Doug & Wolf give their 4 downs for Cardinals 1st preseason game

With Kyler Murray and the Cardinals opening up their season tonight in a preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers, 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Doug & Wolf along with Paul Calvisi gave their four downs for tonight’s game.

Each host chooses a player who piques their interest or needs to perform in the upcoming game for each down.

1st down

Doug Franz: OL Mason Cole

“Are you a center? Are you a guard? Are you staying right there? Are you in a position battle anymore, or with the injuries at guard are you fighting to be a starting guard? How much time are you going to get at center?”

Paul Calvisi: LB Dennis Gardeck

“Forget position battle. Is he a position player? We know what he can do on special teams, and he was dynamic on special teams.”

Ron Wolfley: WR Kevin White

“The high-wire is starting to wobble a little bit on Kevin White. The breeze is coming and the swaying is back. Kevin White needs to flash in this game. He needs to show that he can be a difference-maker.”

2nd down

Doug Franz: CB Robert Alford

“Robert, you are the guy. For six weeks, you’re the best starting cornerback of the Arizona Cardinals. What are you going to do?”

Paul Calvisi: DE Zach Allen

“What he’s been doing to some of the Cardinals O-lineman one-on-one… ohhhh boy. Can he do it in a game situation?”

Ron Wolfley: TE Darrell Daniels 

“This guy has something coming out of the side of his neck and it stinks. Those are the guys I want playing next to me.”

Daniels was an undrafted free agent in 2017 and has spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks. The former Washington Husky has three career receptions for 26 yards. The Cardinals claimed him off waivers in November of last year.

3rd down

Doug Franz: LB Haason Reddick

“This is the year. This is where you become either a very good NFL player or you’re just the guy the Cardinals drafted when they choked and didn’t know what to do when [Patrick] Mahomes and [Deshaun] Watson were gone.”

Paul Calvisi: WR  Pharoh Cooper

“The Cardinals return game has been non-existent for too long. This is a guy in 2017 who was All-Pro as a return man, both kickoffs and punt. Can he be the guy that actually puts some threat into the Cardinals return game?”

Ron Wolfley: CB Byron Murphy

“This kid honestly could have easily been a first-round pick. He needs to play like that. He needs to play with confidence, and the only way he’s going to get that confidence is by going to see himself compete and being successful.”

4th down

Doug Franz: Every single rookie

“There’s too many to count. Three rookie wide receivers and Byron Murphy. Every single rookie out there is supposed to be a contributor to this team, and therefore, with the journey starting today for them, other than Kyler Murray, if they fall on their face, you do have to look and say ‘Was it the bright lights, or were you able to not handle it? What happened?'”

Paul Calvisi: CB Chris Jones

“What can he do in August? We know what he’s been doing in camp. And he’s gotten a shoutout more than once from the head coach and the defensive coordinator. He’s been making plays. He’s been running stride-for-stride with some of the speedsters. He’s been physical.”

Jones was an undrafted free agent in 2018 and spent time with the Detriot Lions last year. The Cardinals claimed him off waivers in September of 2018, and he appeared in two games last season.

Ron Wolfley: OL Mason Cole

“Mason Cole never played guard at Michigan. That blew my mind ladies and gentlemen, I thought he played every position. But he started in every game as a true freshman and played in every game. Having said that, he’s got to be more physical at the point of attack and stronger on the bull.”