Mekhi Becton has embarked on a transformative journey during the Philadelphia Eagles’ training camp, showcasing a blend of struggle, adaptation, and significant progress. Initially, the camp was a battlefield for Becton, who grappled with formidable matchups against Jalen Carter. However, as the camp unfolded, Becton demonstrated a noticeable improvement, managing to balance his showdowns with Carter more effectively.
This upward trajectory in his performance has placed Becton as the leading candidate for the starting right guard position as the Eagles gear up for Week 1 of the season. His readiness was on full display during the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Interestingly, Becton was the only first-team starter on offense to take the field, logging eight snaps before being replaced by Tyler Steen. The game marked Becton’s first live action at right guard, a position switch he has approached with zeal and determination.
Becton's Dedication to Improvement
Becton’s commitment to mastering his new role is evident. Reflecting on his performance against the Ravens, he stated, "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."
His dedication to film study, alongside Coach Stoutland, underscores the importance Becton places on continuous improvement and adaptability. Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson, his teammates, have also played vital roles in his development. Jurgens has been instrumental in advising Becton on the intricacies of the right guard 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.
Teammates' Acknowledgment
Dickerson, meanwhile, has lauded Becton’s physical attributes and swift adaptation. "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," Dickerson noted. He further commended Becton’s consistent effort and commitment to improvement, stating, "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."
Iron Sharpens Iron
Becton himself acknowledges the reciprocal nature of his matchups with Carter, each pushing the other to higher performance levels. "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're working. Iron sharpens iron," Becton expressed, illustrating the competitiveness and camaraderie that drive both players.
At the core of Becton’s adjustment to the right guard position lies his focus on fundamental techniques. "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," he emphasized, pinpointing the crucial aspects he’s concentrating on to excel in his new role.
The Eagles' upcoming season seems poised on the edge of potential, significantly influenced by Becton's adaptability and rigorous work ethic. His journey through the training camp, underlined by critical improvements and boosted by relentless teamwork, paints a promising picture for the Eagles' offensive line. Each step Becton takes in mastering the right guard position not only strengthens his skillset but also fortifies the backbone of the Eagles’ offensive front.