The journey of Mekhi Becton through the Eagles training camp has been a testament to resilience and adaptability. After beginning training camp struggling in matchups with Jalen Carter, Becton has demonstrated significant progress, incrementally improving his performance and sharpening his skills day by day.
Becton initially found himself outmatched by Carter, but as the days turned into weeks, the offensive lineman managed to balance these matchups more evenly. "It's been fun. We had a little back and forth today. We went against each other and you know I'm starting to catch up to him. I'm starting to get his number. We're starting to get each others' numbers. We working. Iron sharpens iron," Becton shared, conveying his evolving confidence.
A Leading Contender for Right Guard
As the Eagles prepare for the season opener, Becton has emerged as the frontrunner for the starting position at right guard. His performance in the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens further underscored this potential. In a game where he was the only first-team starter on the field, Becton played eight snaps before making way for Tyler Steen. This game marked a significant milestone as it was Becton's first time playing right guard in a live game.
"There's always room for improvement on anything. This was the first time I ever played right guard in a live game. Of course, I'm gonna look at the film with Stout [Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland] and figure out what we need to do. We'll come together and combine it," said Becton, emphasizing his commitment to continuous improvement through detailed review and collaboration with coaching staff.
Support from Teammates
Becton’s transition to right guard has been bolstered by the support and advice of his teammates. Cam Jurgens has been a pivotal figure, offering insight into the nuances of the position. "A lot of it's talking about angles and where I want him to be and just how different every D-lineman plays. You're going to have two gappers, penetrators, different guys play different techniques, so figuring out how the footwork changes from each defensive guy and where that linebacker is and if we have certain motions where it may change our footwork," Jurgens explained.
Landon Dickerson, another influential teammate, acknowledged Becton's swift adjustment. "A little bit of an adjustment for him, but the way he's built, the way he can move with his long arms, his reach, his lateral quickness, I think right now he's really excelling at that position. And it is an adjustment, but he's handling it extremely well," he noted.
The praise from his fellow linemen highlights not only Becton’s physical attributes but also his ability to adapt and thrive in a new role. "For him to make that transition and come inside, and the way he's been able to succeed in doing well in practice, and come out here every day and keep getting better, is impressive," added Dickerson.
Mastering the Right Guard Role
Central to Becton's progress has been his focus on the fundamentals of the position. "It's still O-line at the end of the day. I still gotta get my hands. I still gotta do my footwork. It's just all about attacking my footwork and I did attack it," Becton explained. This meticulous attention to detail reflects his determination to perfect his craft, ensuring he can meet the demands of his new role.
The development of Becton at right guard holds significant promise for the Eagles’ offensive line as they head into the season. His improvement and adaptability are crucial elements that will play a vital part in the effectiveness and cohesion of the line.
Becton's journey from initial struggles to becoming a key contender for the starting right guard spot underscores the importance of perseverance, the value of teamwork, and the impact of dedicated coaching. As the Eagles move forward, Becton’s evolving skill set and relentless pursuit of excellence provide a solid foundation for what promises to be an exciting season.