June 4, 2025 • 34 mins
Ep. 890 - His individual numbers may not jump off the stat page, but Zaven Collins brings more than just numbers to the defense. He brings versatility. More importantly, he’s earned the trust of both head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. They see value in Collins more so than perhaps fans and many in the media. Craig Grialou, back from vacation, and Darren Urban discuss Collins’ importance to the team. Also, how often do Craig and Darren expect to see Josh Sweat on the field this season, especially given recent comments by Rallis? Finally, the guys shout-out Dennis Gardeck, who after seven seasons in Arizona is reportedly joining the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Yes, who's Blackburn Gang? And not a moment too soon? God,
Darren Urban joining me for talk about Zavon Collins? Is
there a more underappreciated player on the team? Also, Josh,
what how often do we expect to see number ten
on the field? It's Cardinals Cover two, episode eight ninety
and it starts now. Welcome to Cardinals Cover two. Wood
(00:29):
to Baker, what heart? What rent? This guy's unbelievable?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Cardinals Cover two is presented by Hyundai, proud partner of
the Arizona Cardinals and by Arizona Cardinals Podcast. Visit Azycardinals
dot com slash podcast.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
He's at the ten half of five. He's it again,
so more hurry magic.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Whow here's Craig Grioler.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
So let me just say this, and with my boss
sitting directly across from me, if we're mistaken, Wow, right
off the top? Am I wrong? OTAs are voluntary? Correct, Darren?
Speaker 3 (01:12):
They are voluntary for players?
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Oh wow? Since one was for players? Added to this
because look, you're gone for a week and a half.
And whether it's the Red Sea Report, Cardinals Underground, or
this very show Cardinals Cover two. The number of shots
that I received basically was just one individual, Paul Calvic,
I show up what I need to show up. Mandatory
(01:36):
mini camp is not until next week. So the fact
that I missed what two open OTAs of the six
that were scheduled. Let me let's be fair.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
You did ask and we're granted permission to do whatever
the heck you were doing. But traveling the world, Yes,
the the voluntary part absolutely comes from uh, the NFLPA CDA,
and I don't. I don't think you're part of that.
And last time I checked you, along with everybody else
(02:10):
duties as a sign buddy.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Who's to say that I potentially was not scouting on
my I.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Will say travels for somebody on vacation, you are way
too connected. We're getting texts, you're you're making comments and
both personal and professional areas that like, dude, just just
be with your family. Pot Kittle Black, I'm different.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
I did not bring my computer.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
There's a reason I've risen to the level that I have, Craig.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Greelu, I'll say this though, I was overseas and the
best way to disconnect is to not have access. Yes, Well,
and the fact that I lost access to email when
I traveled overseas, which I was not expecting was a positive.
What it was a nice bonus, Like, Okay, I still
have social media as to figure out what's going on,
and yes I did keep track of who was and
(03:01):
who wasn't here.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
I'm gonna get out ahead of it. I am going
to assume be going on a vacation where I will
be without internet for most of the week or so
that I'm gone, So without internet.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Yeah, it's gonna never without internet. But okay, are you
gonna be?
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Are you gonna be? Okay? No, Okay, don't mess it up, Craig,
all right, yes, Cody, make sure you turn off the TVs.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
All right. So again, there were six OTA's. Actually there've
only been four. There's actually five because as we speak
here on Wednesday there was an OTA practice not open,
and then there is one schedule for a Thursday, but
two that were open to the media. So, Darren, what
I miss because I know, because I know you are
such a big fan of what happens in late May
(03:45):
and early.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
You just said that on Cardinals Underground, which was you know, look,
I get it, I get the people that care about attendance,
I get it. You know, it's funny I saw there
the ESPN radio station affiliate in Cleveland is act actually
doing a for every open ota. They're actually charting the
(04:06):
passes of the four quarterbacks. Now, come on, like, we
discussed this on Underground, and I know, just reiterate it
because i know the audiences for these two podcasts, I'm
sure are very different. You know, the rules are such
we're talking about the NFLPA. The rules are such with
you know what defenses can do. It's it's offense versus defense.
(04:28):
But essentially, you can't challenge the receiver in the air
once you're not supposed to. So once that ball is
in the air, once, once that passes about halfway to
where it's supposed to be going, the defensive back has
to dial it back down anyway, So there's I don't
know what you're measuring. Really, Look, I think they've got
pretty good attendants. It is voluntary, so not everybody's gonna
(04:51):
be there. You got guys that are rehabbing. I thought
Jonathan Gannon did a fantastic job the other day explaining
why he doesn't love talking about injuries. Doesn't mean I
don't wish he would talk about them more often, But
after he explained it. It's a very rational reason why
he doesn't like it very much. I think you've got
(05:12):
buy into the most important players. Kyler's out there every day,
he's working with guys. We're not going to really know
what's going to happen with this defense until you actually
start hitting in training camp. But you're relatively healthy and
that shouldn't be an issue going into camp. And I
don't know what else you're gonna get out of this.
I don't know if there is anything we've seen some
(05:33):
we've talked about this before. Bolt up, guys, but like again,
let's see what it means on the field.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
And that's kind of where I am. I know the
attention of Marvin Harrison Junior and Darius Robinson, how they look,
and I kind of fall in the category. Yeah, that's
great because it shows that they're working and they're trying
to get better at their craft. But it doesn't matter
what you look like. How productive are you on the
football field, And that's we won't know that until the
(05:59):
season began, but you do have to put it in
the work here. As far as attendance, I do think
it's important that you hear Kyler Murray being here I
think is huge. Once upon a time that was not
the case. I do think it stems from having your
franchise quarterback be here. I think it sends a good
message to trickle down. I also understand why there are
certain players who aren't here. When you reach the status
(06:19):
of a Kaleis Campbell or a Kelvin Beachum, you've been there,
done that this period of time.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Beach was here the other day, he was here. He
was here.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Okay. Now, typically he has chosen not to be here
until a mandatory mini camp, but he has earned it.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
He was here this week. One of the things that
struck me about Beach and I don't think this is
anything against Beach, because Beach is a large human being
and you saw him out with all the rest of
the offensive lineman and I'm like, holy cow, we have
some big offensive lineman. Because Beach actually looked a little
small wow, which, yeah, that tells you something because Beach
is not small. But anyways, so I didn't mean to
(06:54):
derail you that.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
I appreciate it. That was one of the things when
I was following from overseas, did not see Kelvin Beacham's
name on that list oh he's back. But again, you're here.
And at the end of the day, once we get
to November December, and the record is what the record is,
you're not talking about. Oh, let's go back to late May,
early June, and that's where it all began. I now
(07:20):
where I do think it is important for these OTAs
is for those rookies and young players, because once you
get to training camp and the veterans are here, you
lose those reps and you might not get those reps back.
So if you are a rookie or a second or
third year player on the bubble, you better be here
because you might get five or six rips here in
(07:42):
the offseason, but in training camp you might be getting
one or two.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Yeah, and that's all fair, and it does change. I
mean there's nuance here. You know. If such and such
isn't here, you're right, they've they've earned the right or
I don't know how much they're really gonna But if
you're younger, yeah, you should be here. And that makes
a lot of sense. And look, if I was playing,
(08:07):
probably I say that I don't know this. If I
was playing, I'd be here all the time. That's just
that's kind of who I am, but I understand again
why it wouldn't necessarily be that way for everybody. And
you know, if you're a Klais Campbell and you just
got through having a press conference with us when you signed,
and one of the things you noted was that you
(08:29):
think you can be still dominant for thirty or thirty
five snaps, But you start going over that and you're
gonna have a problem because of your age and the
and there aware on the tires. Then it makes some
sense to me that you're not out here when it's
one hundred degrees getting all these extra snaps, when the
(08:50):
juice isn't worth the squeeze with some of it, and
I'd rather have him save up whatever he's got left
on his body.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
And it's easier to be here if you live here.
