Cardinals Cover 2

Ep. 1007 - It was just the start, but no less important. For the first time since the draft, the rookie class, including first-round pick Jeremiyah Love, was on the field, wearing Cardinals gear and doing football-related activities. It wasn’t a full-blown practice, but it did represent the first time this group of players experienced life in the NFL. Their college days are no more. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss what they saw and, more importantly, what they heard both on and off the field during rookie minicamp; from Love describing how he plans to handle his life-changing money to Carson Beck and head coach Mike LaFleur talking about the importance of a quarterback’s cadence. Plus, we now know when the 2026 schedule will be released.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 1006 - Best player in the draft. Path to be a starter. Day 1 starter at right guard. That’s how ESPN Draft Analyst Matt Miller described Jeremiyah Love, Carson Beck and Chase Bisontis, respectively. Miller rejoined Craig Grialou - the two first spoke back at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis - to discuss why he believes Love’s talent should be considered on the same level as fellow running backs Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson, how a quarterback like Beck fits what Mike LaFleur wants to do offensively, and then there’s Bisontis, who Miller thinks could’ve heard his name called on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Plus, Miller singles out defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor as one to watch among the Cardinals’ four picks on the final day of the draft. Enjoy the conversation, Bird Gang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 1005 - If there’s one thing A.Q. Shipley knows, it’s football. A former player turned analyst, he joined Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck on Monday to discuss the 2026 NFL Draft. Shipley shared insights from covering the draft in Pittsburgh for The Pat McAfee Show and broke down the Cardinals’ seven selections over three days. Entering his second season as the team’s color analyst, Shipley is high on running back Jeremiyah Love and offensive lineman Chase Bisontis. He also expressed excitement about quarterback Carson Beck’s pro potential after witnessing his Offensive MVP performance in the Fiesta Bowl. Shipley wrapped up by offering advice to the rookie class as they prepare for minicamp later this week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 1004 - If there’s one person - outside of his family, of course - who knows Jeremiyah Love more than most, then it’s got to be the person who recruited him and coached him for three years in college. That’s right, we’re talking about Marcus Freeman. The Notre Dame head coach joined Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman on Wednesday to talk about Love, first as a person then as a player; and listening to Coach Freeman, there isn’t anything Love can’t do on the football field. Plus, Craig and Zach go over the seven undrafted rookies signed; the list includes an offensive lineman from the University of Arizona, an edge rusher who set a career-high in sacks last season, and a pair of Ole Miss teammates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 1003 - It’s an annual exercise on the Monday following the draft: the draft evaluation. What are people saying? What are people writing? Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman go over a lot of what’s been talked and written about by the many draft experts. Yes, there are grades given, but it’s more the analysis that Craig and Zach focus on, specifically about each of the first three picks made by GM Monti Ossenfort. In total, Ossenfort made seven selections over the three days of the 2026 NFL Draft; five offensive and two defensive players. Jeremiyah Love is the headliner, while Carson Beck may be the sub-headline; they are certainly the most discussed players coming out of the weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 1002 - Stick-and-pick. That’s how the Arizona Cardinals handled Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. So, for the first time as general manager, Monti Ossenfort did not play let’s make a deal. Rather, he made four selections: Southeastern Louisiana defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor (4th round), Texas Tech wide receiver Reggie Virgil (5th round), Iowa linebacker Karson Sharar (6th round), and Ole Miss offensive lineman Jayden Williams (7th round). Craig Grialou, Dani Sureck and Zach Gershman - once again the show goes Cover 3 - discuss each of the four players individually before turning their attention to the entire seven-player draft class; five offensive players and two defensive players, quite the switch from a year ago.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 1001 - An early theme is developing through the first two days of the 2026 NFL Draft: the Arizona Cardinals like offense. After selecting running back Jeremiyah Love in the first round, the Cardinals drafted offensive lineman Chase Bisontis in the second round and quarterback Carson Beck in the third round. The Beck addition is where the discussion begins between Craig Grialou, Dani Sureck and Zach Gershman - that’s right, the show goes Cover 3 to close out Day 2. Craig, Dani and Zach talk about the player first and then the fit within the quarterback room before addressing Bisontis and what his addition means for the offensive line as well as the offense overall. And at the end of the show, cake is served! (Thanks, Dani!)