFL Draft. Many draft experts, including multiple on this show, have raved about the depth at defensive line in this year's class. But, with the additions of Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell, will the Cardinals target a different position in the first round? Dani Sureck and Zach Gershman discuss all the possibilities. Could it be an offensive lineman? Cornerback? Could it even be a wide receiver at pick 16? Plus, the two talk about what Trey McBride's contract extension says about the organization and how Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon value their own players.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 868 – Cardinals tight end Trey McBride joins Paul Calvisi and Darren Urban to discuss his new four-year contract extension that keeps him signed through the 2029 season. McBride talks about what he was doing when he got the news from his agents, what it’s like to be the NFL’s highest-paid tight end, his future development and the upside of the Cardinals offense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 867 - Six picks. One in each of the first five rounds. The Cardinals don’t have nearly the draft capital as they did a year ago. Still, GM Monti Ossenfort should be able to find some solid players, starters even despite the lack of a lot of star power in the 2025 NFL Draft. That’s how Paige Dimakos of The Draft Network sized up the draft when she joined the show from the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. In addition to the conversation with Dimakos, Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck look at a couple of more mock drafts, ones that target the line of scrimmage but on the offensive side, and discuss why defensive tackle remains in play at pick 16 even after the addition of Calais Campbell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 866 - It may be April Fools' Day but this is no joke. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell, one of the most popular players in modern Cardinals history, is returning to Arizona on a one-year deal. Paul Calvisi and Dani Sureck gather for an impromptu pod to share memories of Calais and forecast what he can mean for the 2025 Cardinals both on and off the field. Entering his 18th NFL season, Campbell is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and has earned many off-field honors including the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 865 - Offensive line. Defensive line. Cornerback. What about wide receiver? With the offseason moves he’s made already, GM Monti Ossenfort can go a number of different directions with the 16th overall pick. And as of now, he has six total picks to work with in the 2025 NFL Draft. So, what positions should be targeted with those selections? Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi have some suggestions, and they look at a handful of the recent mock drafts to gain a better idea of what the experts think. Also, the league is proposing rule changes for the upcoming season. Craig and Paul weigh in on banning the ‘Tush Push,’ amending the current playoff seeding format, and the dynamic kickoff among other possible changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 864 - When you have a franchise quarterback, then you do everything in your power to surround him with talent; and not just on offense but on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals have their franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray, so build around him according to Cynthia Frelund and Marc Ross from the NFL Network. Frelund, an analytics expert, and Ross, a former front office executive, joined both Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck from the Scouting Combine last month in Indianapolis. In addition to QB1, the conversations with the two included what positions the Cardinals should focus on in the draft and just how “wide open” they believe the NFC West is in 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 863 - It started with Josh Sweat. It continued with Dalvin Tomlinson. And let’s not forget about the return of Baron Browning. The Cardinals made the defensive front a priority this offseason. And for good reason, based on last season. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss the investment the team has made at both defensive line and outside linebacker. That dovetails into a conversation about what to do with the 16th pick. Might the Cardinals bypass the defensive front with their first-round draft pick? Look to select a cornerback? What about an offensive lineman? The guys have fun with the latest round of mock drafts, because it is after all a Mock Draft Monday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 862 - Yes, Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson are the two big-name free-agent additions. There was a third defensive player who received a multi-year contract from the Cardinals early in free agency and his name is Akeem Davis-Gaither, or ADG. He’s someone who took advantage of an opportunity late last season with the Cincinnati Bengals, and he hopes to do the same here in Arizona. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman hear from ADG, who sat down with Zach in the TV studio. Zach also had the chance to interview Sweat, Tomlinson and Jacoby Brissett while they were in town; parts of those conversations are played on the show as we get to know the new names and the new faces on the team.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 861 - The regular season doesn’t start for another six months. That said, GM Monti Ossenfort is big on being able to go into the draft without having to select a position of need; go with the best player available regardless of where they play. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck - after a week off, Dani is back - discuss whether that’s what’s been accomplished after the first week of free agency. Are there still positions where the Cardinals might want to address; what about guard, specifically right guard; is a veteran or speed wide receiver needed; and what are we to make of last week’s visit by veteran cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.? Also, if you haven’t heard, Marvin Harrison Jr.’s No. 18 jersey is now available.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 860 - Don’t let the big smile fool you, Bird Gang. Dalvin Tomlinson is here to be a “disruptive” force on the line of scrimmage as he told both Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi following his introductory press conference on Friday. At 6-foot-3 and 325 pounds, the Cardinals new defensive lineman, yes, is a rather imposing figure. Tomlinson joined Craig and Paul in studio to talk about his “whirlwind” week; why he signed with the Cardinals; his pairing with Josh Sweat; and what he hopes to teach a young Darius Robinson. Also, Craig and Paul discuss the other two signings: quarterback Jacoby Brissett and wide receiver Simi Fehoko, the reported addition of offensive lineman Jake Curhan, what other roster moves might be next, and perhaps the biggest news of the week: Marvin Harrison Jr. jerseys are now available.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.