As training camp unfolded for the Philadelphia Eagles, Mekhi Becton faced early challenges, particularly in his matchups against defensive lineman Jalen Carter. Initially struggling, Becton demonstrated remarkable improvement, balancing his showdowns with Carter more evenly as time progressed. His upward trajectory has positioned him as a frontrunner for the starting right guard spot as the Eagles gear up for Week 1 of the season.
The preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens marked a significant milestone for Becton. He was the sole first-team offensive starter to hit the field, playing eight snaps before giving way to Tyler Steen. It was Becton's inaugural experience at right guard in a live game setting, an adjustment that he approached with a blend of diligence and adaptability.
Training and Insights
Critical to Becton’s evolution has been the detailed examination of game film alongside offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. "There's always room for improvement on anything," Becton remarked. "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."
Support from teammates has also been invaluable. Cam Jurgens, who provided insights into the subtleties of the right guard position, emphasized the importance of understanding angles and the variability in defensive linemen's techniques. "A lot of it's talking about angles and where I want him to be and just how different every D-lineman plays," Jurgens explained. "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."
Teammates' Praise
Landon Dickerson shared his observations on Becton's adaptation to the right guard role. "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," Dickerson noted. "And it is an adjustment, but he's handling it extremely well."
Dickerson further lauded Becton’s daily progress and sustained effort. "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."
Focus and Determination
Becton’s commitment to refining his technical skills has been at the core of his development. Emphasizing the basics, he stated, "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."
Reflecting on his growth throughout the training camp, Becton conveyed a sense of satisfaction and readiness. "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."
With the regular season on the horizon, Becton's journey from initial struggles to potential starter at right guard stands as a testament to his resilience and adaptability. His ongoing improvement will be crucial for the Eagles’ offensive line, and if his preseason performance is any indication, Becton is ready to embrace the challenge.