If you don't live here and you've got family somewhere else,
then okay, Now it becomes how do you divide your time?
But listening to Marvin talk about, yeah, he is living here,
he's working out here, Savin Collins earlier this week saying
this is what he does, and his recommendation to players
is you don't need to pay someone to train you
(09:19):
just come to the facility, and that's always the thing.
What you get taught away from here, and then you
come back and you have to get retaught on what
this coaching staff, what this training staff wants you to do.
So there's always that give and take as far as
all right, is it really beneficial to go somewhere else
when you have the opportunity to just do it right
in your own backyard?
Speaker 3 (09:40):
And JG was talking about that, like this is like
basically the first and second part, and the third and
fourth parts. The more nuanced and leveled up ways to
go through installation come later in camp, and so this
is the early stuff. I will say, I'm glad you
listened to Zaven Collins interview. I'm disappointed that you listen
(10:00):
to it and we still don't have the breakdown. I
will say, dear listeners, that one of the things you
miss when Craig Reelou is not there, and it is
so important for so many of us in this in
this department. Uh, he basically goes through and marks down
the time of all the press conferences and what's being
said on each thing. And I can't even begin to
(10:21):
tell you how helpful that is when you're writing stories
or cutting sound or doing videos, and we've missed that
for a week and a half and it's just been devastating.
He deserves a promotion just on that. I can say
that because I have absolutely no control whatsoever on promotion,
so you know it doesn't really matter.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
But yeah, I'm looking over to my right over here.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Gets I expect you to catch up. Catch up those.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Head coach twice both coordinators in hell case? Is that yeah,
I do have some.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
I mean, will you do it? I don't know.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Oh no, I no, I think you know me long enough.
I will get it. I just again, it's when when
do you need it by I guess that's the question,
because you can't get it. You can't get those times back.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
I could use them with bride stuff today. Okay, it
is what it is.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Maybe by tomorrow. Speaking of Zaven, yes, and just as
many new pieces on this defense and the fresh faces,
whether they're young or they're older. Xavion Collins to me
is someone that I'm very interested in seeing, not only
(11:29):
where he plays, how much he plays. Because if you
listen to JG, you listen to Nick Rollis there is
a distinction and a separation between how they viewed Xavin
versus how many of the fans use Aven and maybe
even some media local and anational. To me, there is
a huge amount of appreciation for Zavon Collins within this building.
(11:53):
Outside the building, it's well, he only had five and
a half sacks last season as an outside linebacker. He's
not rushing the quarterback, he's not provided an pressure. But
then you hear the coaches say, well, it's not just that.
Within this defense, you want your outside linebacker to rush
the quarterback, set the edge, and drop into coverage. And
then there's additional responsibilities on Zavon that he's talked about
(12:16):
that we don't even notice. And then all right, how
do you determine he had a successful game a successful
season because he's being asked to do something that typically
in most defenses and outside linebackers just go get the
ball carrier on the backfield, whether that's the quarterback or
the running back. That's not the case here in Arizona.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
When zave and Collins contract was coming up last year
and they ended up re signing him, I think that
says a ton. I mean, here's a guy who was
drafted by the previous regime, as you said, hasn't exactly
put up stellar statistics. They moved him from the position
that he was playing. I mean a lot of those
things point to like, Okay, we're gonna use him until
(12:58):
his contract runs out and they're going to bring in somebody.
Makes more sense. The fact they brought him back, I
think says we might have underplayed how important that was
in terms of what it says about what they think
about him. I think they love what Zavion Collins does
for them. I think Nick Rolis loves the versatility that
he gives them. And no he's not a pro bowler,
(13:20):
but not everybody's going to be a pro bowler on
your team, and he gives them the option to do
so many different things, and they trust him to do
all those things. And I one hundred percent agree with you,
Like I think the dichotomy between what they think of
him in the building and how he's thought of outside
(13:43):
the building is kind of incredible.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
In a lot of ways, we hear about the person,
the player, and then the role, and I think Xavion
Collins checks all of those boxes, and maybe no one
more than the role. Because you look went back next
gen stats on places players as far as where they
line up on the football field, and they had Zavon
(14:06):
lined it last year at five different positions edge, defensive tackle, linebacker, slot,
and cornerback. Now, if he talked to Zavian as you
guys did earlier this week, it seems like it's maybe
half a dozen or maybe more depending on how you
figure out. All right, are you above the center, are
you over the guard outside of the tackle spot? Are
(14:27):
you dropping playing inside? What they do with Zavian is
almost to a lesser extent and maybe less effective as
far as numbers are concerned, to what they showed what
they did with Buddha last year. As far as the movie,
he's not just a safety. He's not just the last
line of defense. He's close to the line of scrimmage.
He's at all three levels of the defense. And that
(14:48):
whether it shows up on a piece of paper, that's
what coaches look at versus what end of the game
you're looking like, Oh, well he had you know, six
tackles and a tackle for loss. But his name to
get called on TV or radio. But you look at
the film and Zavion makes a play here, or makes
(15:09):
a block, gets off a block to allow someone else
to make the play or tackle for loss. So again,
to me, he's very underappreciated, and I think it's something
that he's not going anywhere, and you have to have
those guys. To your point, Darren, that everyone has a
defined role, and Zavon's role is not to be the
(15:30):
Pro bowler, the Hall of Famer. His role is to
be a solid player who could be in this league,
within this defense, maybe even on this team for several years.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
The other thing, too, is he's earned a You bring
in a new coach and you build a culture and
you want a certain locker room. Again, it is not
easy for a player from a previous regime, and we're
talking and when I say regime, it's not only the
coach but the GM two to be able to have
(16:00):
staying power with those people because for whatever reason, and
for him to earn another contract, they just they've got
to be impressed with him on every level, and he's
one of those guys in the locker room that they
like having in the locker room besides what he can
do on the field. So yeah, I mean, you gotta
have those guys that kind of build the roster, and
(16:23):
he's not to fill out the roster and to the
roster guy. He may not be on the very top.
He's not gonna get the Josh Sweat kind of money,
but for what he does crucial.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
And within this defensive scheme. Now maybe it doesn't fit
some other defense. Maybe that's why when that contract was
offered in training camp, it was okay, let me sign
it now versus waiting, Because sometimes your best opportunity is
the opportunity you have. The grass isn't always screeners.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
There's always guys who are gonna be more valuable where
they are than where how somebody else might see him.
Matt Wilson is another one of those guys. I think
for what they use him for here and how they
want to deploy him, Mac Wilson's probably more valuable with
Arizona Cardinals than he would be with most teams I
would think, as.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Far as one of those two guys, whether it's Avon
or Mac. And the big question now within that defense
is all right, who's calling the defense? And your question
to Nick Rowlis this week about all right, Kaizer White's
no longer there, you don't have him, what do you do?
Because typically whoever wears that green dot is on the
(17:35):
field the majority of the time eighty five ninety percent
of the time as Kaizer was his two seasons here.
