ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals get their speed in North Carolina RB T.J. Logan

Apr 29, 2017, 3:58 PM

National Team running back T.J. Logan, front, of North Carolina, avoids a tackle by American Team d...

National Team running back T.J. Logan, front, of North Carolina, avoids a tackle by American Team defensive linebacker Lucas Wacha (57), of Wyoming, during the second half of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl football game in Carson, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. The National Team won 27-7. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

(AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

TEMPE, Ariz. — There are certain traits coaches look for.

When it comes to Bruce Arians, speed is at the top of the list.

Therefore, it makes perfect sense that Arizona spent its second fifth-round pick, No. 179 overall, on North Carolina running back T.J. Logan.

Logan, after all, posted the fastest 40-yard dash time at the Combine for a running back at 4.37 seconds, and the sixth-fastest time of all players.

“T.J. Logan was a guy that we had focused, and Coach and I had talked about, since the Combine,” Cardinals GM Steve Keim said. “Not only did his foot speed and his explosiveness excite us, but the things that he can do in our offense — where we ask our backs out of the backfield to catch the football — when you watch tape of T.J., he really jumps out at you with the flare routes and some of the different things he does in space.”

A 5-foot-9, 196-pound back, the initial comparison for Logan in Arizona is Andre Ellington.

“His explosiveness — been looking for back who can do some of the things that David (Johnson) does,” Arians said. “He’s more of an Andre Ellington than David, (but) moving Andre out to wideout will give him a chance to be, obviously, the kick returner, and that back who is explosive.”

So, maybe, an even faster LaRod Stephens-Howling.

“I pride myself on being able to run by guys,” Logan said. “I feel like if he’s not as fast as me, I’ll try and leave him in the dust. That’s the big thing.”

Last year, as a senior, Logan he ran for 675 yards and seven touchdowns on 120 carries while adding 244 yards and three scores on 29 catches. He also averaged 33 yards on 21 kick returns, two of which he took back for touchdowns.

In four seasons with the Tar Heels, he amassed 2,165 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground, 663 yards and four touchdowns through the air and five total return scores.

With the Cardinals, he is likely to see most of his action on special teams, though he sees himself as more than just a specialist.

“I feel like if I’m out there on the field I can make guys miss, I can make big runs, I can finish runs,” he said. “I’m looking for the home run; I’m not just going to be satisfied with running out of bounds or nothing like that.”

An experienced kick returner, Logan said he has practiced returning punts but never did it in a game because the team already had someone at that spot.

“Kick return was just my thing, it was just something I just had a knack for, so I guess they just kept me there,” he said.

Last season, the Cardinals ranked 16th in the NFL, averaging 21.8 yards on 25 kickoff returns. They were even worse when it came to punts, finishing 30th in the league.

Suffice to say, Logan should have a chance to contribute right away.

“Any way I can help, rather if that’s kick returning, catching punts, being on kickoff team — it doesn’t matter,” Logan said. “I just want to contribute.”

Follow Adam Green on Twitter

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

17 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

21 hours ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Cardinals get their speed in North Carolina RB T.J. Logan