As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for the start of the NFL season, all eyes are on Mekhi Becton, who has emerged as a standout player in training camp. Despite a rocky beginning, Becton's progress has been nothing short of remarkable, showing significant improvement in his matchups and solidifying his position as a frontrunner for the starting role at right guard.
A Rocky Start Turns Into Progress
Initially, Becton struggled in his training camp matchups with Jalen Carter, but perseverance and hard work have seen him turn the corner. "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 other's numbers. We working. Iron sharpens iron," Becton noted.
Noteworthy Improvement
Becton's progress became evident as training camp moved forward. His ability to balance his matchups with Carter has been a testament to his dedication and adaptability. His transition has not gone unnoticed, especially considering this is his first time playing right guard in a live game setting.
Preseason Debut
In the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens, Becton was the only first-team starter on the offense to take the field, playing eight snaps before making way for Tyler Steen. This game marked a significant milestone for Becton. "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," Becton shared.
Support from Teammates
Veteran players like Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson have been crucial in Becton's transition. Both have offered valuable advice and acknowledged Becton's quick adaptation to the right guard position. Jurgens, for instance, has discussed the importance of angles and varying defensive techniques with Becton. "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," Jurgens explained.
Praise from Landon Dickerson
Dickerson has also been vocal about Becton's improvements. "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 remarked. He further added, "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 on Fundamentals
Becton's focus has been on mastering the basics, concentrating on his footwork and hand technique. "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 explained. This dedication to the fundamentals has played a key role in his improvement and adaptability.
As the Eagles prepare for Week 1 of the season, Becton's ongoing success and adaptability are seen as critical for the team's offensive line. With the support of his coaches and teammates, and a relentless focus on improvement, Mekhi Becton is poised to make a significant impact on the Eagles' season.