But if you don't have a mac Wilson senior playing
that much or Zavin, can it really be Buddha or
JT in the secondary or is it a rotation? But
(17:56):
then with a rotation, it's a different voice in your
helmet and a different case, and that can cause confusion.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
I think it's a fantastic question, and it might. It's
something that's we can watch. I mean, I think Buddha
could do it. I think JT could do it again.
If you're Jalen Thompson and you're playing a lot of
snaps far away from the ball, that makes it harder
literally to make the calls if something is happening after
the huddle breaks. So I'm not sure what they're going
(18:29):
to do there. I mean, I have no doubt that
they have good plans in place, and some of it's
going to depend on who ends up winning that job.
I mean, if Cody Simon wins that vacant job, I
think he's a guy who's called defenses. I think you
can trust me. Seems super smart. I know he's a rookie,
but still, and I think you almost have to go
(18:50):
from there. In my opinion, you almost have to figure
out who you're going to have out there on the
field first and how much, and then and then try
and determine it rather than hey, these guys do the
green dot one of them hopefully is going to be on.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
The field could have changed weekly.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
I think that could get dangerous.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
I do too, But I keep hearing even Nick Raalis
brought it up like, and we hear it a lot
from JG. Well, we're adaptable. We really don't play a
certain style or a certain scheme. I'm still in the
opinion you're going to see a lot more four man
fronts with four defensive linemen than you've ever had in
two seasons with JG as the head coach and Nick
(19:33):
Raalis as a defensive quarter, just based off of personnel,
personnel and the number of bodies on that in that
D line room.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
I don't I don't necessarily disagree with you, and I
could totally see that happening. But again, we're we're so
far like as both Rales and Gan and we're talking
about this week, it's like this is a time of year,
is about competing to show you're better than the next guy,
and then we'll worry about like how that all fits
on the roster and on the field and all that stuff.
(20:02):
So we're a while away from really moving towards that.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
But that's what we talk about here in May, June,
and July is we're trying.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
To when you're around, When you're around, that's what I
thought we were.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
I thought we were done and had moved past that.
I mean, I am back here. I mean I was
here first thing in the morning. I didn't see you
at a thirty am?
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Why no, Why you know where I was? Civics matters.
You know what's important around here. Civic matters, Craig, Why
didn't you? And let me tell you something. There is
nobody who will beat a dead horse more than I will.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Darren Urban this morning at seven thirty am, was a
sky Harbor Airport, Yes, sending off a bunch of students,
including I wasn't but they were there participating, sending off
a bunch of students including can we call him a student,
Zach Kershman, I mean technically he is your pupil, right,
I mean he's learning to see what you did. He
is learning under the Darren Urban Tree.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
He's on the he's on the trip, but again a
civics matter. It's a very important uh uh thing that
this organization does with Desert Financial and close up in Washington,
d C. And sends two hundred and seventy five kids,
students who wrote essays. He sends him on the Cardinal
Team plane to go to DC and meet with senators
and congress people and visit people and places that are
(21:19):
important to the government, kind of learn how we govern
and hopefully create more informed electorate, which is important these days.
So no, I think it's a great thing that we
did it again this morning. But that's why I wasn't
in the office, Craig.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
Okay, Darren go to Azycardinals dot com for the article
that Darren wrotes. There you go, and then for all
the content that our colleagues ACT will be providing as well,
hopefully will be provided otherwise, it's basically a free trip
for him to DC.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
I like the things he's talked about making, so we'll
see what.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
All right, that's good tease. One other notes on the defense,
because that's what basically a lot of people are talking about.
Defensively just because the offense, the personnel is they're running
it back at least what it looks like. Yes, Now,
something else that I heard. Again, I've not gone through
the press conference log just yet. I will. One thing
(22:13):
I did hear though from Nick Ralis that struck me
was him talking about Josh What because we had not
heard Nick his reaction to the sweat addition, someone that
he is familiar with when they were in Philadelphia together.
But when asked about Josh we the first thing that
he mentioned was his run defense. Yes, not how he
(22:35):
can get after opposing quarterbacks, getting the quarterback down, getting
those sacks, but how how good he is at setting
the edge. And my ears perked up because I know
you spent a lot of money on him. He views
himself as a three down linebacker. But it doesn't matter
what the player of views, it's what the coaching staff views.
(22:55):
So you spent a lot of money, So you would
expect to see Josh Witt on the field a lot,
not only on just obvious passing situations, but if he
is that good against the run, now all of a sudden,
he's not coming off the field unless you just you
need a I mean, there's not. Maybe there's not as
much of a rotation at outside linebacker as we have
seen in years past.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
It should be noted that since Nick Rolis took over
his defensive coordinator, the Cardinals have not had an outside
linebacker that I think is over sixty percent of the
defensive snaps.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
Xavin last year was fifty five percent, the highest among
outside linebackers.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
So does Josh Weat jump that because of who he
is and what he can do? Or will it continue
to be a rotation to keep everybody fresh? I mean,
one of the reasons you want to have build up
your death is so you can keep moving in. I mean,
you still have Zavon who's gonna play Baron Browning who
they have they like and they think you can take
(23:50):
another step up, and you want to see what you
get from bjo JL. So does Sweat need to play
that much? You know? I am truly fascinated with not
only what this defense looks like in terms of how
they deploy players schematically, but also how they deploy playing time,
(24:11):
because that's going to be unbelievable to see, like that
defensive line, what's that going to look like? But we're
not going to know until it looks it's all speculation, Craig.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
That's what we do here on Cardinals Cover two percented
by Hundai, proudly partner of the Arizona Cardinals. Josh wet
last year, Yeah, played nearly sixty percent of the defensive snaps.
In two games, he played seventy percent or more. And
those are numbers we've not seen from an outside linebacker
here with the Arizona Cardinals. But again lately lately correct
(24:43):
at least understand.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
What Jones used to do that Yeah, you're talking about under.
Speaker 1 (24:46):
This now is Josh wet Chandler Jones because of ability
and you're paying a lot of money, so you don't
want that guy standing on the sideline. At the same time,
you want to make sure he's available in December and January.
But he just might be too good depending on what
else you have in that room. And we don't know
about b Jo Jolari, we don't know about Xavier Thomas,
(25:08):
we don't know about Jordan Birch. Do you need to
have five outside linebackers as they did a year ago,
or do you play a little bit of a numbers
game because you want to go heavy at defensive line
or cornerback because of the talent there, and then roster shuffling,
practice squad elevations, and you just that fifth off side
(25:31):
linebacker becomes more of a revolving door.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
I don't know. I can tell you right now the
names you named with outside linebacker alone, I don't think
any of those guys are getting your practice squad. I
think if you cut any of them, somebody's picking them up.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
Have you seen enough of Xavier Thomas?
Speaker 3 (25:50):
I seen enough of Xavier Thomas to what to where?
Speaker 1 (25:54):
If you're a team out there again? Not that I
want Zavier Thomas to go anywhere, but if you're again,
this is all part of that fun game that teams play.
Who do we think can slip through waivers and not
get claim because everyone loves their own players. How does
a how do other teams view if some of those Cardinals.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
Players stunned if Xavier Thomas, if he were to be released,
wasn't picked up off waivers by somebody.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
See I felt the same way a year ago with
Michael Carter.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
Yeah, but running backs can be a diamond dozen, and
I was surprised about Michael Carter running back to be
a diamond dozen. You can never have enough pass rushers.
Speaker 1 (26:29):
And maybe that's.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
Just one other teams is going to pick him up.