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 1000 - It’s a milestone episode, so we got to go big, right Bird Gang?! Big as in No. 3 overall pick big. Running back Jeremiyah Love joins the show. He speaks with Craig Grialou and Darren Urban not even 24 hours after being selected by the Arizona Cardinals. Craig and Darren get Love’s thoughts on draft night, the “new standard” he wants to set at his position, the expectations that come with being a top-3 pick, and what he hopes to accomplish wearing a Cardinals uniform. Then Dave Pasch, play-by-play voice of the Cardinals, stops by to talk with the guys. He called two of Love’s games at Notre Dame, and he sees no reason why Love can’t have the same success with the Cardinals as he did in college.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 999 - A shock to some, a surprise to many. The Arizona Cardinals made Jeremiyah Love, the running back out of Notre Dame, the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. His talent is undeniable, and in the end, it was that talent - as well as who he is as a person - that made the selection a no-brainer. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck react to the pick, and then discuss what they heard from Love, GM Monti Ossenfort and head coach Mike LaFleur. Plus, Zach Gershman joins the show from Pittsburgh; he was boots on the ground. Craig and Dani get Zach’s thoughts, and more importantly, his perspective on what he saw and what he heard from Love and the Bird Gang in attendance at the draft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 998 - With the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select Jeremiyah Love, the running back out of Notre Dame. He becomes the first at his position to be selected in the top-3 since 2018. So, what do we think Bird Gang? We get some immediate reaction as former Cardinals linebacker and current radio analyst Rob Fredrickson joins Craig Grialou at the top of the show. Then, following Love’s conference call with local reporters, Darren Urban joins Craig. What did Love have to say about joining the Cardinals? The expectations he has for himself? For the team? Plus, how does Love fit within the Mike LaFleur-offense? Within the running back room? It’s a ‘Love Story.’ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 997 - It’s story time with Darren. After spending part of the weekend at the Pro Football Hall of Fame - with the Hall’s newest inductee Larry Fitzgerald - Darren Urban joins Craig Grialou to discuss the trip; why he, Fitz, and the rest of the 2026 Hall of Fame Class were in attendance. Then Craig and Darren dive into the draft, which is now just three days away. What do the Cardinals do at pick 3? Do they stick and pick? And if so, what is the likelihood the selection is Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love? Or might the Cardinals trade down? And is the Ty Simpson-talk simply a smokescreen? Also, Craig and Darren discuss the report Jacoby Brissett is not attending Phase 1 of the voluntary offseason program.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 996 - A week out and the uncertainty remains. The Cardinals could go in a number of different directions with the third overall pick. And which ever direction they choose, they have to get it right. Though it happens, teams selecting that high in the draft “can’t miss” on a prospect, according to Paige Dimakos, the president and CEO of The Draft Network. On Wednesday, she joined Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman to give her thoughts on the 2026 draft class overall, who she likes for the Cardinals at 3, weighs in on the debate between premium and non-premium positions, plus talks Ty Simpson. Yes, the Alabama quarterback was a topic on the day he was reportedly in town on a Top-30 visit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 995 - Currently, the Arizona Cardinals are scheduled to make the third overall selection in next week’s draft. Do they stick and pick? And if so, then who are the most likely targeted prospects? Do they trade down? And if so, then how far down might be too far? All great questions. And all questions Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck attempted to answer with the help of Trevor Sikkema, co-host of the NFL Stock Exchange. Sikkema rejoins the show, adding his thoughts on whether an offensive lineman or edge rusher should be the choice of GM Monti Ossenfort; what offers a higher return on investment, is there a pass-rusher who stands out among the others, and how might the non-premium position players affect the top of the draft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 994 - Day 1 is important. Day 1 is a reset. And for the Arizona Cardinals Day 1 also represented a new beginning. The Mike LaFleur era is officially underway. