Philadelphia Eagles' Mekhi Becton Shines in Training Camp and Preseason Opener
In the intense environment of the Philadelphia Eagles' training camp, Mekhi Becton has emerged as a beacon of progress and determination. The early days for Becton were challenging, especially facing off against the relentless Jalen Carter. But as the camp progressed, so did Becton. Consistently, he began to match Carter, showcasing a marked improvement in his play and gaining valuable insights from each encounter.
"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." Becton reflected on his evolving dynamic with Carter. "Iron sharpens iron."
Becton's upward trajectory in camp did not go unnoticed, quickly placing him as the leading contender for the Eagles' starting right guard position as the regular season looms. His preseason debut against the Baltimore Ravens further cemented this notion. While other first-team starters stayed off the field, Becton took the spotlight, the lone starter to participate. He played eight impactful snaps before Tyler Steen replaced him, marking his first live game appearance at right guard.
"There's always room for improvement on anything," Becton stated. He emphasized the importance of film study with Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, noting, "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."
Transitioning to a new position in professional football is no small feat. Advice from teammates like Cam Jurgens has been invaluable for Becton. Jurgens shared insights on the positional intricacies, saying, "A lot of it's talking about angles and where I want him to be and just how different every D-lineman plays."
Fellow lineman Landon Dickerson also lauded Becton's adaptability and growth. "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 said, further 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."
The combined feedback from his peers and coaching staff underscores Becton's relentless focus on mastering his role. His commitment to honing his footwork and hand techniques has been evident. "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 said.
As the Eagles continue to refine their squad in preparation for Week 1, Becton's development remains crucial. His capability to transition smoothly into the right guard position not only bolsters the offensive line but also sets a promising tone for the season ahead. The combination of his physical attributes and rapidly growing technical proficiency positions Becton as a key player to watch, promising exciting prospects for the Eagles' offensive strategy.
The journey from struggling in early matchups to becoming a front-runner on the depth chart speaks volumes about Becton's resilience and adaptability. With continued support from teammates and strategic guidance from the coaching staff, he stands poised to make a significant impact once the regular season kicks off.