Please please, that's why Dave mcginnison.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Please, Daron does impressions now here. This is great? What
else daring by the way, this actually we do need
to talk about this because you wrote about on IUSA
Cardinals dot com. Dennis Kardek, according to reports, has found
a new home with the Jacksonville Jaguars. I think we
all saw the riding on the wall that he was
(26:58):
not going to be coming back here to the Arizona Cardinals.
But you never like to close that door. As I
look to Cody, he's still hoping Kaiser White is brought
back to the Arizona Cardinals. I hate to break it
to you, but it's probably not gonna happen. But Dennis
gard Deck I think he is. Before we get to
talk about him on the field, his background, how he
(27:18):
got to the NFL undrafted, stuck around, got a contract extension,
and turned into not just a special teams player, but
a solid pass rusher. When Chandler Jones got hurt and
all of a sudden was very successful. And now you
hope for the best for both the person and the
(27:39):
player in Jacksonville, because Dennis Gardick was one of those
guys that you are happy for their success even though
it might not be here in Arizona.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
Look Dennis Gardeck. I love talking to him from jump.
He was completely under the radar when he showed up.
And it was such a weird season anyways, that was
the twenty eighteen season with Wilkes and Bruce arians was gone,
and you had this guy that reminded a lot of
people of Pat Tillman, just with the way he kind
of looked and the kind of the way he played
(28:11):
and he carved out It already looked like it was
going to be an interesting career just by doing special teams.
And then when Chandler Jones got hurt in twenty twenty
and Hassan Reddick had to play all the time and
they needed another outside linebacker, and they didn't play Dennis
Gardic a lot. They played him less than one hundred
defensive snaps that year and he got seven sacks, So
(28:31):
you know, to a lesser extent, he was Hassan Reddick
in terms of they tried to play him inside and
he was just naturally an outside guy. And that's happened
a lot here, but I think the way he connected
to the fan base, the way he connected in the community.
(28:52):
You hate to see those guys move on. It happens,
and obviously a second ACL injury doesn't help matters. But
he was he left an he left an imprint, like
I said, and I I have nothing but praise for
Dennis Gardick.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
It's you. Hear Ron Wofley talk about it. Last ten
years in the NFL shouldn't lasted ten minutes. You can
say the same thing about Dennis Gardek, And there are
a lot of players that you can say the same
about because you can't measure them based off their measure buls,
because they play bigger, stronger, faster than what shows up
(29:29):
on a height, weight and what you run because of
just their want to. And if you want it bad enough,
you can be successful. And Dennis Gardik wanted it bad
enough to where he was successful, very successful. Just unfortunate
that injuries derailed his career here with the Cardinals, but
again good luck to him in Jacksonville. Another Cardinals free agent,
(29:51):
Tristan Cologne, according to reports, signing with the Detroit Lions,
who now all of a sudden have an opening all
that offensive line as far as what Cologne can do
as an interior offensive lineman. So I wish those guys
nothing but the best. Also, the NFL Network announcing that
twenty one games preseason games will be carried live on
(30:11):
the network, including a couple of Cardinals games Week two
at Denver and then Week three at home against the Raiders.
Of course, all those games locally on Arizona's family, but
this will be an interesting different preseason because this is
the time of year when we get to August that
everyone gets excited for Cardinal games because they get to
hear Ron Woofley's voice. Well, that's not going to be
(30:32):
happening in twenty twenty five. There will be a new
color analyst, Darren, is it you was? There's something that
happened that got announced while I was gone that I missed.
Speaker 3 (30:42):
Nothing has been announced, so Pass.
Speaker 1 (30:44):
Is working solo as of right now.
Speaker 3 (30:46):
I'm sure they will have somebody next to them. You know,
I it would never be me, because I would fail
miserably in that regard.
Speaker 1 (30:54):
But you've watched enough football, you know enough x's and TH's.
You could handle yourself.
Speaker 3 (31:00):
No, I don't know, unless I could spend half my
time ripping on you and Gersh and Danny, and.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
Maybe that's what we need. Maybe we need it. And
would the NFL ever allow an alternative broadcast the demanding cast?
Can we do an urban urban cast or content cast?
Can we do that where it's just like, you know.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
I don't know, I'm thinking what six viewers? Seven viewers?
Speaker 1 (31:28):
Maybe well all of our families and friends.
Speaker 3 (31:31):
Oh, you'd be surprised with how little my family looks
at what I produce as content.
Speaker 1 (31:36):
That's unfortunate.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
The number of times I'm like, hey, did you some
my wife or my kids? Hey, did you see this?
And are I say, hey, did you see that such
and such happened with the Cardinals today at work today? Oh? Yeah,
I saw that on ESPN. I'm like, come on.
Speaker 1 (31:52):
Then you get the text alert or the notification.
Speaker 3 (31:55):
Going to get me started here, don't get me started.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
I mean, we're still love.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Yeah, that's a good question. I ask that specific question.
Where is the love? All right?
Speaker 1 (32:05):
One piece of item? One more piece of item. I
should say, there's a possibility of seeing Darren Urban on
the road this season. And if that doesn't get you
excited at burgang I don't know what will join the
burg Gang in Dallas for Monday Night football through Cardinals
Premiere travel hosted by Cardinals Legends, not Darren. Travel packages
(32:26):
will include a chartered flights on the Cardinals plane. Maybe
you get to sit next to Darren, two night at
hotel accommodations, lower level game tickets and more. And there's
where I stress the more because I think maybe we
get a Q and A with at cards chatter. Can
we add to that to this read that I have
and more that you will do a.
Speaker 3 (32:46):
Q and awes as a sign.
Speaker 1 (32:48):
Q and A with at cards chatter. Place a two
hundred and fifty dollars per party deposit to lock in
the best price by visiting azcardstravel dot com. That's asy
car travel dot com. Darren is a man of the people.
He is always willing and able to engage the fan base,
whether that's here at State Farm Stadium or away from
(33:10):
the state of Arizona.
Speaker 3 (33:11):
I am a man of the people, just not us people.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
People within your own department.
Speaker 3 (33:19):
Don't want to be too close to the sun.
Speaker 1 (33:20):
Craig glad, I'm back, Darren.
Speaker 3 (33:22):
I'm so glad you're back. There's press conferences like three
days alow next week?
Speaker 1 (33:28):
That might be too much? Can I ease into Could
I just do Monday? Or could it was Tuesday? Can
I just do Tuesday and Thursday? Take that Wednesday off
that break?
Speaker 3 (33:36):
Who talks Wednesday?
Speaker 1 (33:39):
Who do you want to talk?
Speaker 3 (33:40):
I have my ideas that Who's going to be going.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Three more media availabilities before training camp begins in late July,
and that schedule should be released soon, right, Darren, mister
content guy.
Speaker 3 (33:51):
Over here, I would hope.
Speaker 1 (33:51):
So the Pittsburgh Steelers released their uh training camp schedule.
Speaker 3 (33:56):
I don't cover the Steelers.
Speaker 1 (33:57):
No, no, no, But the joke was that potentially, now Aaron
Rodgers knows when he'll be a to show.
Speaker 3 (34:02):
Up to work another thing I don't don't get me
started on.
Speaker 1 (34:05):
Okay, all right, well, it's good to be back.
Speaker 3 (34:07):
Go to bar Craig.
Speaker 1 (34:09):
Wow, we're gonna wrap up on that. No, just it
was a love fest there in the middle, cutting and
all of a sudden just went sideways real fast. All right.
