Cardinals Underground

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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