There was very little static with either.

The dearly departed McCoy was more than a golden-toned Valley treasure. He was an icon from another era. He was a local legend who stayed local, the longest tenured team broadcaster in NBA history (51 years). 

Vin Scully served 67 years with the Dodgers, but he had a strong national presence, broadcasting national baseball games along with football and golf. Harry Caray was a Chicago legend, but that relationship was a bit complicated, as he served both the White Sox and rival Cubs along with a 25-year stint with the St. Louis Cardinals. 

McCoy wasn’t quite as smooth as Scully, who could go entire broadcasts without fumbling a single word. He wasn’t the fun uncle swilling beer with customers in the bleachers, as Caray famously did.    

But he was graceful and grandfatherly and kind. (Unless you were an NBA referee). 

Best of all, he was ours.

McCoy died Saturday at age 91, and those who care about Phoenix Suns basketball went through their own cycles of grief. I took solace that McCoy had been frequently honored in recent years.  He knew what he meant to all of us.   

Behind the scenes and off the record, McCoy could be sharp-tongued and hilarious. Behind the microphone, he was class and polish personified. He became a trusted, comforting voice in the community. No one questioned his sincerity or his love of the Suns.  

He was also an accomplished pianist, and occasionally played for shut-ins and senior citizens in nursing homes. He was the steadying soundtrack for generations of fans in Arizona, but he was far more than just a voice. 

I also became angry that the Suns never won a championship in his 51 years on the job, especially when he grew so fond of Devin Booker. I resented the little pings of disrespect he felt late in his career, like broadcasting from the rafters or dealing with certain pompous head coaches. And then I came to a full stop. 

There was no void in McCoy’s life. There was nothing missing. He loved what he did. He was loved for what he did. How could a person be richer? Who would dare ask for anything more? 

Broadcasters like McCoy rarely exist in today’s sporting culture that is steeped in brand awareness and protecting the franchise. Most teams don’t like broadcasters who become larger than life, thereby gaining the autonomy to speak honestly at all costs, telling whatever hard truths are necessary. And the dilution/fragmentation of media has made it nearly impossible for local guys to become champions of the people, a mouthpiece for the masses. 

Not McCoy. He became bigger than sunsets and salsa in Arizona. He could’ve run for public office. And unlike many aging broadcasters, he never lost his fastball, broadcasting a fast-paced sport with great fluency until the very end. 

We’ll miss him because we loved him. Because we were the lucky ones.  

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6–10 a.m. on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

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There are long, hard days in football. Cruelty is part of the game.

On Sunday, the Cardinals absorbed the harshest of lessons.

They lost to the team they hope to become. They were outclassed and out-smashed by the Lions in a stadium full of blue infidels. They were grounded and pounded in a 20-13 loss that proved how far they have come and how far they still must travel.

This is no cause for alarm. When the schedule was released, even the diehards budgeted a loss to Detroit in Week 3. In terms of culture and personnel, the Lions are a few miles down the road, well ahead of the Cardinals.

But this game hurt. It was frighteningly physical. Pads thumped and helmets crashed. Many paid a heavy price. And in the end, Detroit was clearly better at big-dog football, dominating in rushing yards (188-77), rushing plays (43-18), and time of possession (36:49 to 23:11).

It felt like getting into a fight with a bigger brother. The Cardinals weren’t afraid. They never backed down. But they just weren’t good enough.

There were moments of severe frustration. A controversial call in the second quarter nullified a pick six from Mack Wilson Sr., triggering a 14-point swing on the scoreboard. Non-reviewable calls randomly and frequently burn every team in the NFL. Few have seemed so penal.

But football is steeped in adversity. The Cardinals had plenty of opportunities to find the dominant form they flashed against the Rams. They failed.

Kyler Murray threw a bad interception, forcing a deep pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. into the teeth of double coverage. He was late delivering the football on a few occasions. He seemed to struggle with when to take the layup and when to go big play hunting.

Understandable. Many fans have been screaming for Murray to take more chances with his gifted rookie. Harrison was coming off a breathtaking first-quarter performance against the Rams. It was natural to take more shots with the prized rookie. And it would be hypocritical to now blame Murray for attempting to force-feed a generational talent.

But the two are still misfiring, especially on back-shoulder throws. The struggle to find points and traction in the second half led to a fourth quarter with zero rushing attempts. The leather-lunged Lions fans in attendance made it difficult for the home team to communicate. And this loss proves the Cardinals offense needs to find a better Plan B when their snowplow is sputtering, when James Conner cannot carry the load.

Football is always violent and vicious. Sometimes it feels patently unfair. And sometimes a fan base will turn their outrage to the officiating because the clearest truth is the hardest to swallow.

The Cardinals are improving, compelling and entertaining. But they are not talented enough to hang with the real heavyweights of the NFL, including the team from Detroit that just beat them at their own game.