On that note, we'll put it on. This edition of
Cardinals Cover two presented by Hyundai proud partner the Arizona Cardinals,
as always special thanks to our executive producer Jill mom
hendre Our associate producer Cody Fincher for Darren Urban, I'm
Craig real Lou. We will talk to you next time
(34:31):
here on Cardinals Cover two.
Yes, who's Blackburn Gang? And not a moment too soon? God,
Darren Urban joining me for talk about Zavon Collins? Is
there a more underappreciated player on the team? Also, Josh,
what how often do we expect to see number ten
on the field? It's Cardinals Cover two, episode eight ninety
and it starts now. Welcome to Cardinals Cover two. Wood
(00:29):
to Baker, what heart? What rent? This guy's unbelievable?
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Cardinals Cover two is presented by Hyundai, proud partner of
the Arizona Cardinals and by Arizona Cardinals Podcast. Visit Azycardinals
dot com slash podcast.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
He's at the ten half of five. He's it again,
so more hurry magic.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Whow here's Craig Grioler.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
So let me just say this, and with my boss
sitting directly across from me, if we're mistaken, Wow, right
off the top? Am I wrong? OTAs are voluntary? Correct, Darren?
Speaker 3 (01:12):
They are voluntary for players?
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Oh wow? Since one was for players? Added to this
because look, you're gone for a week and a half.
And whether it's the Red Sea Report, Cardinals Underground, or
this very show Cardinals Cover two. The number of shots
that I received basically was just one individual, Paul Calvic,
I show up what I need to show up. Mandatory
(01:36):
mini camp is not until next week. So the fact
that I missed what two open OTAs of the six
that were scheduled. Let me let's be fair.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
You did ask and we're granted permission to do whatever
the heck you were doing. But traveling the world, Yes,
the the voluntary part absolutely comes from uh, the NFLPA CDA,
and I don't. I don't think you're part of that.
And last time I checked you, along with everybody else
(02:10):
duties as a sign buddy.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Who's to say that I potentially was not scouting on
my I.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Will say travels for somebody on vacation, you are way
too connected. We're getting texts, you're you're making comments and
both personal and professional areas that like, dude, just just
be with your family. Pot Kittle Black, I'm different.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
I did not bring my computer.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
There's a reason I've risen to the level that I have, Craig.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Greelu, I'll say this though, I was overseas and the
best way to disconnect is to not have access. Yes, Well,
and the fact that I lost access to email when
I traveled overseas, which I was not expecting was a positive.
What it was a nice bonus, Like, Okay, I still
have social media as to figure out what's going on,
and yes I did keep track of who was and
(03:01):
who wasn't here.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
I'm gonna get out ahead of it. I am going
to assume be going on a vacation where I will
be without internet for most of the week or so
that I'm gone, So without internet.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Yeah, it's gonna never without internet. But okay, are you
gonna be?
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Are you gonna be? Okay? No, Okay, don't mess it up, Craig,
all right, yes, Cody, make sure you turn off the TVs.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
All right. So again, there were six OTA's. Actually there've
only been four. There's actually five because as we speak
here on Wednesday there was an OTA practice not open,
and then there is one schedule for a Thursday, but
two that were open to the media. So, Darren, what
I miss because I know, because I know you are
such a big fan of what happens in late May
(03:45):
and early.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
You just said that on Cardinals Underground, which was you know, look,
I get it, I get the people that care about attendance,
I get it. You know, it's funny I saw there
the ESPN radio station affiliate in Cleveland is act actually
doing a for every open ota. They're actually charting the
(04:06):
passes of the four quarterbacks. Now, come on, like, we
discussed this on Underground, and I know, just reiterate it
because i know the audiences for these two podcasts, I'm
sure are very different. You know, the rules are such
we're talking about the NFLPA. The rules are such with
you know what defenses can do. It's it's offense versus defense.
(04:28):
But essentially, you can't challenge the receiver in the air
once you're not supposed to. So once that ball is
in the air, once, once that passes about halfway to
where it's supposed to be going, the defensive back has
to dial it back down anyway, So there's I don't
know what you're measuring. Really, Look, I think they've got
pretty good attendants. It is voluntary, so not everybody's gonna
(04:51):
be there. You got guys that are rehabbing. I thought
Jonathan Gannon did a fantastic job the other day explaining
why he doesn't love talking about injuries. Doesn't mean I
don't wish he would talk about them more often, But
after he explained it. It's a very rational reason why
he doesn't like it very much. I think you've got
(05:12):
buy into the most important players. Kyler's out there every day,
he's working with guys. We're not going to really know
what's going to happen with this defense until you actually
start hitting in training camp. But you're relatively healthy and
that shouldn't be an issue going into camp. And I
don't know what else you're gonna get out of this.
I don't know if there is anything we've seen some
(05:33):
we've talked about this before. Bolt up, guys, but like again,
let's see what it means on the field.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
And that's kind of where I am. I know the
attention of Marvin Harrison Junior and Darius Robinson, how they look,
and I kind of fall in the category. Yeah, that's
great because it shows that they're working and they're trying
to get better at their craft. But it doesn't matter
what you look like. How productive are you on the
football field, And that's we won't know that until the
(05:59):
season began, but you do have to put it in
the work here. As far as attendance, I do think
it's important that you hear Kyler Murray being here I
think is huge. Once upon a time that was not
the case. I do think it stems from having your
franchise quarterback be here. I think it sends a good
message to trickle down. I also understand why there are
certain players who aren't here. When you reach the status
(06:19):
of a Kaleis Campbell or a Kelvin Beachum, you've been there,
done that this period of time.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Beach was here the other day, he was here. He
was here.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Okay. Now, typically he has chosen not to be here
until a mandatory mini camp, but he has earned it.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
He was here this week. One of the things that
struck me about Beach and I don't think this is
anything against Beach, because Beach is a large human being
and you saw him out with all the rest of
the offensive lineman and I'm like, holy cow, we have
some big offensive lineman. Because Beach actually looked a little
small wow, which, yeah, that tells you something because Beach
is not small. But anyways, so I didn't mean to
(06:54):
derail you that.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
I appreciate it. That was one of the things when
I was following from overseas, did not see Kelvin Beacham's
name on that list oh he's back. But again, you're here.
And at the end of the day, once we get
to November December, and the record is what the record is,
you're not talking about. Oh, let's go back to late May,
early June, and that's where it all began. I now
(07:20):
where I do think it is important for these OTAs
is for those rookies and young players, because once you
get to training camp and the veterans are here, you
lose those reps and you might not get those reps back.
So if you are a rookie or a second or
third year player on the bubble, you better be here
because you might get five or six rips here in
(07:42):
the offseason, but in training camp you might be getting
one or two.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Yeah, and that's all fair, and it does change. I
mean there's nuance here. You know. If such and such
isn't here, you're right, they've they've earned the right or
I don't know how much they're really gonna But if
you're younger, yeah, you should be here. And that makes
a lot of sense. And look, if I was playing,
(08:07):
probably I say that I don't know this. If I
was playing, I'd be here all the time. That's just
that's kind of who I am, but I understand again
why it wouldn't necessarily be that way for everybody. And
you know, if you're a Klais Campbell and you just
got through having a press conference with us when you signed,
and one of the things you noted was that you
(08:29):
think you can be still dominant for thirty or thirty
five snaps, But you start going over that and you're
gonna have a problem because of your age and the
and there aware on the tires. Then it makes some
sense to me that you're not out here when it's
one hundred degrees getting all these extra snaps, when the
(08:50):
juice isn't worth the squeeze with some of it, and
I'd rather have him save up whatever he's got left
on his body.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
And it's easier to be here if you live here.
