Cardinals Cover 2

Ep. 459 - Teams must reduce their rosters to a maximum of 53 players by Tuesday afternoon. How that happens can be done in a number of different ways. And even after that magic number of 53 has been reached, there may still be changes ahead of Week 1. In other words, don’t get too comfortable. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss some of the more difficult decisions ahead. Plus, the guys review...

Ep. 458 - For those hoping to see Kyler Murray play some more here in the preseason, you’re out of luck. Murray won’t play in Saturday’s game at New Orleans. And he is not expected to be the only starter who will watch from the sidelines. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss what they hope to see in the preseason finale. Grialou has his own wish list for which players he hopes are in uniform. Bo...

Ep. 457 - Money talks and Andy Lee was willing to listen. In a monetary transaction this week, Rondale Moore purchased the No. 4 jersey from Lee, who will now wear No. 14. How much money exchanged hands between the two parties isn’t known though Kingsbury said Moore “was very happy to get the number.” Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki also discuss the forthcoming end to training camp. What did they l...

Ep. 456 - Well, it was good to see No. 99 practicing on Monday. That’s right, J.J. Watt is back. He participated in his first training camp practice. He wasn’t alone. Dennis Gardeck was also activated off the physically unable to perform list and Andy Isabella was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list. It was an eventful way to begin the week. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss all of the a...

Ep. 455 - It’s the question every head coach faces in the preseason: How long do you play the starters? Well, for the second straight week, Kliff Kingsbury wasn’t very definitive. “You’ll have to tune in,” he said. OK, we will. In the meantime, Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss who they hope to see on the field against the Chiefs on Friday. Tops on their list is Kyler Murray, even if it’s for...

Ep. 454 - Job No. 1 of a wide receiver is to catch the ball. Tight ends are mainly asked to block. Each position group, however, must be able to both catch and block when needed. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss the value of a blocking receiver in the run game—we needed a camera on Jurecki during his analysis—and a sure-handed tight end in the pass game. Also, there may be some coaching in D...

Ep. 453 - It did not take long for first-round draft pick Zaven Collins to flash in his first NFL action. In fact, it was the second play of the game. Collins wasn’t the only rookie to make a good first impression. The entire draft class stood out including receiver Rondale Moore. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki look back at Friday’s preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys. Also, the guys discu...

Ep. 452 - With the preseason opener coming up on Friday, Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss what they want to see and, maybe more importantly, who they want to see in action. The starters probably won’t play much, so there will be plenty of opportunity for the younger guys on the depth chart to, as they say, get exposure rather than get exposed. Remember, there are 31 other teams players are a...

Ep. 451 - The longest week of training camp culminated with the annual Red & White practice. So what stood out? Or, maybe more importantly, who stood out? Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki give their thoughts on what they saw, and what they didn’t see—a number of players did not practice. Plus, the guys discuss the offensive line, specifically Rodney Hudson and his impact on the offense. Also, Josh J...

Ep. 450 - Four roster spots are secure at wide receiver: DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green, Christian Kirk and Rondale Moore. But who else is in that room makes the 53-man roster? Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki debate. And yes, it's early. The Cardinals haven’t even played a preseason game yet. Speaking of the preseason, the guys agreed with Kingsbury. They, too, are looking forward to seeing what Eno B...

Ep. 449 - So it’s supposed to be a surprise, and it still might be. On Wednesday, Rondale Moore informed the media he bought his mom a house but she doesn’t know about it yet. Well, she might now. Moore has been among the early standouts in training camp. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss Moore’s expected role on the team and the competition at wide receiver overall. Also, Corey Peters is bac...

Ep. 448 - Open. Honest. Very candid. That was Jordan Hicks after practice on Saturday. He took us behind closed doors on what happened this offseason. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki react to what they heard. Both agreed they are happy Hicks is still on the team, and maybe more importantly, willing to help Zaven Collins learn the position. That can’t be easy. Also, the guys continue to be impressed...

