Mekhi Becton's Development Shines in Eagles Training Camp
The Philadelphia Eagles' training camp has seen its share of intriguing storylines, but perhaps none more compelling than the journey of Mekhi Becton. Initially struggling in his matchups against the formidable Jalen Carter, Becton has shown remarkable progression over the course of training camp, transitioning from a shaky start to becoming a serious contender for the starting right guard position.
The training camp began with Becton grappling to find his footing. The powerful matchups with Carter highlighted areas for improvement, but instead of faltering, Becton embraced the challenge. "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,” Becton said of his early struggles and subsequent improvements. “I'm starting to get his number. We're starting to get each other's numbers. We working. Iron sharpens iron."
This progression has not gone unnoticed by his teammates and coaches. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland has been a pivotal figure in Becton's development, routinely reviewing game film with him to fine-tune his performance. "There's always room for improvement on anything," Becton acknowledged. "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 and figure out what we need to do. We'll come together and combine it."
Indeed, Becton's debut at right guard during the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens was an important milestone. In the game, he was the sole first-team starter on the offense to take the field, playing eight snaps before yielding to Tyler Steen. This outing was Becton's first experience in the right guard role during a live game, further solidifying his understanding and comfort in the position.
Veteran advice has also been crucial to Becton’s adjustment to his new role. Cam Jurgens has been particularly helpful, offering insights into the subtleties of playing right guard. "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."
Landon Dickerson, another experienced lineman, praised Becton’s seamless adaptation 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." Dickerson continued to commend Becton, adding, "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."
Becton’s focus on his footwork and hand techniques has been instrumental in his development. "It's still O-line at the end of the day. I still gotta get my hands. I still gotta do my footwork,” Becton commented. “It's just all about attacking my footwork and I did attack it."
As the Eagles gear up for Week 1 of the season, Becton’s rapid improvement and adaptability have not only made him the frontrunner for the starting right guard position but also a vital component of the offensive line. His journey, marked by early struggles and significant effort, demonstrates the resilience and dedication necessary to succeed at the highest level of professional football. With the ongoing support of his coaches and teammates, Mekhi Becton is poised to play a pivotal role in the Eagles' offensive unit this upcoming season.