If you don't live here and you've got family somewhere else,
then okay, Now it becomes how do you divide your time?
But listening to Marvin talk about, yeah, he is living here,
he's working out here, Savin Collins earlier this week saying
this is what he does, and his recommendation to players
is you don't need to pay someone to train you
(09:19):
just come to the facility, and that's always the thing.
What you get taught away from here, and then you
come back and you have to get retaught on what
this coaching staff, what this training staff wants you to do.
So there's always that give and take as far as
all right, is it really beneficial to go somewhere else
when you have the opportunity to just do it right
in your own backyard?
Speaker 3 (09:40):
And JG was talking about that, like this is like
basically the first and second part, and the third and
fourth parts. The more nuanced and leveled up ways to
go through installation come later in camp, and so this
is the early stuff. I will say, I'm glad you
listened to Zaven Collins interview. I'm disappointed that you listen
(10:00):
to it and we still don't have the breakdown. I
will say, dear listeners, that one of the things you
miss when Craig Reelou is not there, and it is
so important for so many of us in this in
this department. Uh, he basically goes through and marks down
the time of all the press conferences and what's being
said on each thing. And I can't even begin to
(10:21):
tell you how helpful that is when you're writing stories
or cutting sound or doing videos, and we've missed that
for a week and a half and it's just been devastating.
He deserves a promotion just on that. I can say
that because I have absolutely no control whatsoever on promotion,
so you know it doesn't really matter.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
But yeah, I'm looking over to my right over here.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Gets I expect you to catch up. Catch up those.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Head coach twice both coordinators in hell case? Is that yeah,
I do have some.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
I mean, will you do it? I don't know.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Oh no, I no, I think you know me long enough.
I will get it. I just again, it's when when
do you need it by I guess that's the question,
because you can't get it. You can't get those times back.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
I could use them with bride stuff today. Okay, it
is what it is.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Maybe by tomorrow. Speaking of Zaven, yes, and just as
many new pieces on this defense and the fresh faces,
whether they're young or they're older. Xavion Collins to me
is someone that I'm very interested in seeing, not only
(11:29):
where he plays, how much he plays. Because if you
listen to JG, you listen to Nick Rollis there is
a distinction and a separation between how they viewed Xavin
versus how many of the fans use Aven and maybe
even some media local and anational. To me, there is
a huge amount of appreciation for Zavon Collins within this building.
(11:53):
Outside the building, it's well, he only had five and
a half sacks last season as an outside linebacker. He's
not rushing the quarterback, he's not provided an pressure. But
then you hear the coaches say, well, it's not just that.
Within this defense, you want your outside linebacker to rush
the quarterback, set the edge, and drop into coverage. And
then there's additional responsibilities on Zavon that he's talked about
(12:16):
that we don't even notice. And then all right, how
do you determine he had a successful game a successful
season because he's being asked to do something that typically
in most defenses and outside linebackers just go get the
ball carrier on the backfield, whether that's the quarterback or
the running back. That's not the case here in Arizona.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
When zave and Collins contract was coming up last year
and they ended up re signing him, I think that
says a ton. I mean, here's a guy who was
drafted by the previous regime, as you said, hasn't exactly
put up stellar statistics. They moved him from the position
that he was playing. I mean a lot of those
things point to like, Okay, we're gonna use him until
(12:58):
his contract runs out and they're going to bring in somebody.
Makes more sense. The fact they brought him back, I
think says we might have underplayed how important that was
in terms of what it says about what they think
about him. I think they love what Zavion Collins does
for them. I think Nick Rolis loves the versatility that
he gives them. And no he's not a pro bowler,
(13:20):
but not everybody's going to be a pro bowler on
your team, and he gives them the option to do
so many different things, and they trust him to do
all those things. And I one hundred percent agree with you,
Like I think the dichotomy between what they think of
him in the building and how he's thought of outside
(13:43):
the building is kind of incredible.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
In a lot of ways, we hear about the person,
the player, and then the role, and I think Xavion
Collins checks all of those boxes, and maybe no one
more than the role. Because you look went back next
gen stats on places players as far as where they
line up on the football field, and they had Zavon
(14:06):
lined it last year at five different positions edge, defensive tackle, linebacker, slot,
and cornerback. Now, if he talked to Zavian as you
guys did earlier this week, it seems like it's maybe
half a dozen or maybe more depending on how you
figure out. All right, are you above the center, are
you over the guard outside of the tackle spot? Are
(14:27):
you dropping playing inside? What they do with Zavian is
almost to a lesser extent and maybe less effective as
far as numbers are concerned, to what they showed what
they did with Buddha last year. As far as the movie,
he's not just a safety. He's not just the last
line of defense. He's close to the line of scrimmage.
He's at all three levels of the defense. And that
(14:48):
whether it shows up on a piece of paper, that's
what coaches look at versus what end of the game
you're looking like, Oh, well he had you know, six
tackles and a tackle for loss. But his name to
get called on TV or radio. But you look at
the film and Zavion makes a play here, or makes
(15:09):
a block, gets off a block to allow someone else
to make the play or tackle for loss. So again,
to me, he's very underappreciated, and I think it's something
that he's not going anywhere, and you have to have
those guys. To your point, Darren, that everyone has a
defined role, and Zavon's role is not to be the
(15:30):
Pro bowler, the Hall of Famer. His role is to
be a solid player who could be in this league,
within this defense, maybe even on this team for several years.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
The other thing, too, is he's earned a You bring
in a new coach and you build a culture and
you want a certain locker room. Again, it is not
easy for a player from a previous regime, and we're
talking and when I say regime, it's not only the
coach but the GM two to be able to have
(16:00):
staying power with those people because for whatever reason, and
for him to earn another contract, they just they've got
to be impressed with him on every level, and he's
one of those guys in the locker room that they
like having in the locker room besides what he can
do on the field. So yeah, I mean, you gotta
have those guys that kind of build the roster, and
(16:23):
he's not to fill out the roster and to the
roster guy. He may not be on the very top.
He's not gonna get the Josh Sweat kind of money,
but for what he does crucial.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
And within this defensive scheme. Now maybe it doesn't fit
some other defense. Maybe that's why when that contract was
offered in training camp, it was okay, let me sign
it now versus waiting, Because sometimes your best opportunity is
the opportunity you have. The grass isn't always screeners.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
There's always guys who are gonna be more valuable where
they are than where how somebody else might see him.
Matt Wilson is another one of those guys. I think
for what they use him for here and how they
want to deploy him, Mac Wilson's probably more valuable with
Arizona Cardinals than he would be with most teams I
would think, as.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Far as one of those two guys, whether it's Avon
or Mac. And the big question now within that defense
is all right, who's calling the defense? And your question
to Nick Rowlis this week about all right, Kaizer White's
no longer there, you don't have him, what do you do?
Because typically whoever wears that green dot is on the
(17:35):
field the majority of the time eighty five ninety percent
of the time as Kaizer was his two seasons here.
But if you don't have a mac Wilson senior playing
that much or Zavin, can it really be Buddha or
JT in the secondary or is it a rotation? But
(17:56):
then with a rotation, it's a different voice in your
helmet and a different case, and that can cause confusion.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
I think it's a fantastic question, and it might. It's
something that's we can watch. I mean, I think Buddha
could do it. I think JT could do it again.