Ep. 447 - For the first time in two years, the Cardinals held a training camp practice with fans in attendance. Kliff Kingsbury said, “It was awesome.” Kyler Murray mentioned, “It felt normal.” Welcome back, Birdgang. For those not in attendance on Friday, Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discussed what stood out to them. Without question, the offense was ahead of the defense. Murray was very, very...

Ep. 446 - Yes, it’s been only two practices. And, no, neither practice has been in pads. Yet, it’s been hard not to notice both Robert Alford and A.J. Green making play after play on the field. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki give their thoughts on what they’ve seen thus far from two players who the Cardinals have high hopes for this season. Also, the guys provide an update on J.J. Watt’s sore hams...

Ep. 445 - Everyone was all smiles. And that included Chandler Jones, who Kliff Kingsbury described as “jovial” on the first day of training camp. Jones’ attendance as well as Jordan Hicks reporting on time were something both Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki wanted to see on Day 1. Jones and Hicks were among the most talked about players this offseason. Also, the guys discussed why it was good playe...

Ep. 444 - It’s time. Time for 90 players to report to training camp with the goal of making the 2021 Arizona Cardinals Football Club. It’s Year 3 for Kyler Murray. Is he ready to take that next step? How do all the new additions, like J.J. Watt, fit in? What’s going on with Chandler Jones? And, oh yeah, might we see Larry Fitzgerald? Those are some of the top storylines to follow. Plus, Craig Gria...

Ep. 443 - It’s often the least talked about, and more times than not, just simply overlooked. Special teams. That changes on today’s show as Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki close out their position-by-position analysis leading into training camp. Matt Prater is the new kicker. He definitely should improve the Cardinals’ record in one-score games. Plus, rookie wide receiver Rondale Moore is expected...

Ep. 442 - No one expected it, and for some, it may still be hard to believe. J.J. Watt is an Arizona Cardinal. It was the first big move of the offseason and, we can say now, a sign of things to come in terms of how active the front office would be in trying to improve the team. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss what Watt's addition means both on and off the field. There’s no question he’ll b...

Ep. 441 - There is no argument to be made. From top to bottom, the NFC West is expected to be the most competitive division and hardest to win in 2021. The Seahawks are perennial playoff contenders; the Rams have averaged double-digit wins over the past four seasons; and the 49ers are just two years removed from reaching the Super Bowl. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki preview the division with thos...

Ep. 440 - There is a lot to like about Kyler Murray. His skillset is undeniable. And he’s shown through two seasons how effective he can be on a football field. So what’s next for the Cardinals starting quarterback? Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss where they’d like to see Murray take that next step as he enters his third season. Also, the quarterback position overall is in better shape in 2...

Ep. 439 - For three seasons now, Chase Edmonds has waited his turn. His wait ends this year. Edmonds is expected to be the starting running back in 2021, but he won’t be asked to carry the load by himself. Welcome to the team, James Conner. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss the pairing of Edmonds and Conner in the running backs room plus examine the depth behind those two players. Is running...

Ep. 438 - Starting a pair of young inside linebackers is a risk, but it’s a risk the Cardinals believe is worth taking given the respective skillsets of Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins. They are much too talented to keep off the field. Plus, as Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss, the two will have plenty of experience surrounding them on the football field. Simmons and Collins will be asked t...

Ep. 437 - On paper, and that’s all anyone has to go on right now, the pairing of DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green at wide receiver looks good. Very good. The addition of Green was among a handful of moves made to upgrade and improve the depth at the position. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss all of what happened this offseason, including the hiring of Shawn Jefferson to be the new wide receive...

Ep. 436 - Ask Vance Joseph about the cornerback position and he immediately points to Byron Murphy. “He can be one of our better players on defense,” Joseph said during minicamp. Murphy is the veteran in the room, at least in terms of who has worn the Cardinals uniform the longest. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss the improvement made by Murphy and the overall depth at the position. Cornerba...

Ep. 435 - Often overlooked, the tight end position may prove to be a valuable cog in the offensive machine this season. A healthy Maxx Williams would certainly help in that matter. Williams is the one tight end currently on the roster who can both catch and block on a consistent basis. So, then does the tight end room need to be addressed before training camp? Yes, according to the decision makers...