Eagles NT Bennie Logan had a good rookie season. He took over as a starter at mid-season and the defense played their best football with Logan in the starting lineup. He finished with 2 sacks, 2 TFLs and a FR.

Logan understands that he needs to play better in 2014. He must build upon the success he had as a rookie. The first order of business is bulking up. Logan is now up to 319 pounds. Zach Berman has some more details on Logan.

Logan entered the starting lineup in Week 9, and the Eagles went on a five-game winning streak. He averaged 20 snaps in the first eight games of the season and 41.5 snaps in the last eight. The winning did not begin because of Logan, but the Eagles liked what they saw.

When general manager Howie Roseman was asked at the scouting combine in February about getting a bigger player for the middle of the defensive line, he gave an ardent endorsement of Logan. Roseman said Logan has the frame to hold 320 pounds and raved about his athleticism.

The Eagles’ offseason moves served as validation. They did not sign a nose tackle in free agency. In the draft, they bypassed Louis Nix – a prototypical 3-4 nose tackle – when he was on the board in the third round. The team spent a seventh-round pick on Beau Allen, who could provide depth at that spot.

Defensive-line coach Jerry Azzinaro asked Logan to add 10 pounds after last season. Logan returned to Louisiana State, where he worked out and took classes. His weight swelled to 320 pounds, and he shed a few pounds to get more comfortable. Logan said he wanted to ensure he was “still quick and explosive,” although he recognized the need for more weight.

I know some people want a mammoth NT, but Logan can get the job done. The added bulk will help him to anchor against the run, but he’s also light enough to still move well. The Eagles like to move the DL around with loops and stunts. Logan’s athleticism helps him to be effective when they do this.

“Most people, when they picture a nose tackle, they picture a 330-plus guy, just clogging up the middle,” Logan said. “But the way we play our defense, you’ve got to be able to run. And I don’t feel I’d be able to run or do the things our coaches, in our scheme, require us to do. That’s why I’m not 330, or put on that much weight.”



Beau Allen is 330 pounds and is more of a pure run-stuffer. He can be a good role player. Damion Square is the player that really needed to get bigger and stronger. It will be interesting to see how he looks and how he plays this summer.

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Mike Kaye put together a cool piece for BGN on where former Eagles are playing.

How many people remember Simoni Lawrence? He’s now in the CFL, along with a slew of former Eagles. This was an interesting trip down memory lane.

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