If you're Jalen Thompson and you're playing a lot of
snaps far away from the ball, that makes it harder
literally to make the calls if something is happening after
the huddle breaks. So I'm not sure what they're going
(18:29):
to do there. I mean, I have no doubt that
they have good plans in place, and some of it's
going to depend on who ends up winning that job.
I mean, if Cody Simon wins that vacant job, I
think he's a guy who's called defenses. I think you
can trust me. Seems super smart. I know he's a rookie,
but still, and I think you almost have to go
(18:50):
from there. In my opinion, you almost have to figure
out who you're going to have out there on the
field first and how much, and then and then try
and determine it rather than hey, these guys do the
green dot one of them hopefully is going to be on.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
The field could have changed weekly.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
I think that could get dangerous.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
I do too, But I keep hearing even Nick Raalis
brought it up like, and we hear it a lot
from JG. Well, we're adaptable. We really don't play a
certain style or a certain scheme. I'm still in the
opinion you're going to see a lot more four man
fronts with four defensive linemen than you've ever had in
two seasons with JG as the head coach and Nick
(19:33):
Raalis as a defensive quarter, just based off of personnel,
personnel and the number of bodies on that in that
D line room.
Speaker 3 (19:40):
I don't I don't necessarily disagree with you, and I
could totally see that happening. But again, we're we're so
far like as both Rales and Gan and we're talking
about this week, it's like this is a time of year,
is about competing to show you're better than the next guy,
and then we'll worry about like how that all fits
on the roster and on the field and all that stuff.
(20:02):
So we're a while away from really moving towards that.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
But that's what we talk about here in May, June,
and July is we're trying.
Speaker 3 (20:09):
To when you're around, When you're around, that's what I
thought we were.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
I thought we were done and had moved past that.
I mean, I am back here. I mean I was
here first thing in the morning. I didn't see you
at a thirty am?
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Why no, Why you know where I was? Civics matters.
You know what's important around here. Civic matters, Craig, Why
didn't you? And let me tell you something. There is
nobody who will beat a dead horse more than I will.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Darren Urban this morning at seven thirty am, was a
sky Harbor Airport, Yes, sending off a bunch of students,
including I wasn't but they were there participating, sending off
a bunch of students including can we call him a student,
Zach Kershman, I mean technically he is your pupil, right,
I mean he's learning to see what you did. He
is learning under the Darren Urban Tree.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
He's on the he's on the trip, but again a
civics matter. It's a very important uh uh thing that
this organization does with Desert Financial and close up in Washington,
d C. And sends two hundred and seventy five kids,
students who wrote essays. He sends him on the Cardinal
Team plane to go to DC and meet with senators
and congress people and visit people and places that are
(21:19):
important to the government, kind of learn how we govern
and hopefully create more informed electorate, which is important these days.
So no, I think it's a great thing that we
did it again this morning. But that's why I wasn't
in the office, Craig.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
Okay, Darren go to Azycardinals dot com for the article
that Darren wrotes. There you go, and then for all
the content that our colleagues ACT will be providing as well,
hopefully will be provided otherwise, it's basically a free trip
for him to DC.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
I like the things he's talked about making, so we'll
see what.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
All right, that's good tease. One other notes on the defense,
because that's what basically a lot of people are talking about.
Defensively just because the offense, the personnel is they're running
it back at least what it looks like. Yes, Now,
something else that I heard. Again, I've not gone through
the press conference log just yet. I will. One thing
(22:13):
I did hear though from Nick Ralis that struck me
was him talking about Josh What because we had not
heard Nick his reaction to the sweat addition, someone that
he is familiar with when they were in Philadelphia together.
But when asked about Josh we the first thing that
he mentioned was his run defense. Yes, not how he
(22:35):
can get after opposing quarterbacks, getting the quarterback down, getting
those sacks, but how how good he is at setting
the edge. And my ears perked up because I know
you spent a lot of money on him. He views
himself as a three down linebacker. But it doesn't matter
what the player of views, it's what the coaching staff views.
(22:55):
So you spent a lot of money, So you would
expect to see Josh Witt on the field a lot,
not only on just obvious passing situations, but if he
is that good against the run, now all of a sudden,
he's not coming off the field unless you just you
need a I mean, there's not. Maybe there's not as
much of a rotation at outside linebacker as we have
seen in years past.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
It should be noted that since Nick Rolis took over
his defensive coordinator, the Cardinals have not had an outside
linebacker that I think is over sixty percent of the
defensive snaps.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
Xavin last year was fifty five percent, the highest among
outside linebackers.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
So does Josh Weat jump that because of who he
is and what he can do? Or will it continue
to be a rotation to keep everybody fresh? I mean,
one of the reasons you want to have build up
your death is so you can keep moving in. I mean,
you still have Zavon who's gonna play Baron Browning who
they have they like and they think you can take
(23:50):
another step up, and you want to see what you
get from bjo JL. So does Sweat need to play
that much? You know? I am truly fascinated with not
only what this defense looks like in terms of how
they deploy players schematically, but also how they deploy playing time,
(24:11):
because that's going to be unbelievable to see, like that
defensive line, what's that going to look like? But we're
not going to know until it looks it's all speculation, Craig.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
That's what we do here on Cardinals Cover two percented
by Hundai, proudly partner of the Arizona Cardinals. Josh wet
last year, Yeah, played nearly sixty percent of the defensive snaps.
In two games, he played seventy percent or more. And
those are numbers we've not seen from an outside linebacker
here with the Arizona Cardinals. But again lately lately correct
(24:43):
at least understand.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
What Jones used to do that Yeah, you're talking about under.
Speaker 1 (24:46):
This now is Josh wet Chandler Jones because of ability
and you're paying a lot of money, so you don't
want that guy standing on the sideline. At the same time,
you want to make sure he's available in December and January.
But he just might be too good depending on what
else you have in that room. And we don't know
about b Jo Jolari, we don't know about Xavier Thomas,
(25:08):
we don't know about Jordan Birch. Do you need to
have five outside linebackers as they did a year ago,
or do you play a little bit of a numbers
game because you want to go heavy at defensive line
or cornerback because of the talent there, and then roster shuffling,
practice squad elevations, and you just that fifth off side
(25:31):
linebacker becomes more of a revolving door.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
I don't know. I can tell you right now the
names you named with outside linebacker alone, I don't think
any of those guys are getting your practice squad. I
think if you cut any of them, somebody's picking them up.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
Have you seen enough of Xavier Thomas?
Speaker 3 (25:50):
I seen enough of Xavier Thomas to what to where?
Speaker 1 (25:54):
If you're a team out there again? Not that I
want Zavier Thomas to go anywhere, but if you're again,
this is all part of that fun game that teams play.
Who do we think can slip through waivers and not
get claim because everyone loves their own players. How does
a how do other teams view if some of those Cardinals.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
Players stunned if Xavier Thomas, if he were to be released,
wasn't picked up off waivers by somebody.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
See I felt the same way a year ago with
Michael Carter.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
Yeah, but running backs can be a diamond dozen, and
I was surprised about Michael Carter running back to be
a diamond dozen. You can never have enough pass rushers.
Speaker 1 (26:29):
And maybe that's.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
Just one other teams is going to pick him up.
Please please, that's why Dave mcginnison.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Please, Daron does impressions now here. This is great? What
else daring by the way, this actually we do need
to talk about this because you wrote about on IUSA
Cardinals dot com. Dennis Kardek, according to reports, has found
a new home with the Jacksonville Jaguars. I think we
all saw the riding on the wall that he was
(26:58):
not going to be coming back here to the Arizona Cardinals.
