Cardinals Cover 2

Ep. 409 - It would seem to be one of life’s necessary evils: putting a grade on a team’s offseason moves, be it a signing or acquisition by trade. Yet, by all accounts, the Cardinals have done very well for themselves according to the so-called experts. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki review some of the grades given. Plus, what do the guys make of the 49ers now holding the No. 3 overall pick in the...

Ep. 408 - It was a need heading into free agency, and it remained a need after the first week of free agency. But no longer. News broke Thursday that the Cardinals had agreed to terms with Malcolm Butler on a one-year contract, filling a need at the top cornerback position. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss the move to add a proven veteran, though each would like to see another move or two at...

Ep. 407 - It’s not often an offensive lineman catches the attention of a fan base. Yet, that’s exactly what happened when the Cardinals acquired Rodney Hudson. And for good reason. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss why Hudson not only makes the entire offensive line better but should help with the improvement of Kyler Murray as he enters year three. Also, there are a number of reasons why a p...

Ep. 406 - It was a good run. Correction. It was a great run. And now it’s over. Patrick Peterson will be wearing a Vikings uniform this season. Yes, it’s going to be odd to see. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss what Peterson meant to the team both on and off the field, including all of his good deeds in the community. There’s no question Peterson was less than his best the past two years, ye...

Ep. 405 - Seems fitting that here on St. Patrick’s Day, green would be the word of the day for the Cardinals during the first day of the new league year. First, A.J. Green agrees to terms, satisfying the team’s need to find a No. 2 wide receiver. Then, center Rodney Hudson is acquired via trade with the Raiders which following the re-signing of right tackle Kelvin Beachum, adds another veteran pie...

Ep. 404 - Well, it looks like the frenzy has already begun. There's a lot of legal tampering going on. The Cardinals made their first move by agreeing to terms with linebacker Markus Golden on a two-year deal. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki welcome back the ‘Junkyard Dog’. They then wonder who’s next and what positions might the team most want to address here when free agency officially starts on...

Ep. 403 - It’s been a frequent question asked since the arrival of Kliff Kingsbury. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki bring it once again as they examine the tight end position. Only two other teams, the Eagles and Titans, ran two-tight end sets more than the Cardinals last season. Plus, the guys discuss special teams—a kicker and punter are both needed—to conclude their position-by-position breakdow...

Ep. 402 - From year one to year two, Kyler Murray made a lot of improvement. He’s shown he can make all the throws and be an effective runner. But what’s next for the young quarterback? Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss as they continue their position-by-position breakdown ahead of free agency. And speaking of free agency, the guys make the argument for the Cardinals to invest in a quality ve...

Ep. 401 - Call it the trickle-down effect. What does the arrival of J.J. Watt mean for Haason Reddick and Markus Golden? Those two players are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss the team’s options at outside linebacker as the guys resume their position-by-position breakdown. Also, the inside linebacker spot is examined with an emphasis on how much...

Ep. 400 - The signing of J.J. Watt checks a lot of boxes the Cardinals wanted to address in the offseason. But there are still several more boxes that need to be filled if this team hopes to be playing games deep into January. So, what is that next box? Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki give their thoughts after hearing from general manager Steve Keim who spoke to the media on Wednesday. How aggressi...

Ep. 399 - Everyone wanted to know J.J. Watt chose to sign with the Arizona Cardinals. There were a number of factors, he said on Tuesday, but the biggest might’ve been Kyler Murray. Watt said he texted Murray, “I’m here because I believe in you.” That’s quite the endorsement. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss what that text message means for Murray and the Cardinals going forward. Also, Watt...

Ep. 398 - No one saw this coming. No one. Just an absolute stunner. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki react to the team agreeing to terms with J.J. Watt, one of the better defensive players in the league. It certainly has the chance to be a game-changer. Just think, Watt on one side and Chandler Jones on the other rushing opposing quarterbacks. The guys also wonder about the trickle-down effect, like...

Ep. 397 - Teams are always looking to improve, and offensive line coach/run game coordinator Sean Kugler made it clear on Thursday that the Cardinals need to improve the production they received at the center position. But how? Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki offer some suggestions plus discuss the future of the entire right side of the line given that Week 1 starters J.R. Sweezy and Kelvin Beachum...

