Arizona Cardinals Underground Podcast

Virtual slime might help a TV broadcast – thanks, Nickelodeon! – but probably not impact where the Cardinals stand in the NFC West or what they need to fix. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard take a look at the playoffs and what NFC West rivals the Rams and Seahawks looked like, and how that reflects and challenges the Cardinals. As for the on-vacation Cards, a brief look at what ails them, along with positions of need. That could include wide receiver, where Andy Isabella is still trying to find his way and Larry Fitzgerald has a bunch of pros and cons to weigh before deciding on retirement or an 18th season. Oh, and what could happen at running back, too.

Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard only traffic in the latest info – and that's all about the Cardinals' disappointing end to the season and the offseason ahead. So the trio discuss the emotions of the finish, the backup quarterback situation, Kyler Murray's health, the stunning offensive dropoff, the need to add a wide receiver, the Cards' place in the NFC West, the biggest defensive need, Isaiah Simmons, P2's future, fan frustration and the huge accomplishment of head athletic trainer Tom Reed.

It's very simple for the Cardinals, a grading scale of in or out – beat the Rams, it's the playoffs. Lose, and you are done. Not a bad topic for Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard, who discuss playoff scenarios, the hard-to-explain loss to the 49ers, the mystery of the up-and-down offense, the Rams losing QB Jared Goff, backup QBs and the Chris Streveler's potential legendary role, Kyler Murray's health, new Rams QB John Wolford, the stingy Rams defense and parallels to the 2008 Super Bowl team.

Time is running out for gift-buying – Paul Calvisi is freaking out – but the Cards have the perfect gift for their fans and themselves if they can get into the playoffs. Maybe the Cards can clinch a spot this weekend? Certainly worth a discussion between Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard, along with DeAndre Hopkins' freakishness, Kyler's continued shiny moments (while looking for consistency), a potential last home game – without fans? – for Larry Fitzgerald, the impact of a banged-up Dennis Gardeck, and the surprising return of Josh Rosen.

After Haason Reddick sacked the Big Apple, there is much to talk about with the linebacker's breakout season, including the emotions of the day, his learning curve to get there and what it means for the free-agent market as well as the Cards' defense. But Reddick isn't the only topic for Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard. There's also the pass rush by committee and Dennis Gardeck's impact, dealing with Eagles rookie QB Jalen Hurts, the postseason implications of Eagles-Cardinals, Kliff's offensive adjustments, the use of Christian Kirk and Dan Arnold, and the kicking question of Gonzalez/Nugent.

The Cardinals are seeking their lost offense, and Paul Calvisi's catchy slogans aren't enough to fix things. Still, Paul, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard discuss it all in depth, from what defenses are showing the Cards, Kyler Murray's struggles, the disappearing chunk plays, routing D-Hop and yes, Kyler running (or not.) They also talk about potential offensive tweaks, expectations for both K1 and the Cards this season, a need for a Chandler-less pass rush, a call for more Isaiah Simmons, Chase Edmonds New York state of mind, and the return of Larry Legend.

The Cardinals head into December's stretch run still in control of their playoff destiny, but after a November that put a dent into those hopes and a brutal loss in New England, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard try to remember that nothing lasts forever. So in hopes of a bounceback month, the guys discuss the odd struggles of the offense and Kyler Murray's progress, the targets and use of DeAndre Hopkins, what to do in short yardage (Kyle says to think of the process), a defense exceeding expectations, the Niners' "move" to Arizona, and a Carson Palmer callback.

Kyler Murray wants to make sure his shoulder is OK and Isaiah Simmons wants to make sure he can help carry a banged-up defense, and both are natural topics for Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard on this week's episode. Also on tap: Kyler's ability to run in New England, a league-leading offense that still could do more, penalty problems that won't seem to go away, Patriots road games past, Belichick and Cam against the Cards' D, and some odd charter flight memories.

An amazing finish and a short week, so of course Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard are going to go deep on the Hail Murray, that Kyler MVP consideration, the parts of the Cards that need improvement if they are to stay in the race to win the division, the potential of the Cardinals earning more national TV games, the Seahawks' issues, one-time third-round draft pick Random Variance, Kenyan Drake's big return to the lineup, and how the trip to Seattle will be eerie without the fans.

Don't let a hard loss for the Cardinals blur how great the team's QB is becoming, in this Kyler Murray-heavy episode. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard debate K1's standing – already – as the top dual-threat QB there has been; Kyler's growth as runner and passer; certain playcalls against Miami; Kyler's interesting press conference; the holes on the defense; Markus Golden's excellent homecoming and what's out there the second half of the season.

Coming out of the bye week, the Cardinals were left having to deal with COVID issues within the defense. Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard talk about potentially losing Devon Kennard and Byron Murphy and why they have the depth to get through it; why stats aren't always everything and a way back story from 2004; How to deal with newbie Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa; those pesky bye issues; how the NFC Playoffs might shake out; Chase Edmonds' time to shine; and oh, that start to 2012.

Thank goodness the temperatures are finally dropping -- just as the Cardinals are getting hot. Sure, the bye weekend looms, but Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard have things they have to get off their chest, like what team might be left standing atop the NFC West, how the way the defense responded in the second half against the Seahawks, Patrick Peterson's big game, Kenyan Drake's injury and who will back up Chase Edmonds, the addition of Markus Golden to the pass rush, and just what Cardinal might make the best bodyguard if you ended up in an untoward situation.

Sure, if you get all your information only from Wikipedia, that might not be the best course of action, but if you listen to Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard, there is plenty to learn about the Cardinals. In this week's episode, they discuss the unique skillset of Kyler Murray and how the stats aren't always going to show his production; the metamorphosis, déjà vu-style, of the offense; Kenyan Drake's jump-cut into his 2019 version; defensive excellence in Dallas and how it can translate against the Seahawks; and the frequently rough time of battling Seattle at State Farm Stadium.

With Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray about to return to their home state for "Monday Night Football," Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard talk about how the K2+K1 offense finally broke out in some important ways, how they might fare against a struggling Cowboys defense, the Chase Edmonds effect, how the defense will make it work without Chandler Jones, dealing with a Cowboys offense without Dak Prescott, and Kyler's magical high school career in Dallas where he played in front of huge crowds even when he was a teen.

With a tip of the cap to the late Eddie Van Halen, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard search his discography to see what applies to the struggling Cardinals, who go to New York this week needing a win badly. The Cards' inconsistent passing game is a topic, and the guys also discuss how high the bar should be for Kyler Murray in Year 2, how close Kenyan Drake is to showing like 2019, finding energy where it isn't (and whether it matters), being stout against the run, Patrick Peterson's place on the field, the ties that bind Kliff Kingsbury and Adam Gase, and of course, Paul's scoops.

The Cardinals are trying to shake off their first loss while Budda Baker's thumb makes them thin at safety, so Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard discuss what to do however long Baker is down – including the potential of Isaiah Simmons playing safety instead of linebacker – as well as Kyler Murray's influence on the outcome, what the QB must still work on, DeAndre Hopkins' fantabulous start, the receivers beyond D-Hop, Chandler Jones' sack seeking, and HOA madness.

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.