But you never like to close that door. As I
look to Cody, he's still hoping Kaiser White is brought
back to the Arizona Cardinals. I hate to break it
to you, but it's probably not gonna happen. But Dennis
gard Deck I think he is. Before we get to
talk about him on the field, his background, how he
(27:18):
got to the NFL undrafted, stuck around, got a contract extension,
and turned into not just a special teams player, but
a solid pass rusher. When Chandler Jones got hurt and
all of a sudden was very successful. And now you
hope for the best for both the person and the
(27:39):
player in Jacksonville, because Dennis Gardick was one of those
guys that you are happy for their success even though
it might not be here in Arizona.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
Look Dennis Gardeck. I love talking to him from jump.
He was completely under the radar when he showed up.
And it was such a weird season anyways, that was
the twenty eighteen season with Wilkes and Bruce arians was gone,
and you had this guy that reminded a lot of
people of Pat Tillman, just with the way he kind
of looked and the kind of the way he played
(28:11):
and he carved out It already looked like it was
going to be an interesting career just by doing special teams.
And then when Chandler Jones got hurt in twenty twenty
and Hassan Reddick had to play all the time and
they needed another outside linebacker, and they didn't play Dennis
Gardic a lot. They played him less than one hundred
defensive snaps that year and he got seven sacks, So
(28:31):
you know, to a lesser extent, he was Hassan Reddick
in terms of they tried to play him inside and
he was just naturally an outside guy. And that's happened
a lot here, but I think the way he connected
to the fan base, the way he connected in the community.
(28:52):
You hate to see those guys move on. It happens,
and obviously a second ACL injury doesn't help matters. But
he was he left an he left an imprint, like
I said, and I I have nothing but praise for
Dennis Gardick.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
It's you. Hear Ron Wofley talk about it. Last ten
years in the NFL shouldn't lasted ten minutes. You can
say the same thing about Dennis Gardek, And there are
a lot of players that you can say the same
about because you can't measure them based off their measure buls,
because they play bigger, stronger, faster than what shows up
(29:29):
on a height, weight and what you run because of
just their want to. And if you want it bad enough,
you can be successful. And Dennis Gardik wanted it bad
enough to where he was successful, very successful. Just unfortunate
that injuries derailed his career here with the Cardinals, but
again good luck to him in Jacksonville. Another Cardinals free agent,
(29:51):
Tristan Cologne, according to reports, signing with the Detroit Lions,
who now all of a sudden have an opening all
that offensive line as far as what Cologne can do
as an interior offensive lineman. So I wish those guys
nothing but the best. Also, the NFL Network announcing that
twenty one games preseason games will be carried live on
(30:11):
the network, including a couple of Cardinals games Week two
at Denver and then Week three at home against the Raiders.
Of course, all those games locally on Arizona's family, but
this will be an interesting different preseason because this is
the time of year when we get to August that
everyone gets excited for Cardinal games because they get to
hear Ron Woofley's voice. Well, that's not going to be
(30:32):
happening in twenty twenty five. There will be a new
color analyst, Darren, is it you was? There's something that
happened that got announced while I was gone that I missed.
Speaker 3 (30:42):
Nothing has been announced, so Pass.
Speaker 1 (30:44):
Is working solo as of right now.
Speaker 3 (30:46):
I'm sure they will have somebody next to them. You know,
I it would never be me, because I would fail
miserably in that regard.
Speaker 1 (30:54):
But you've watched enough football, you know enough x's and TH's.
You could handle yourself.
Speaker 3 (31:00):
No, I don't know, unless I could spend half my
time ripping on you and Gersh and Danny, and.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
Maybe that's what we need. Maybe we need it. And
would the NFL ever allow an alternative broadcast the demanding cast?
Can we do an urban urban cast or content cast?
Can we do that where it's just like, you know.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
I don't know, I'm thinking what six viewers? Seven viewers?
Speaker 1 (31:28):
Maybe well all of our families and friends.
Speaker 3 (31:31):
Oh, you'd be surprised with how little my family looks
at what I produce as content.
Speaker 1 (31:36):
That's unfortunate.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
The number of times I'm like, hey, did you some
my wife or my kids? Hey, did you see this?
And are I say, hey, did you see that such
and such happened with the Cardinals today at work today? Oh? Yeah,
I saw that on ESPN. I'm like, come on.
Speaker 1 (31:52):
Then you get the text alert or the notification.
Speaker 3 (31:55):
Going to get me started here, don't get me started.
Speaker 1 (31:57):
I mean, we're still love.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Yeah, that's a good question. I ask that specific question.
Where is the love? All right?
Speaker 1 (32:05):
One piece of item? One more piece of item. I
should say, there's a possibility of seeing Darren Urban on
the road this season. And if that doesn't get you
excited at burgang I don't know what will join the
burg Gang in Dallas for Monday Night football through Cardinals
Premiere travel hosted by Cardinals Legends, not Darren. Travel packages
(32:26):
will include a chartered flights on the Cardinals plane. Maybe
you get to sit next to Darren, two night at
hotel accommodations, lower level game tickets and more. And there's
where I stress the more because I think maybe we
get a Q and A with at cards chatter. Can
we add to that to this read that I have
and more that you will do a.
Speaker 3 (32:46):
Q and awes as a sign.
Speaker 1 (32:48):
Q and A with at cards chatter. Place a two
hundred and fifty dollars per party deposit to lock in
the best price by visiting azcardstravel dot com. That's asy
car travel dot com. Darren is a man of the people.
He is always willing and able to engage the fan base,
whether that's here at State Farm Stadium or away from
(33:10):
the state of Arizona.
Speaker 3 (33:11):
I am a man of the people, just not us people.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
People within your own department.
Speaker 3 (33:19):
Don't want to be too close to the sun.
Speaker 1 (33:20):
Craig glad, I'm back, Darren.
Speaker 3 (33:22):
I'm so glad you're back. There's press conferences like three
days alow next week?
Speaker 1 (33:28):
That might be too much? Can I ease into Could
I just do Monday? Or could it was Tuesday? Can
I just do Tuesday and Thursday? Take that Wednesday off
that break?
Speaker 3 (33:36):
Who talks Wednesday?
Speaker 1 (33:39):
Who do you want to talk?
Speaker 3 (33:40):
I have my ideas that Who's going to be going.
Speaker 1 (33:43):
Three more media availabilities before training camp begins in late July,
and that schedule should be released soon, right, Darren, mister
content guy.
Speaker 3 (33:51):
Over here, I would hope.
Speaker 1 (33:51):
So the Pittsburgh Steelers released their uh training camp schedule.
Speaker 3 (33:56):
I don't cover the Steelers.
Speaker 1 (33:57):
No, no, no, But the joke was that potentially, now Aaron
Rodgers knows when he'll be a to show.
Speaker 3 (34:02):
Up to work another thing I don't don't get me
started on.
Speaker 1 (34:05):
Okay, all right, well, it's good to be back.
Speaker 3 (34:07):
Go to bar Craig.
Speaker 1 (34:09):
Wow, we're gonna wrap up on that. No, just it
was a love fest there in the middle, cutting and
all of a sudden just went sideways real fast. All right.
On that note, we'll put it on. This edition of
Cardinals Cover two presented by Hyundai proud partner the Arizona Cardinals,
as always special thanks to our executive producer Jill mom
hendre Our associate producer Cody Fincher for Darren Urban, I'm
Craig real Lou. We will talk to you next time
(34:31):
here on Cardinals Cover two.
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