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6–10 a.m. on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

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This was no ordinary football game. This was a day to make history. A glorious day of new beginnings and second impressions.

The Cardinals turned the tables and a few pages on Sunday, smoking the Rams 41-10 at State Farm Stadium. For context, they had not beaten the Rams in Glendale since 2014, when their opponent still played football in St. Louis.

Rejoice. This is no longer the story of a hammer and a nail.

“When you play hard, when you play for each other, good things happen,” Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray said.

Marvin Harrison Jr. shook off his shaky debut in Buffalo with a transcendent first quarter. Arizona’s prized rookie emerged with four catches, 130 yards and two touchdowns in the first 15 minutes. His first career touchdown was a toe-tapping masterpiece in the back of the end zone. His second was a deep throw off a perfectly designed play, allowing Harrison to traverse the field and finish with an ambitious leap into the end zone.

The force-feeding of Harrison Jr. had profound effects. Giddy fans couldn’t help but wonder if they were watching a milestone in progress, the breakout game from their next Hall of Fame wide receiver.

Finally, Murray. His Houdini act in the first quarter was breathtaking stuff, worth the price of admission. His scrambling fireball of a touchdown pass to Elijah Higgins harkened back to his MVP candidacy in 2021. His overall performance was a powerful rebuttal to those who think Murray is not the answer in Arizona.

“He was lights out today,” Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said. “He’s a premium player for a reason. You take him against anybody. That’s how I feel.”

No argument there. The Cardinals had a 199-13 yardage advantage in the first quarter. Their 28-point lead early in the third quarter was their largest lead since Week 6 of the 2020 season. All of their stars were aligned, and all of their stars were contributors.

The Rams had issues. They were clearly compromised by injury. Their diminished offensive line was no match for the Cardinals, especially Dennis Gardeck (three sacks). But there will be no asterisks or caveats attached to this outcome, one of the most dominant displays at home in recent memory.

Cardinals sideline reporter Paul Calvisi coined a great phrase to describe the 2024 season, calling “September the new August.” Translation: For teams that put players in bubble wrap during the preseason, Week 1 is like a dress rehearsal and not to be trusted.

Their encore was much more promising, with so many victories inside a 60-minute game.

The Cardinals needed to prove they could beat the Rams. Gannon needed his first victory against an NFC West opponent. The team needed to reverse recent history and start winning a majority of their home games, reclaiming a home-field advantage at State Farm Stadium.

And before Murray regains his status as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, he must ascend in his own division, where he was 5-17 entering Sunday’s game. He responded with a perfect quarterback rating (158.3) along with 11.8 yards per rushing attempt.

With Rams great Aaron Donald enjoying his retirement, Murray suddenly looks like the best quarterback in the NFC West.

Missions accomplished. All of them.

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6–10 a.m. on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

Follow @danbickley

But these past two games against the Rangers have done a world of good in the Valley. 

After a 14-4 victory on Wednesday, the Diamondbacks have reaffirmed their status as World Series contenders, even if their playoff hopes are still in jeopardy.

They were dominant on command against a lesser team, as necessary, after dropping three of their four previous series. They scored 10 or more runs for the 19th time this season. 

The Diamondbacks are also getting healthy at the right time, welcoming back Christian Walker and Ketel Marte. Both sluggers clearly found their rhythm and their power against the Rangers, and when Gabriel Moreno returns, the Diamondbacks will no longer be easy prey for base stealers and left-handed starting pitchers. 

With a full roster, they will also display the sparkling depth assembled by General Manager Mike Hazen. To wit: 

A great team always presents heavy questions to its fan base. Such as, who is your favorite player?  

In Arizona, that answer might range from Marte to Corbin Carroll, from Walker to Moreno, from Eugenio Suarez to Joc Pederson to Geraldo Perdomo.

Just like the Avengers or the Guardians of the Galaxy, a diverse cast of heroes makes for an irresistible team, one that will capture your attention immediately. Even the debate over the most underrated player in Arizona would rage on local barstools. Randal Grichuk? Kevin Newman? Ryan Thompson? Adrian Del Castillo? 

“Something special is happening here from an offensive standpoint,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters after the game. 

But the most comforting development is the return of Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly as dueling aces. After a prolonged struggle with control and mediocrity, Gallen has stacked excellent starts. Kelly has looked extremely sharp in his past two outings, even though Wednesday’s start was cut short with another apparent bout of cramping, succumbing once again to the hotbox of Chase Field. 

The cramping issues that continue to plague Kelly, along with Jordan Montgomery’s epic struggles pitching inside Chase Field, are larger issues that demand attention. But if Kelly is OK, the Diamondbacks have all they need to win the World Series. Because once the playoffs begin, every series is a two-game series. And if you have two elite aces in your dugout, you have the fast lane to a championship. 

