Mekhi Becton's Rise in Eagles Training Camp
When Mekhi Becton began training camp with the Eagles, there were many who questioned how swiftly the big man would adapt, particularly in matchups against the formidable Jalen Carter. Initially, Becton had his struggles, but as camp progressed, so did Becton’s performance. The young lineman showcased significant improvement, slowly beginning to balance his matchups with Carter more evenly.
As training camp neared its conclusion, Becton was no longer viewed as merely a participant trying to find his place. Instead, he emerged as the frontrunner for the starting position at right guard for the Eagles as they geared up for Week 1 of the season. His efforts were underscored in the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens, where Becton was the lone first-team starter to take the field on offense. During this game, Becton played a total of eight snaps before making way for Tyler Steen, marking his first time playing right guard in a live game setting.
Reflecting on his performance, Becton emphasized the value of reviewing game film with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. "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 going to 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," Becton said.
Support from veteran teammates also played a crucial role in Becton’s adaptation. Cam Jurgens has been instrumental in providing advice on the nuances 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.
Landon Dickerson also acknowledged Becton's rapid adjustment to the position. "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," praised Dickerson. He continued, "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."
For Becton, much of his focus has been on mastering the technical aspects of his new role. "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 shared, encapsulating his dedication to refining his craft.
Becton's journey through the training camp and into preseason games has highlighted not only his physical capabilities but also his mental resilience and adaptability. His continuous improvement bodes well for the Eagles' offensive line, which will rely heavily on his performance in the upcoming season. Each step forward for Becton has been a testament to the 'iron sharpens iron' philosophy he shares with his teammates. "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 said, reflecting on his ongoing battles with Jalen Carter.
As the regular season looms on the horizon, Becton's emergence and promising development at right guard position him as a key player to watch in the Eagles’ offensive lineup. His quick adjustment and improvement are not only indicative of his abilities but also the strong support system within the Eagles organization, from coaches like Jeff Stoutland to experienced teammates like Jurgens and Dickerson.
The narrative surrounding Becton is no longer one of uncertainty but of potential and readiness. His daily commitment to enhancement portends a solid season ahead, fortifying the Eagles' offensive line and buttressing the team’s potential success.