Mekhi Becton's Journey at Eagles Training Camp
When Mekhi Becton stepped onto the training camp field with the Philadelphia Eagles, his initial matchups with Jalen Carter were an uphill battle. Facing off against Carter's formidable skills proved challenging, but as the weeks progressed, Becton's perseverance began to shine through.
The former first-round pick demonstrated significant improvement, using each session to refine his technique and strategy. The shift wasn't immediate, but it was evident. By the later stages of camp, Becton managed to balance the scales, engaging in more even matchups with Carter. "It's been fun," Becton remarked. "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."
A New Role at Right Guard
Becton's progress positioned him as the frontrunner for the starting right guard spot as the Eagles prepared for Week 1. This role was further solidified during the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens, where Becton was the sole first-team offensive starter to take the field. In this game, he played eight snaps before making way for Tyler Steen, marking his debut at right guard in a live game setting.
Reflecting on his performance, Becton emphasized the importance of learning and growth. "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."
Guidance and Support from Teammates
Transitioning to a new position is never without its challenges, but Becton was not alone in his journey. He received valuable advice from his peers, including Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson. Jurgens discussed the nuances of playing right guard, focusing on angles and footwork. "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."
Dickerson also praised Becton's rapid adjustment to the role, highlighting his physical attributes as key assets. "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."
Becton's hard work didn't go unnoticed. "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," Dickerson added.
Mastering the Craft
Integral to Becton's improvement has been his dedication to mastering his footwork and hand techniques. As he succinctly put it, "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."
Looking towards the upcoming season, Becton's adaptability and improvement will be crucial for the Eagles' offensive line. His journey from an initial struggle to becoming a key player speaks volumes about his character and determination.
Becton's story is far from over, but his preseason performance has laid a solid foundation for what promises to be an exciting season for him and the Eagles.