Eagles Nose Tackle Bennie Logan Proving He Has Nose For Football

Sep 15, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle

(94) and nose tackle Bennie Logan (96) celebrate during the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Eagles won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

But Bennie can’t do it alone, and the front office understood that.  The Eagles drafted nose tackle Beau Allen out of the University of Wisconsin in the seventh round of the 2014 draft.  In doing so, they signed up the services of a 6’2″ 345 pound defensive lineman, the prototype nose tackle.  Built like a fire plug, the kid is a throw back to the marvel comics Blob, who simply cannot be moved when his feet are planted firmly in the ground.   But he was brought in to augment, not replace, Logan.   When Logan was nursing a hamstring injury in the preseason, Allen stepped up and performed well.   So what was it about Allen that brought him into the fold?

Versatility.   The Eagles love to have defensive linemen who can play sideline to sideline.   And with Logan and Allen, they have that times two.

“…picture a 330-plus guy, just clogging up the middle.  But the way we play our defense, you’ve got to be able to run.” – Bennie Logan

So does this mean Logan has to look over his shoulder?   That’s not Bennie’s way.   In the preseason, when Allen ran off Soldier Field when the line rotated, Logan was first to greet him. Bennie is a selfless class act.  And that selflessness is apparent in the way he performs.   Throughout his collegiate career, Bennie was the guy willing to do whatever the coaches asked of him.   While other players’ faces splashed the headlines, Bennie was happy to let the spotlight shine on the other members of the LSU defensive line.   He understood that, in order for another to make the play, he had to tie up the offensive linemen.   And so he did.

In 2014, the Eagles defense is still searching for their identity.   Some players fill a role, while others are growing into their spot.   But a select few play larger than their roster spot, they bring quality out in the players around them.

The season is still young, and the defense is still working out their bugs.  But the team is 3-0 and has yet to have a solid defensive showing.   Big games are played on big stages, and big stages bring out big performances.   The Frank Gore comments of “They quit” in 2011 following a narrow victory set up this season’s match.  With the entire Eagles fanbase begging an Eagles player to step up, much as Gondor called upon Rohan in the face of war with Mordor, there is one player who will not ignore the call.

Bennie Logan will answer.   Muster the defense.