Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles NT Bennie Logan stands out in preseason opener

Published Aug. 17, 2015 10:27 p.m. ET

foxsports

In 2014, Philadelphia Eagles nose tackle Bennie Logan quietly developed a reputation as one of the NFL's top run-defending 3-4 defensive tackles. If Sunday's preseason opener was any indication, Logan is primed to enjoy a true breakout season in 2015.

Logan lined up for just nine snaps with the Eagles' first team defensive unit against Andrew Luck and the Colts' first team offense, but that was all he needed to make a major impact in the run game. He was charted with three tackles on the box score, but Logan's impact was best seen if you watched the first two series of the game. He collapsed the interior and made it impossible for the Colts to find any room on run plays.

According to game charting and advanced statistics website Pro Football Focus, Logan was the a menace against the run. He finished with two "stops" on his nine snaps. According to PFF, "a stop measures the total number of solo defensive tackles a player has that constitute and offensive failure."

If Logan can put it all together in 2015, the Eagles have a chance to be one of the NFL's top run-defending defenses. With the addition of Kiko Alonso in the middle, they are stronger at the second level. If Logan can provide lanes for Alonso to work through, the Eagles will be a tough unit to establish a ground game against.

(h/t Pro Football Focus)