Arizona Cardinals Underground Podcast

The new GM has arrived, and with Monti Ossenfort's hire comes plenty to discuss between Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck. There are the first impressions of the new hire, the decision to hire externally rather than internally, Ossenfort's desire to put his own spin on what he has learned in his career, DeAndre Hopkins' future, Ossenfort's to-do list, dealing with free agents, how to tolerate egos (or not), and who might be the next head coach.

Luckily, the bike cops weren't at the Dignity Health Training Center for Paul Calvisi and Dani Sureck. Of course they weren't there for Darren Urban. So with that Super Bowl intrigue avoided, the trio had a chance to discuss the Cardinals moving on from Kliff Kingsbury and Steve Keim, the need for accountability and what that means in a coach, the importance of the relationship between coach and GM, Kyler Murray's role in all of this, the possibility of Sean Payton, internal vs. external hires, and a farewell to Kliff.

As promised, Dani Sureck created the Paul Calvisi Bingo cards, although we don't have a winner yet. Still, the two – plus Darren Urban – had plenty to chat about going into the season's final game, including the quarterback shuffle, Kyler's recovery, David Blough's opportunity (and facing Nick Bosa), the offensive line going forward, Brock Purdy's emergence, J.J. Watt's final game, the recovery of Damar Hamlin, and some New Year's resolutions.

J.J. Watt surprised everyone with his announcement this week he was retiring, but Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck were probably going to talk about how well the defensive end was playing anyway, so it's an easy segue. The trio discuss Watt's decision, his big final season, the impact he's had on the Cardinals in a short time, and even his Hall of Fame timeline. They also chat about Budda's toughness, how they deal with Baker's absence, how they dealt with Tom Brady and a plan for New Year's Resolutions.

With a Christmas game on deck, Paul Calvisi lets us know about the phrases no one should be using in the workplace. (No, not those phrases. The other ones.) Then he, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck discuss the Cardinals' quarterback quandary, Trace McSorley's likely first start, Tom Brady's troubles, the fight for respect during such a tough season, the drama and distractions of 2022, and why no one should be using the snooze on their alarm clock.

The season isn't over for the Cardinals but it is over for Kyler Murray, and that's mostly what Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck discuss as we hit the final stretch of games. How will Kyler deal with his rehab both mentally and physically? What might the timeline look like, and how the comeback of Joe Burrow might encourage Murray. Other topics include Colt McCoy taking over at QB, how the Cardinals might approach these last games starting with the Broncos, and Paul almost hits his mark after a perfect setup from Dani.

It's a day-early-posting of the podcast coming off the bye, and Paul Calvisi was in such a fog he almost forgot to turn on his mic. Nevertheless, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck rescued Paul from himself as the trio talk about what the expectations are for the final five games of the season. Other topics include battling the Patriots who have almost as long of prep time before next Monday's game, if training camp really impacted 2022, avoiding The Wrath of Aikman, Mac Jones' own sideline yelling, getting Kyler trending upward and building confidence, gaining meaning from the season, seeking upticks from Trey McBride and consistency with Isaiah Simmons, and Paul's sad tale of almost missing his Oregon exit.

Under the umbrella of the U.S. advancing in the World Cup, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck, talk about the other football as the Cardinals hit their Week 13 break. There is, as as always, much to discuss: The bye week plan; playing hard against the Chargers but not finishing; when Kyler talked about how schematically the Cards were fu… ,er, messed up on a fourth-down play; missing deep passes; Hop n' Hollywood'; what James Conner's game means for run production; some contract issues the Cardinals are facing; the play of Simmons and McBride; and a Pat Tillman anecdote that seemed fitting.

Back from Mexico, Paul Calvisi, Darren Urban and Dani Sureck discuss where the Cardinals now compare to the rest of the NFC West, as well as the dismissal of OL coach Sean Kugler, Kyler Murray's status to return, Budda as unquestioned leader, defending the 49ers through the prism of Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins, Greg Dortch's emergence, Thanksgiving needs and Paul finding a way to bellow "Darren!"