Arizona Cardinals Underground Podcast

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.

With the Cardinals building up their offense in the offseason – and knowing RB Kenyan Drake will return for sure – just what will Kliff Kingsbury do on that side of the ball? Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard, from their respective satellite offices, discuss that, as well as how DeAndre Hopkins helps Larry Fitzgerald, what to do with right tackle and the draft, and that $1 million Cardinals donation in a time of the coronavirus crisis.

It's official, the arrival of all-pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a deal with the Texans for running back David Johnson, and Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard take a look at how the Cardinals now look with Hopkins, adding him to Kenyan Drake, the ability to move Johnson (and his contract), and the other free-agent additions that have made this a busy week for GM Steve Keim.

With Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard the boots on the ground at the NFL Scouting combine, they join Paul Calvisi to break down the wealth of talented wide receivers available in the draft, why defense might make sense in the first round, Kenyan Drake's free agent situation and the intelligence of staying inside in Indianapolis.

The starters are done with the preseason, so Darren Urban, Kyle Odegard and Paul Calvisi consider rookie Kyler Murray's progress, Michael Crabtree's arrival and the receivers, positions the Cards may seek waiver wire depth, and answer the important question: Snap clap? Or clap snap?

Linebackers coach Bill Davis joins Paul Calvisi and Darren Urban to talk about the benefits of the 3-4 defense, Haason Reddick's development, the addition of Jordan Hicks, and returning to the NFL after spending time at Ohio State.

The draft creeps closer but the Cardinals are playing it close to the vest with the No. 1 overall pick, so Darren Urban, Kyle Odegard and Paul Calvisi do the best they can to sort through the what-ifs, the potential of drafting Kyler Murray, Kliff Kingsbury's offense when it hits the grass next week and a goodnight message from Russell Wilson.

Larry Fitzgerald may be getting in some Harvard lessons, but the wide receiver is coming back, so Darren Urban, Kyle Odegard and Paul Calvisi discuss not only his return but what the offense and, more importantly, quarterback Josh Rosen need to do to get the Cardinals to a good level. Can the Super Bowl Rams be a blueprint?