Arizona Cardinals Underground Podcast

Yes, it's only two games, so no one should proclaim a finished product. But Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard still have plenty good to talk about, like Kyler's legs, Fitz's position, an offense spreading its wings, the pros and cons of going for it on fourth down – especially deep in your own end, a defense standing out but one that will be tested by a Lions' passing offense, how good De'Vondre Campbell has been (and what that means for Isaiah Simmons) and a schedule that (shhh) sets up nicely. Not that Kliff Kingsbury is gonna let his team think about it.

The Cardinals are 1-0 and have plenty of things to be encouraged by, including their new pitch-and-catch combo of Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard discuss that and Murray's wheels, Fitz's three-point play, a defense on the rise, new linebackers Isaiah Simmons and De'Vondre Campbell, Byron Murphy stepping up, a favorable schedule, tweets that have traction and proper use of an exclamation point.

DeAndre Hopkins makes sure he's going to be a Cardinal for a while negotiating on his own a contract extension through 2024, and what better to signal the start of a season – and a new era – as the 49ers await. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard talk Nuk's bucks, as well as the offense he'll be in, the non-surprising final cuts, Isaiah Simmons' potential role, the battle between Kliff Kingsbury and Kyle Shanahan, and the unknown of a road game under COVID protocols.

The Cardinals are about to close training camp and make their final cuts, which is perfect podcast fodder. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard talk Kliff Kingsbury favorites from the Red & White Practice, those guys near the end of the roster who are fighting for jobs, the battle for the No. 2 quarterback, Kyler Murray's confidence in Year Two, Andy Isabella's potential impact after a good camp, how high to set the Isaiah Simmons bar, fun with faux crowd noise and Paul's lack of parental visits.

Whether it's the new contract for Budda Baker or the buzz Dan Arnold has suddenly garnered, we've reached the hype part of training camp. Who better than Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard to join the wave of optimism about those two, the hope of Dre Kirkpatrick at cornerback, Isaiah Simmons' potential and the upgrades at inside linebacker, the impact of Jordan Phillips, the meaning of the Red and White Practice and Paul's dear departed computer battery.

The Cardinals are again trying to figure out their cornerback situation after the loss of Robert Alford, so Darren Urban, Kyle Odegard and Paul Calvisi jump into that conversation, as well as discussion about DeAndre Hopkins' hamstring, the wide receiver room beyond the big trio, a beefier defensive line, and the decibel level of stadiums that might not have any fans.

After COVID-19 wiped out offseason work, training camp practices are finally underway. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard discuss the State Farm Stadium setup and what to expect on the field, including position battles, the DeAndre Hopkins-Patrick Peterson matchup, Andy Isabella's playing time and Chandler Jones' pursuit of the NFL sack record.

As the NFL world evolves while dealing with the coronavirus, the Cardinals are dealing with several questions, including the right tackle battle now that Marcus Gilbert opted out for the season. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard discuss that dynamic, as well as the protocols with which players must deal, Isaiah Simmons' first on-field work, DeAndre Hopkins' chemistry with Kyler Murray, the no-huddle possibilities, the Patrick Peterson revenge tour and Kyle's chess greatness long forgotten.

As Kliff Kingsbury said, the Cardinals are entering uncharted territory with a training camp filled with COVID-19 protocols – and Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard are also trying to figure out this new NFL world. Among the topics: If the Cards may have any players opt out, what happens until the team gets on the field for practices in mid-August, how the limited practice time and continued virtual meetings could impact the season, potential camp battles (or if there can even be any), the Seahawks' trade for Jamal Adams, and Paul's sideline chances in 2020.

Players soon will be arriving for a training camp like no other – literally, as the NFL and the Cardinals figure out how to get ready for a season in the coronavirus world. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard discuss just how camp might look and what it means for the Cardinals, how each of the draft picks might be impacted by the tumultuous offseason, how the addition of Kelvin Beachum impacts the offensive line, and Paul notes Patrick Mahomes' Hall of Fame chances.

The defensive side of the ball needed a lot of work after an up-and-down 2019, so Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard break down all aspects of the overall unit within the dead of the offseason – what part of the group generates the most confidence, what unit has the most to prove, what player(s) might surprise and what expectations make sense for the revamped unit.