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss the start of the offseason strength and conditioning program; what were their takeaways listening to Hjalte Froholdt and Zaven Collins speak with reporters. Plus, Craig and Zach explain the reason LaFleur is so focused on the mechanics of the huddle, the chip that likely rests on Nick Rallis’ shoulder, the idea behind better communication improving the overall defense, and with two weeks to go before the draft, is offensive line becoming less of an option at pick 3? Zach updates the Cardinals Mock Draft Tracker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 993 - In a little over two weeks - two weeks from Thursday to be specific - the Arizona Cardinals will be on the clock. So, at pick No. 3, what position should GM Monti Ossenfort target? Does he go offensive line? Is an edge rusher the selection? Or might there be a wildcard? Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi discuss the options Ossenfort may have with that first-round pick, including trading down which he did in his first draft back in 2023. Before that conversation though, Craig and Paul look ahead to the start of the offseason program. Day 1 for the Cardinals is Tuesday. It’s the first chance new head coach Mike LaFleur and his staff will be around the players in a more formal, official capacity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 992 - Happy April Fool’s Day, Bird Gang. That said, neither Craig Grialou nor Dani Sureck are playing the fool on Wednesday’s show. Instead, Craig and Dani continue to react to what Mike LaFleur had to say during his Q&A with reporters at the Annual League Meeting this week; LaFleur likes the experience both Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew bring to the quarterback room, believes Teryl Austin will be “a great asset” for him, Nick Rallis, and the defense overall plus LaFleur is looking forward to having players back in the building next week. Also, Craig and Dani update Paris Johnson Jr.’s rehab, another round of uniform number changes, and because it is April 1st, begin to promote the 2026 Draft Party at State Farm Stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 991 - It’s the one topic that’s dominated much of the offseason. Quarterback. Who’s in the room? Who might be in the room? And, yes, who no longer is in the room? Those questions were asked. Those questions were answered by head coach Mike LaFleur over a 30-minute period on Monday morning at the Arizona Biltmore, the site of this year’s Annual League Meeting. Both Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman listened in to what LaFleur had to say about Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew as well as Kyler Murray. Plus, the guys react to what LaFleur had to say about the offense, the offensive line, his coaching staff, Kendrick Bourne, Walter Nolen’s recovery, and the likelihood of joint practices with the Green Bay Packers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 990 – At first glance, he reminds you of Dennis Gardeck, maybe even Pat Tillman (or Kurt Cobain, according to Paul Calvisi.) Watch him play, and yeah, the Gardeck similarities continue. Hear him speak, and you feel like you’re talking to Budda Baker in terms of how he describes his style of play. In other words, new safety Andrew Wingard, before even playing a down of football in a Cardinals uniform, is trending towards being a fan favorite. Recently, Wingard sat down with Calvisi and Craig Grialou to discuss why he chose Arizona after seven seasons in Jacksonville, why going undrafted might’ve been the best thing to happen to him, and why he plays like he plays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 989 - Whether on the field or off the field, and especially off the field, Kendrick Bourne can be counted on to bring one thing: He will bring the energy. Tenfold. “I was born this way” - no pun intended - he recently told Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi. Bourne is among the new additions to the wide receiver room. He speaks with Craig and Paul about the energy he exudes, why relationships are important, his plan to be a mentor to the likes of Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr., the special connection he has with head coach Mike LaFleur, and how being an undrafted free agent helped shape him into the player who is going into his 10th season in the league.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep. 988 - Among the many moves made during free agency almost half of the additions have come along the line of scrimmage, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone based on last season’s results. The two marquee names signed were Isaac Seumalo and Roy Lopez. Both recently sat down with Craig Grialou and Paul Calvisi. For Seumalo, it was a chance to get back on the west coast, fill a need at left guard, team with Paris Johnson Jr., and help build a winner in Arizona. Meanwhile, for Lopez, who is about to become a first-time father, it was a chance to return home, fill a much-needed role inside, and reunite with several teammates as well as defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. Enjoy the conversations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.