Cardinals Cover 2

Ep. 958 - Last week, it was the second-ranked defense. This week, it’s the top-ranked defense. In other words, Jacoby Brissett has been and will once again be challenged as he and the Cardinals head to Houston in Week 15. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman preview Sunday’s matchup against the Texans. Their discussion begins with an injury report - spoiler alert: five players, and not just any five players but five starters will not play - and then continues as Craig and Zach venture into enemy territory. John Harris joins the show. He covers the Texans for HoustonTexans-dot-com plus he’s the team’s sideline reporter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 957 - Trust is earned, and Michael Wilson has earned the trust of his coaches and teammates. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss what they’ve seen from Wilson during his stretch as WR1, relay what they’ve heard others say about Wilson’s elite production and then try to forecast what’s next for the third-year pro out of Stanford. Plus, there’s good news and not so good news on the injury front; Walter Nolen III was back at practice on Wednesday, but Marvin Harrison Jr. was not. In fact, there were a number of players missing from practice. Also, some unfortunate news on running back Trey Benson. He will not return this season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 956 - There’s losing a game and then there’s getting beat. And on Sunday, the Cardinals were beaten “in every facet,” according to head coach Jonathan Gannon, who added the 45-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams was “very humbling.” Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi look back at what went wrong; why the offense couldn’t stay on the field, why the defense couldn’t get off the field. The Cardinals saw firsthand just how good the Rams are here in 2025. Also, the Cardinals can’t escape the injury bug (three more players got hurt) and Paul hands out his weekly Angry Bird Award. It goes to Michael Wilson, a brand new father who has elevated his game when WR1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 955 - Breaking news on a Football Friday. Kyler Murray, as announced by head coach Jonathan Gannon, will not play again this season. Now, what does that mean for next season? Great question. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman react to the news before turning their attention to the Los Angeles Rams, the first place Rams and the No. 2 seed in the NFC. They are playing good football, really good football thanks in large part to MVP candidate Matthew Stafford. Also, Craig and Zach go over the long list of players who are not playing on Sunday plus head into enemy territory. Stu Jackson joins the show. He’s the senior staff writer for therams-dot-com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 954 - You get what you pay for. But the Arizona Cardinals may be getting more than what they paid for Josh Sweat when they signed him to a multi-year, multi-million-dollar contract in free agency. In a word: impressive. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss why Sweat is deserving of your vote for the 2026 Pro Bowl, his impact on the defense overall, and then look ahead to what he might become in Year 2 with the Cardinals; how does he elevate his game? Also, Craig and Dani give an injury update - who was and who wasn’t at practice on Wednesday - plus now that the playoffs are out of reach, what players might benefit the most with more playing time?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 953 - One-score games. It’s what the NFL is known for. It’s what the Arizona Cardinals are known for. But too many times this season the Cardinals have been on the wrong side of one-score games. Like Sunday. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi look back at the 20-17 loss at Tampa Bay. The Cardinals did a lot of good things. The team finished with more total yards, more passing yards, more first downs; the offense had one its better run game efforts of the season - yet still lost. Yes, Craig and Paul go over how the game finished. They also go over how the game started, with the Cardinals once again digging themselves a hole. And even in a loss, there is the Angry Bird Award, and this week it goes to Akeem Davis-Gaither.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 952 - After back-to-back home games, the Cardinals are on the road this week. They make the cross-country flight to Tampa Bay to play the Buccaneers, a team coached by Todd Bowles; and with any Bowles-coached team, this much is known: expect the blitz. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss what Jacoby Brissett is likely to face on Sunday. And to further break down the matchup here in Week 13, Craig and Zach are joined by T.J. Rives, Buccaneers radio sideline reporter (and noted boxing enthusiast.) Before that conversation, though, there are injures to update on both sides of the ball; no Trey Benson or Will Hernandez this week, but Marvin Harrison Jr. and Will Johnson are expected to play.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 951 - On this Thanksgiving Eve, it’s important to give thanks. And for the past two games, the Arizona Cardinals - and their fans - are thankful for Michael Wilson. His 25 receptions and 303 receiving yards lead the league since Week 11. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss what they’ve seen from the third-year wide receiver, why it isn’t a surprise to many of Wilson’s teammates and coaches, and how Wilson might be able to continue to be productive even with the likely return of Marvin Harrison Jr. this week. That’s right, No. 18 returned to practice on Wednesday. Craig and Dani go over the week’s first injury report plus Paris Johnson Jr. says the inability to run the football the past two games falls on the offensive line.