Ep. 1051 - The run game opens up so much; it opens up the pass game, it opens up the red zone. Right now, though, the Cardinals haven’t had much of an efficient run game. Yes, they’ve had their moments but consistent play from the run game is what’s needed. Craig Grialou and J.P. Shadrick discuss where the Cardinals’ run game is at through six games. Plus, Craig and J.P. talk ball-control offense, the heavy use of ‘13’ personnel - by the way, it’s National Tight End Day on Sunday - Legends Weekend, the Vance Joseph-coached defense of the Broncos, and look at some of Bo Nix’s passing numbers (spoiler alert: they aren’t good.)

Cardinals Cover 2 - Running With The Football, Hanging Onto The Football, Tight Ends Are Getting The Football

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Ep. 1050 - By himself Chad Ryland outscored the Los Angeles Rams, which was stifled by a Nick Rallis-led defense for nearly four quarters on Sunday. The result: a Cardinals win, 18-16, the team’s first since Week 1 and the first against an NFC West opponent since 2024. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck look back at the victory, beginning with Ryland’s heroics before turning their attention to Rallis’ gameplan, focusing on the play of Mack Wilson, Budda Baker, and Josh Sweat among others; plus, Craig and Dani discuss how well the offense performed between the 20s - Jacoby Brissett, Jalen Brooks, and Bam Knight each stood out - while acknowledging the red zone-execution needs to be better.

Cardinals Cover 2 - Chad Ryland, Defense Star In Made For Hollywood-Victory In L.A.

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Ep. 1049 - For the second time in six weeks, the Arizona Cardinals play a game at SoFi Stadium. Though this time it’s against the Los Angeles Rams, and they will not have rookie running back Jeremiyah Love on the field. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman react to the latest news on Love before they speak with Rams radio color analyst Maurice Jones-Drew about the Cardinals’ running backs, Mike LaFleur facing Sean McVay - also part of Zach’s 3x3 - and the Rams’ surprising 2-3 start. Also, FOX Sports play-by-play voice Kenny Albert joins the show to give a national perspective on Trey McBride, Michael Wilson, and Aaron Donald.

Cardinals Cover 2 - Jeremiyah Love Won’t Play Sunday When Arizona Cardinals Return To L.A.

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Ep. 1048 - Don’t discount being back home. Don’t discount new Dad strength. OK, maybe not the main reasons but they are certainly some reasons when explaining the play of Roy Lopez so far this season. Quietly, Lopez is having a very good season, trending towards a career year. Craig Grialou and Jesus Quinonez discuss what they’ve seen from the Tempe, AZ native. (And hear Jesus’ call of Lopez’s first-quarter sack of Jared Goff from the Arizona Cardinals Spanish-language broadcast.) Craig and Jesus also go over the news of the day: updates on Jeremiyah Love, Carson Beck, the return of Kitan Crawford and why it’s on the wide receivers to win their 1-on-1 matchups.

Cardinals Cover 2 - Roy Lopez Is Winning In The Trenches Plus Jeremiyah Love, Carson Beck Updates

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Ep. 1047 - Things happen fast in the National Football League. Case in point: this past weekend. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck dive into the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade, from their surprise to the bizarre way in which it was reported to ultimately the compensation received. Then, Craig and Dani break down what happened Sunday, a 45-21 home loss to the Detroit Lions. Once again, the Cardinals started fast on both sides of the ball; the first quarter saw the defense play nearly flawless football. But as was the case the week prior in New York, the offense struggled to sustain drives and score points, while the defense struggled to keep Jared Goff and company out of the end zone. In other words, not good.

Cardinals Cover 2 - Marvin Harrison Jr. Traded Then ‘Déjà Vu All Over Again’

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Ep. 1046 - For three seasons Nick Rallis and Drew Petzing worked together as the coordinators for then-head coach Jonathan Gannon. The two were also on the same staff in Minnesota a few years back. In other words, they are very familiar with one another. Whether or not that gives one an advantage over the other this week when the Cardinals host the Detroit Lions won’t be known until late Sunday afternoon. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman discuss what Rallis’ defense will face in the Petzing-coached, Jared Goff-, Jahmyr Gibbs-, Amon-Ra St. Brown-led Lions offense. Plus, they are joined by Matt Dery from the Locked On Lions Podcast to further break down the Week 5 matchup.

Cardinals Cover 2 - Former Colleagues Nick Rallis, Drew Petzing On Opposite Sides Sunday

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Ep. 1045 - Run first. Multiple tight ends. Connect on explosive plays. That is what the Arizona Cardinals would like to be as an offense. Are they there yet? Of course not. The season is only four games old. Craig Grialou and J.P. Shadrick - before he calls his first girls high school flag football game - evaluate where the offense is after a quarter of the season. On the topic of the offense, Craig and J.P. discuss the injury to Paris Johnson Jr., the addition of Jedrick Wills Jr., Isaiah Adams ruled out for this week, what to expect from Jeremiyah Love moving forward, and why Trey McBride is likely to have a big game against the Detroit Lions.

Cardinals Cover 2 - Offense Has ‘Started To Build Our Identity’ Four Games Into Season

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Ep. 1044 - One drive or one play doesn’t define a game, but that’s certainly what it felt like happened at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Craig Grialou and Dani Sureck - after throwing colleague Zach Gershman under the bus for his pregame attempt at forecasting the weather - discuss the Cardinals’ inability to convert on first-and-goal that ultimately was the deciding factor in a 36-24 defeat to the New York Giants. Craig and Dani also get into how the game started, how Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier were used, the injury to Paris Johnson Jr., Josh Sweat’s impact, Dewey Wingard’s absence, the penalty on Dante Stills, and Trey McBride’s interaction with an official in which Dani had a front-row seat.

Cardinals Cover 2 - Loss At New York Giants ‘Is Going To Sting’

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Ep. 1043 - For the second straight week, and third time to begin the season, the Cardinals hit the road. They play at the New York Giants on Sunday. Craig Grialou and Zach Gershman preview the Week 4 matchup, focusing on the run game, especially if the weather is bad. (FYI, rain is forecasted but not until later in the afternoon/early evening.) Craig and Zach also discuss the need for explosive plays - part of Zach’s 3x3 - but no need for pre-snap penalties. Plus, John Schmeelk, Giants pre- and postgame radio host, joins the show to talk about the Jameis Winston experience, the difficulty tackling Cam Skattebo and what the loss of Brian Burns means for their defense.

Cardinals Cover 2 - Arizona Cardinals Aim To Be In A New York State Of Mind Sunday

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Ep. 1042 - After a brief discussion about the start of the baseball playoffs, Craig Grialou and Jesus Quinonez dive into the news of the day. And it’s not so much news as it is appreciation. Appreciation for Trey McBride and the tight end position. Through three games, it’s clear how important McBride and the tight ends are to what Mike LaFleur wants to do offensively. And the tight ends might be the key to helping unlock the lack of explosive plays in the passing game. Also, Craig and Jesus talk Josh Sweat, the dilemma facing the defense when it comes to pressuring opposing quarterbacks and begin to preview Sunday’s matchup against Jameis Winston, Cam Skattebo and the Giants front seven.

Cardinals Cover 2 - Trey McBride, Tight Ends Making An Impact Offensively

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A combination of news, analysis, storytelling and entertainment, Cardinals Cover 2 reaches from sideline to sideline and delivers Cardinals content to the avid fan year round. Our insiders break down the team’s performance, spotlighting its personalities and looking forward to the next matchup.

Cardinals Cover 2

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