We witnessed as much in 2001, when the Diamondbacks beat the Yankees in seven games, mostly on the gravitas of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. Lay a couple of aces on the table, and you likely have the winning hand. No matter how high the stakes. 

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta mornings from 6–10 a.m. on Arizona Sports.

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It’s just one game. But in 60 minutes of compelling yet losing football, the Cardinals saw all of their ghosts. They witnessed the sum of their fears.

During a 34-28 loss to the Bills on Sunday, the Cardinals learned:

Their defense might be underfunded and short on playmakers for the second consecutive season. They allowed 31 points in the final 33 minutes. They could not pressure the quarterback without blitzing. They allowed four touchdowns in the span of five possessions.

The Cardinals appear to have very good linebackers and excellent safeties. But General Manager Monti Ossenfort went bargain hunting for cornerbacks and pass rushers, even though the team still has a reported $26.1 million of salary cap space available. If he’s on a strict budget, shame on the owner. But if Ossenfort left his team incapable of holding 14-point leads, he must wear the failure.

The Cardinals learned their franchise quarterback can be an unstoppable force, especially at the helm of a ball-control offense. But on Sunday, there was no late-game heroics from Kyler Murray. There was no connection to Marvin Harrison Jr., who was targeted only three times.

It was a curious debut for the prized rookie, deemed so valuable that he played one token series in the preseason. A wide-open Harrison Jr. dropped his first real attempt at catching a football. Then he disappeared from the game plan. And when he broke free from coverage on the final drive, waving to Murray on his way to the end zone, a scrambling quarterback never saw him. Never looked in his direction.

Lack of cohesion or rhythm didn’t seem to be an issue in the first half. After putting most of their players in bubble wrap during the preseason, the Cardinals were crisp and dominant in the first 27 minutes. They scored on the first three possessions of a game for the first time since 2006.

Meanwhile, the home team struggled with key mistakes, false start penalties and clock management issues. The notorious Bills Mafia grew restless and angry. The difference between the discipline and readiness of the two teams couldn’t have been more profound, and the game was shaping up to be another stunning triumph for Jonathan Gannon’s crew.

But when the stakes were raised and the Cardinals’ defense sagged, the offense couldn’t meet the challenge. An injury to Jonah Williams exposed the team’s lack of depth on the offensive line, and Murray felt a dramatic increase in pressure. Drew Petzing’s play calling ranged from curious to inexplicable for most of the second half.

Finally, the Cardinals learned there are no moral victories left in the well. In 2023, Valley sports fans would’ve slow-clapped this performance – a narrow loss and a slugfest on the road against a quality team and a great quarterback.

Today, this is just another bad loss. Today, there is more anger than pride. And while the journey is just getting started, it’s very clear the honeymoon is over. As it should be.

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta mornings from 6–10 a.m. on Arizona Sports.

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Kyler Murray is 27. His time is now. Or maybe never. 

The Cardinals quarterback is the key to our football dreams in 2024. He has five years of NFL experience, from the penthouse to the porta potties. He has successfully recovered from a major injury with remarkable tenacity. He is surrounded by lethal weapons and a coaching staff he both trusts and respects. He has grown up before our eyes, gaining much-needed perspective, maturity, and self-awareness. 

Yet true legends don’t take long to declare their greatness, and this is why Murray is at the crossroads. He has already flirted with real MVP candidacy, already led a NFL team to the playoffs. But there is a new generation of quarterbacks who have passed him by on the NFL depth chart (C.J. Stroud, Jordan Love, Brock Purdy, Justin Herbert). There are quarterbacks looking to reaffirm their greatness (Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers). There are young guns looking to dazzle as rookies on the big stage (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix).  

This is the season when Murray’s wheels must go up for good, when his career must reach peak altitude. A season when his base salary rises to $37,000,000 and his salary cap number takes up 18.2 percent of the pie. By contrast, the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes accounts or 14.7 of Kansas City’s payroll. 

The money shouldn’t matter. But his performance in 2024 will profoundly impact the way the Cardinals view their starting quarterback because he’s no longer affordable. 

Murray has many lingering critics in Arizona and beyond. The road hasn’t been easy. He was asked to lead a professional team at a time when his diminutive stature had become a national obsession. He was asked to front a team that already had its alpha leader in Larry Fitzgerald, the most popular athlete in Arizona history.  

Fresh off a Heisman Trophy and a career full of hero ball, Murray had no chance.  

He does now.  

Financially speaking, the Cardinals are clearly hedging their bets. They have a ton of unspent salary cap space that shouldn’t exist if a team really cares about winning and also employs a real franchise quarterback. Which means they are practically daring Murray to make them look stupid. 

Or maybe the Cardinals are smart. Because great quarterbacks transform mediocre rosters. They carry their teams to the postseason. And it’s time for Murray to make his intentions known. 

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