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 950 - Considering how the previous two games went, the Cardinals played much better. They played much cleaner; no turnovers, fewer penalties. But, again, the end result was the same. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi look back at Sunday’s 27-24 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. And, yes, the end of regulation and how overtime finished are discussed. Craig and Paul also talk about the lack of complimentary football (the offense scored just one touchdown after three takeaways), the lack of a run game, which has been a season-long issue, and the struggles by special teams. The defense did its part, yet they needed to get off the field one more time and didn’t. Speaking of the defense, that’s where this week’s Angry Bird Award landed; congratulations Budda Baker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 949 - Postgame last week, after the loss to the 49ers, Jonathan Gannon told reporters what he had just told the team. “We’re on the mat,” he said, “but when the alarm goes off tomorrow, you better wake up, come to work and get off the mat.” So, do we see the Cardinals get off the mat on Sunday? Let’s all hope so. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman look ahead to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that is playing good football right now. Also, Craig and Zach head into enemy territory. Kai Stevens, Jaguars team reporter, joins the show. Plus, it wouldn’t be a Football Friday without an injury update; who’s in, who’s out and, of course, another name is added to the long list of players on injured reserve.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 948 - A familiar face returned to the practice field on Wednesday. Running back Trey Benson was designated to return from the injured reserve list. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss how Benson looked in his first on-field work since late September and what a Benson return may mean for the offense as well as the rest of the running back room. (BTW, Benson was not the only familiar face back: punter Matt Haack was signed to the active roster and Trent Sherfield was added to the practice squad.) Also, Craig and Dani ask what Michael Wilson does for an encore, explain how effective Walter Nolen III has been - in a short amount of time, and appreciate BJ Ojulari’s season debut.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 947 - On the 17th day of November, Paul Calvisi does a deep dive on the No. 17. That led to a discussion between him and Craig Grialou about Sunday’s 41-22 loss in which the Cardinals committed a franchise-record 17 penalties. Whether it was the penalties or the turnovers - there were three of them - the Cardinals did themselves no favors in losing to the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium. For the second straight week, the Cardinals fell behind early, and they did their best to play catch up the rest of the game. Jacoby Brissett, Michael Wilson, who earned Paul’s weekly Angry Bird Award, and Trey McBride each had great individual numbers, but the only numbers that mattered were on the scoreboard.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 946 - Twelve times they’ve played against each other. Sunday will be No. 13 between Budda Baker and George Kittle. It’s one of the many storylines here in Week 11, when the San Francisco 49ers visit State Farm Stadium. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman look ahead to the game, one the Cardinals would love to win for many reasons: help move past what happened in Seattle, split the season series with the 49ers, pick up their first division victory, and then - and maybe most importantly - teams always want to protect home field. The Cardinals have not played at home in almost a full calendar month. Plus, Craig and Zach talk with Matt Maiocco, who covers the 49ers for NBC Sports Bay Area. He joins the show to discuss a returning Brock Purdy among other Niners topics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 945 - First it was Zay Jones. Then Simi Fehoko. And now Marvin Harrison Jr. All three will miss this week’s game. (By the way, Jones will miss the rest of the season, while Fehoko is sidelined for at least four games.) So, it’s next man up in the wide receiver room. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck discuss who’s in line to start and who’s in line to see more playing time. Receiver, though, is not the only position room dealing with injuries. The Cardinals held a walk-through rather than practice on Wednesday because of how banged up the team is after the loss at Seattle. Injuries, though, present opportunity. Also, Craig and Dani talk about the play of Darius Robinson, Zaven Collins and what the defense can expect from a Kyle Shanahan-coached offense on Sunday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 944 - After the loss on Sunday, head coach Jonathan Gannon made it clear. “At the end of the day, nothing good from that game, and it falls on me,” he told reporters. Very little went right for the Cardinals. They fell behind early - 35-0 just six minutes into the second quarter - and just could not dig themselves out of the hole. Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi look back at the 44-22 loss, focusing a lot on the line of scrimmage; the offensive line struggled to protect Jacoby Brisssett and the defensive line found it difficult to slow down Sam Darnold and company. The guys do find a couple of positives: 1) the play of Trey McBride and 2) the bounce back of Emari Demercado, who earned this week’s Angry Bird Award.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.