NFL teams
Louis Riddick, NFL 9y

The Cardinals' winning formula

NFL

It is often said in NFL circles that when it comes to winning football games, culture beats scheme every day. I, for one, am a believer in this particular philosophy, having experienced firsthand both as a player and as a member of a couple of different front offices over the course of my career just how important it is to have a healthy working environment that is preceded by good personal relationships.

If you want to have a chance at succeeding at a consistently high level in the NFL, the communication between management and coaches, coaches and coaches, coaches and players, and players with each other has to be open and honest. Although I often hear players and front-office members say that everyone doesn't have to like each other for a team to be successful, it sure does increase the likelihood of an organization being successful when they do.

Which brings me to the 2014 Arizona Cardinals, owners of the best record in the NFL -- 9-1 -- heading into their Week 12 showdown with division rival Seattle. There have been several reasons given for their surprising success this season, but here is why the connections among the coaching staff, front office and players are the biggest reasons.

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