The Cardinals have come a long way on the offensive side of the ball just since the beginning of 2019. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard break down all aspects of the overall unit within the dead of the offseason – what unit generates the most confidence, what unit has the most to prove, what player(s) might surprise and what Kliff Kingsbury might (or might not) do to tweak the playbook as he heads into his second season.

A lot of questions facing the NFL and Cardinals because of the pandemic, so Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard consider what it could mean going forward – like memories of the last time there wasn't an offseason during the lockout of 2011, the possibilities of adjusting the preseason schedule, what players were hurt by losing the on-field work, any roster needs heading into camp, and the Cardinals' chances to climb to the top of the NFC West.

So much is expected of quarterback Kyler Murray this season, so Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard go with the Kyler-centric episode while Murray hosts his skill-position teammates over in Dallas, discussing Murray's strong beliefs in anti-racism, his confidence in himself, his lack of fear of losing on-field work this offseason, and the areas in which he might need to improve the most.

The Cardinals cut their virtual meetings short and never got on the field – something Larry Fitzgerald wasn't going to be upset about – and so Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard discuss that, the unknown heading into whenever training camp might arrive, Fitz's spot in an offense that now has DeAndre Hopkins, and how Christian Kirk fits as well.

After a week away, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard return to the podcast to discuss how the Cardinals and Kliff Kingsbury have handled the recent anti-racism protests in the country, Kyler Murray's need to throw to his receivers before training camp, Patrick Peterson's overflowing optimism, Byron Murphy's learning curve and, in light of the ongoing Cardinals Archives series, remembering the emotions of the 2008 playoff run.

Leadership matters, whether it's Kyler Murray while he's on his way to an MVP-like season (as so many national pundits are predicting) or linebacker De'Vondre Campbell with his new team. It also matters as Paul Calvisi tries to wrangle Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard as they discuss Murray, Campbell, how the touches will work on offense, Andy Isabella's speed, 4th-and-15 "onside kicks" and who exactly would play Paul in a movie.

Patrick Peterson has high hopes about the Cards going into 2020, and his comments are good fodder for Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard, who chew on the concept of an upgraded roster, how 2016 might be something to think about with growing hype, Chandler Jones' growing reputation this offseason as one of the best in the game, and how the NFL is again trying to help become more diverse.

As the Cardinals proceed with a virtual offseason, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard discuss the notion Kyler Murray is among the top MVP candidates; the idea of Isaiah Simmons at one position yet everywhere; a schedule that will make for a tough finish; and Michael Jordan's longtime Cardinal buddy, Roy Green.

The Cardinals have their 90 guys for the offseason – whatever that offseason might look like – so Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard take a look at what on the roster might still need help, the future of Kenyan Drake, the wide receiver corps as it stands, a Mexico-City-less schedule release and Isaiah Simmons' rookie-year role.

The draft seemed to work out pretty well for the Cardinals, beginning with Isaiah Simmons. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard have had their say on Simmons before, but now that he's really in Arizona, where does he fit? And all those other picks, from Josh Jones' drop to a pair of defensive linemen, a Pat Tillman-esque linebacker and Enoooooo, where might they all make their place in 2020?

We've arrived at the draft. There's a mini-eight pick mock from Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard, just to set up who we think the Cardinals might take at 8. Plus, now that DeAndre Hopkins is finally, officially, a Cardinal, they discuss how he considers himself the best wide receiver in the league, how that could impact the Cards' draft, and exactly what might go into a Cards' potential first-round trade?

So who will the Cardinals take with their first pick of next week's draft? Perfect clarity is impossible, but that won't stop Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard from trying to make sense of it all, and whether the chances of trading down might just have increased this year. Offensive line makes so much sense in the first round, and perhaps a defensive player, while it's tough to make an argument for a pass catcher. There might be a little bit of uniform talk. A little.

As the Cardinals close in on a draft where the decision-makers will all be quarantined in their individual houses, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard take their turn – in their own houses – discussing the preparations and potential pitfalls of a remote draft, the fit of Jordan Phillips in the defense, and the relative NFL worth of Kyler Murray compared to other quarterbacks.

The coronavirus is keeping everyone socially distant – so Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard have a perfect reason to sit and talk about how the NFL will deal with an offseason and draft of Zoom and Skype, the move to bring back Marcus Gilbert and the right tackle situation, the Cards' recent history at No. 2 edge rusher, and the big second year coming for the 2019 rookies.