Darren Urban

Melbourne, Tempe

Working 26th season covering Arizona Cardinals. Emmy winner. Opinions are my own, not team's. Warning and a promise: Sarcasm can be found here. @Cronkite_ASU

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Articles

Cardinals can win even if tight end Trey McBride remains top passing target and not Marvin Harrison Jr.

3 weeks ago | azcardinals.com | Darren Urban

Tight end has never really been much of a thing for the Cardinals since the franchise moved to Arizona in 1988. Trey McBride has changed that. Before Big Play Trey, a tight end had only led the Cardinals in receptions one season during their Arizona era, a 2002 year where the 44 receptions of Freddie Jones (for a mere 358 yards) led the team. Then McBride did it the last two seasons for the Cardinals.
The Benefit And The Danger Of Coaching In Cleats

3 weeks ago | azcardinals.com | Darren Urban

One-time Cardinals wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, a former player, once famously donned a full uniform when he was coaching in Miami to give a full understanding to his players about a teaching topic. That isn't happening with the Cardinals, although watching new defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III wear cleats as he coaches is interesting to see.
LB Dennis Gardeck carved out fan favorite status in his career with Cardinals

3 weeks ago | azcardinals.com | Darren Urban

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Civics Matters To Cardinals And Students Bound For D.C.

3 weeks ago | azcardinals.com | Darren Urban

Alex Velasquez Hernandez never expected to fly to Washington D.C. to get a chance to learn more about his country's history and government. But his favorite history teacher at Trevor Browne High School in Phoenix encouraged him to submit an essay about why civics and government matter, to potentially get such an opportunity. And there he was Wednesday morning, one of the 275 high school students whose essays earned them a spot on the Cardinals' team plane for the annual Civics Matters field trip.
The Offseason And Jonathan Gannon's Philosophy On Talking About Injuries

3 weeks ago | azcardinals.com | Darren Urban

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You've Got Mail: What Will The Cornerback Room Look Like?

3 weeks ago | azcardinals.com | Darren Urban

In a quick callback to last week's mailbag, a co-worker of mine reminded me that CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie came on strong late in 2008 and in the postseason. Ken Whisenhunt wasn't a guy who liked to play rookies a ton, especially early, so it took a bit for DRC to get in there, but he did make a difference when it counted. Hopefully I have no further oversights in this week's mailbag. Questions have been edited for length and clarity.
Cardinals hope to use speed at wideout with veteran Quez Watkins

3 weeks ago | azcardinals.com | Darren Urban

The basketball dream for Quez Watkins ended in 10th grade, after he made his high school's varsity team for the first time and his coach delivered a blunt assessment. "Look," he told Watkins, "you're pretty good, but you don't have a pure jumper and you're not going to be no more than 6-2, so your best bet is to go to football."That Watkins, a free-agent wide receiver signee for the Cardinals, is relaying the anecdote in the middle of an NFL locker room underscored the intelligence of the advice.
Next Steps After The Kyzir White Era

1 month ago | azcardinals.com | Darren Urban

It's been a few months since Kyzir White first posted on social media his goodbye to the Cardinals, and a few weeks since new QB Jacoby Brissett was issued jersey No. 7, which is what White had worn his two years as inside linebacker. But until this week, there hadn't been any real acknowledgment that there would be change at inside linebacker until coach Jonathan Gannon was asked how the Cardinals were handling moving on from a guy who had been a key defensive cog.
Cardinals DL Darius Robinson putting calf injury, rocky rookie season behind him

1 month ago | azcardinals.com | Darren Urban

At one point during a recent conversation among teammates, someone referred to new/old Cardinals veteran Calais Campbell as "Mr. 110."The nickname struck Darius Robinson odd in the immediate moment. He remembered that safety Budda Baker had reached his 100th NFL start last year, but Campbell, being much older than Baker, had to be well past 110 starts. Then it hit Robinson – the 110 was the number of sacks Campbell had piled up in his career.
Cardinals S Budda Baker admitted he used to get angry about youthful mistakes by secondary, but he has matured past that

1 month ago | azcardinals.com | Darren Urban

The Cardinals began Phase Three of their offseason program on Wednesday, the first of six organized team activities in which players can now wear helmets and have offense v defense work. (Still no contact, per the CBA.)Teams can have up to 10 OTA sessions in addition to their three-day mandatory minicamp. That has been what the Cardinals have done every year, until this one.