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Ep. 766 - On this, National Mascot Day (yes, it's a thing; shout-out to Big Red), Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss where they think the roster has most improved since the end of last season. They take into account free agency and the draft as well as other roster additions. On offense, the guys singled out wide receiver; the selection of Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick, the free-agent signings of Zay Jones and Chris Moore, plus Year 2 of Michael Wilson. Might Greg Dortch be a candidate for breakout player of the year? On defense, no position room underwent a bigger makeover than d-line with five new names while cornerback added four new faces. Both positions are expected to see significant improvement this season.
NOW PLAYING audio Cardinals Cover 2 - Which Position Rooms Have Improved The Most? Ep. 766 - On this, National Mascot Day (yes, it's a thing; shout-out to Big Red), Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss where they think the roster has most improved since the end of last season. They take into account free agency and the draft as well as other roster additions. On offense, the guys singled out wide receiver; the selection of Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick, the free-agent signings of Zay Jones and Chris Moore, plus Year 2 of Michael Wilson. Might Greg Dortch be a candidate for breakout player of the year? On defense, no position room underwent a bigger makeover than d-line with five new names while cornerback added four new faces. Both positions are expected to see significant improvement this season.
NOW PLAYING audio Cardinals Cover 2 - Kyler Murray 'Excited' About Upcoming Season Ep. 764 - The season doesn't kickoff for another three months, but if Kyler Murray had his way, then the Cardinals would be playing a game tomorrow. At least that was the vibe K1 gave on Wednesday when he met with the media for the first time since the season finale against the Seahawks. First and foremost, Murray is healthy. Also, he's excited about the changes the team made in the offseason, none bigger than the drafting of Marvin Harrison Jr. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss what they saw and heard from Murray, who acknowledged he's in a much better place than a year ago at this time. Murray also had nothing but good things to say about both Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch; the latter of whom was brought up - unprompted - by the head coach earlier in the day.
NOW PLAYING audio Cardinals Cover 2 - BJ Ojulari 'Most Definitely' A Double-Digit Sack Player Ep. 763 - It didn't happen a year ago. And before 2023, it was all the way back in 2015 - eight years earlier - in which a Cardinals team did not have a player record at least 10 sacks in a single season. BJ Ojulari, and the rest of the Cardinals outside linebackers, want to make double-digit sack-seasons a yearly occurrence. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss the expectations for Ojulari, who on Monday explained why he's wearing No. 9 rather than 18. Plus, Budda Baker wants to be a Cardinal beyond this season; long-time special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers predicts a big increase in kickoff returns; the joint practices against the Colts in Indianapolis will be at night; and the final week of OTAs brought the heat, quite literally the heat.
NOW PLAYING audio Cardinals Cover 2 - James Conner, O-line Not Satisfied With Last Season's Results Ep. 762 - A top-5 run game a year ago, yet listening to several players talk this offseason, the Cardinals expect to be much better in 2024. Collectively and individually, especially when it comes to James Conner. The offensive linemen have a goal, a goal Paris Johnson Jr. shared with reporters this week. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman reveal the goal as well as discuss the goal Paris has for himself plus the type of leadership Paris hopes to bring to the team. Also, it's Week 2 of OTAs which brought some clarity when it comes to the role(s) both Cameron Thomas and Evan Brown are expected to have this season. And speaking of this season, the new kickoff rule - what will it look like? Zach got a glimpse of it during the open portion of practice on Tuesday.
NOW PLAYING audio Cardinals Cover 2 - 'Double Trouble' Trey Benson Ep. 761 - Size. Speed. Trey Benson has both. The Cardinals rookie running back recently stopped by to talk with Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck. The three discuss Benson's draft-day phone call(s); how fast he really is; meeting now teammate Michael Carter ahead of the draft; learning special teams; and why he's wearing No. 33. Benson is expected to have a big role this season. The same can be said for several of the team's draft picks. Craig and Dani look at one projection; from how many rushing and receiving yards for Benson and Marvin Harrison Jr., respectively, to how well Max Melton and Darius Robinson will do defensively. Plus, some more observations - and that's all they are - from the first week of organized team activities, or OTAs for short.
NOW PLAYING audio Cardinals Cover 2 - Paris Johnson Jr. On The Move Ep. 760 - What had been speculated became official on Monday: Paris Johnson Jr. is moving to left tackle. And really, it makes sense. For starters, it's the position Johnson Jr. played in college. Also, Jonah Williams, who the Cardinals signed to a big-money free-agent contract this offseason, played a solid right tackle a year ago for the Cincinnati Bengals. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss the news on what was the first day of Phase 3 of the offseason strength and condition program. Other topics the guys dove into included the addition of Zay Jones to the wide receiver room; how Kyler Murray is spending time with his teammates away from the facility; joint practices will be held against the Indianapolis Colts ahead of the second preseason game; and the weekend-retirement announcement by former Cardinals running back David Johnson.
NOW PLAYING audio Cardinals Cover 2 – Rapid Reaction: 2024 Schedule Released Ep. 759 - It's out. The Arizona Cardinals schedule has been released. The who and the where have been known for months, but now we know the order in which the Cardinals will play their 17 regular-season games. Craig Grialou, Dani Sureck and Paul Calvisi have their thoughts, i.e., the tough stretch to begin the season, three straight weeks with a home game, no back-to-back east coast trips, and division matchups in four of the final seven games. Plus, the Cardinals received one primetime game; their bye week is Week 11 – a little earlier than the previous two seasons; and they have five early kickoffs, including three at 10 a.m. There is no international game as well as no game on Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas. So, who's ready for the season?