Ep. 396 - The free-agent market is starting to see some new names added to the field and yes, the biggest might be former Houston Texan J.J. Watt. Do the Cardinals have interest? It certainly can’t hurt to pick up the phone to find out. He plays a position where the team might have a need. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki talk Watt as part of a larger discussion about the defensive line. Also, the t...

Ep. 395 - As well as DeAndre Hopkins played last season, just think how much better he might have been if he had consistent help from another receiver to take attract some attention. The question Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki ask is if that receiver—Christian Kirk, Andy Isabella and KeeSean Johnson—is currently on the roster or might the team look at free agency and the draft to fill what is an i...

Ep. 394 - When discussing the cornerback position, the first thing that needs to be addressed is Patrick Peterson. Will he be re-signed or will he continue his career elsewhere? That question will likely be answered sooner rather than later when the new league year begins. The secondary as a whole, including what to expect next from Budda Baker, is on the minds of Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki. A...

Ep. 393 – Running back Kenyan Drake is scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency when the new league year begins in March. Will Drake return to Arizona to team with Chase Edmonds in the backfield? Or will the Cardinals look to add to the position through free agency or the draft? These are just some of the questions Craig Grialou and an apparently “old” Mike Jurecki address as they begin their ann...

Ep. 392 - Welcome to the offseason. There are no more games to be played, so it’s time to focus on 2021. How many of the Cardinals’ current free agents are likely to return? Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki look at the 32 players, 28 who will reach unrestricted status come March 17. Before that discussion, however, the guys give a tip of the cap to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—including all those former...

Ep. 391 - Larry Fitzgerald addressed his future this week and to nobody's surprise, he did not provide an answer. However, we are getting closer to knowing whether or not Fitzgerald will play an 18th season. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki discuss why the team needs clarity on Fitz's situation perhaps sooner rather than later. Also, the guys break down Kyler Murray's recent comments and offer a Sup...

Ep. 390 - Things just got a lot more interesting in the NFC West. According to reports, the Rams will be moving on from Jared Goff. They are expected to acquire Lions QB Matthew Stafford as part of a trade involving a swap of former No. 1 overall draft picks. What does this mean for the Cardinals? Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki give their thoughts. Plus, the guys recap Kyler Murray’s virtual MVP p...

Ep. 389 - A recent Instagram post by Kyler Murray shed some light on how the Cardinals starting quarterback intends to spend the offseason. It’s looking to be a volatile offseason when it comes to quarterback movement in NFL. Just none of it involving Murray. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki explain how fortunate the Cardinals are to have found their franchise quarterback, who will be featured promi...

Ep. 388 - The Academy has spoken. Actually, it was a 27-member panel that voted for AZCardinals.com’s annual end-of-season awards. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki are joined by Kyle Odegard to discuss the winners in six different categories. And when it came to Offensive Player of the Year, there was some spirited debate between Jurecki and Odegard. Also, stay tuned following the announcement of th...

Ep. 387 - Year one with the Cardinals could not have gone any better for DeAndre Hopkins, and here’s hoping it is a sign of things to come as he works with Kyler Murray to further their on-field chemistry. Hopkins made several highlight-reel catches, many of which landed on the offensive edition of the team’s Top Plays of 2020. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki are joined by Kyle Odegard to count dow...

Ep. 386 - A second season with Vance Joseph as defensive coordinator paid dividends. That unit performed better than expected. Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki are joined by Kyle Odegard to count down the top-five plays on that side of the ball. Also, the best special teams plays are discussed. Plus, the postseason moves into its second weekend. Grialou and Jurecki break down each of the four divisi...

Ep. 385 - With the regular season complete, players are beginning to receive recognition for their efforts. Budda Baker and DeAndre Hopkins were both named to the 2020 All-Pro Team. Meanwhile, Haason Reddick was overlooked for NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December. He certainly deserved better according to Craig Grialou and Mike Jurecki. Also, the guys discuss the results from a fun Super...