Mekhi Becton's Journey from Struggle to Success in Eagles Training Camp
As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for the upcoming NFL season, one player has stood out for his remarkable transformation during training camp. Mekhi Becton, who began camp struggling in his matchups with defensive end Jalen Carter, has made notable strides, solidifying his position and garnering praise from teammates and coaches alike.
Initially, Becton found himself overmatched by Carter, one of the defense's stalwarts. However, persistence and hard work saw him improving day by day. "It's been fun," Becton remarked about his battles with Carter. "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're working. Iron sharpens iron."
This relentless effort did not go unnoticed. As camp progressed, Becton's performances began to balance out, making him a strong contender for the starting position at right guard for the Eagles. In their preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens, Becton was the only first-team starter on the offense to take the field, signaling the coaching staff's confidence in his abilities.
Despite the pressures of playing right guard in a live game for the first time, Becton showcased his growing skills, playing eight snaps before being replaced by Tyler Steen. Reflecting on his experience, he said, "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."
One of Becton's significant advantages has been the mentorship he received from veteran players like Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson. Jurgens, providing insights into the nuances of the right guard position, said, "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."
This guidance and Becton's own commitment to refining his footwork and hands have been pivotal to his progress. Dickerson also acknowledged Becton's swift adjustment, commenting, "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."
With Becton's continuous improvement, the Eagles' offensive line looks to be in good shape for the season. His adaptability and relentless focus on mastering the right guard role could be crucial for the team's success. "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," praised Dickerson.
As the Eagles prepare for Week 1, Becton's progress remains a bright spot, demonstrating that dedication and hard work can pay off even in the face of early challenges. Summing up his approach, Becton 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."
The upcoming season promises to be an exciting one for the Eagles, with Mekhi Becton playing a key role in the offensive line's dynamics. His journey from early struggles to becoming a frontrunner for the starting right guard position exemplifies resilience and the importance of teamwork, setting a positive tone for the team's aspirations.