Bennie Logan becoming a force for Eagles' defensive line

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Fletcher Cox may be the Eagles' lineman garnering the attention recently, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his big game against the Saints on Sunday. Defensive coordinator Bill Davis, on the other hand, would argue Bennie Logan turned in just as strong of a performance.

“Fletch had an outstanding game, but Bennie had probably an equal game, but didn't have the numbers,” Davis said.

That might sound like a bold statement considering Cox produced one of the most dominant outings by a defensive end in recent memory. Then again, Logan has become a force to be reckoned with in 2015, which could have something to do with Cox’s breakout.

“Bennie is very strong in the run game," Davis said, "and then a couple of the sacks that Fletch got — Fletch did a great job, don't want to take anything away from Fletch, because he had a phenomenal game — but Bennie was right there, pushing the pocket, not giving another escape route for the quarterback.”

It’s not as if Logan didn’t have a good game statistically, either. The third-year nose tackle finished with five tackles, including a team-high three for loss, not to mention he picked up his first sack of the season.

It was just another in an increasingly impressive string of strong showings. Yet even Logan had to admit it wasn’t 3.0-sacks, two-forced-fumbles good, the day Cox posted.

“Fletcher had a fantastic game,” Logan said. “I don’t think too many people had a game like Fletcher had. The sacks and things he did on Sunday definitely helped spark our defense and get us going, and definitely helped lead our team to victory.”

Then again, Logan is a humble, perpetual team-first guy. He doesn’t seek adulation or recognition in the form of awards and Pro Bowls.

“I don’t really care about that,” Logan says. “I don’t. I just enjoy playing with these guys and having fun out there on Sunday.”

Logan may not want to put the attention on his own noticeably improved play, but the reality is he’s really stood out this season, going all the way back to the first preseason game. Frankly, the 25-year-old has been flat-out dominant, even downright unblockable at times, particularly against the ground attack.

It’s not like Logan wasn’t playing well last season, either. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked fifth among all interior linemen with a 9.9 run-stop percentage in 2014. This year, however, he’s up to second in the NFL in the metric with a whopping 18.2 percent.

Even by standard measures, Logan ranks among top defenders in the NFL. The 2013 third-round draft pick's 26 tackles are tied for third among all defensive linemen, and highest among Eagles linemen by eight.

How has Logan made such a huge jump from Year 2 to Year 3?

“Just confidence and being more relaxed and having fun and playing next to the guys I’m lining up in the game with,” Logan said. “Fletcher, [Cedric Thornton], [Beau Allen], whoever I’m in there with.

“We just have fun, relax, make mistakes and go from there. We really don’t dwell on the mistakes anymore, we just play full speed and correct it on the sidelines.”

Cox attributed Logan’s ascension to growing up in Davis’ system, not being happy with the previous season’s accomplishments and keeping a chip on his shoulder.

“I can tell you a whole lot about Bennie,” Cox said. “Bennie is one of the most underrated players on this team, and I have a lot of respect for Bennie.

“Bennie comes out here every week in practice and works hard and it shows up on gameday. A lot of people don’t see that. I’m in the locker room with him, I’m on the practice field with him, I’m in the game with him. I see those types of things from Bennie. Bennie is really consistent, he’s working his butt off and I’m telling you it’s going to pay off soon.”

Presumably the paying off would be accolades and contract extensions similar to what Cox has earned. While he would be a star anywhere in any system, the defensive end knows having a talent like Logan alongside him makes his job that much easier.

“It helps a lot when you have a great nose tackle like Bennie," Cox said. "He can play the run, rush the quarterback and causes a lot of problems.”

Once again, Logan sees things a little different.

“I think it’s the other way around,” Logan argued. “It’s definitely a great thing to play next to Fletcher and Ced. Those guys coach me a lot of times and always have my back. It’s not them playing with me, it’s I’m playing with those guys.

“Understanding the defense, understanding the scheme of things, and when I make mistakes, those guys are there to cover for me, so I can’t agree with him on that one.”

Two things most everybody can agree on is Logan and Cox are among the top players at their respective positions in the NFL, and this entire Eagles defensive line is one of the best units in the league. Opposing ball-carriers are averaging just 3.5 yards per attempt, tied for the lowest in 2015, and that all starts up front.

As usual, though, Logan isn’t content with that — one of the marks of a great player.

“Yeah, we’re pretty happy," Logan said, "but at the same time, we’re not satisfied because the way we’ve been playing we can do a lot better.

“We just go out every day and try to be dominant.”

Mission accomplished.

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