Mekhi Becton's Evolution at Right Guard: A Training Camp Chronicle
Arriving at the Eagles' training camp, Mekhi Becton encountered an early challenge: struggling against the formidable Jalen Carter. Those initial encounters painted a picture of stark difficulty. However, Becton, with characteristic resolve, turned the tides over the ensuing weeks.
"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 others' numbers. We working. Iron sharpens iron," Becton shared, highlighting the competitive spirit underpinning his progress.
His evolving prowess did not go unnoticed. As training camp advanced, Becton's improvements were palpable, steadily leveling his matchups with Carter. This growth positioned him as the frontrunner for the vital starting spot at right guard as the Eagles geared up for Week 1.
Becton's test under live-game conditions came in the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens. In a notable move, he was the lone first-team starter from the offense to suit up. Across his eight snaps, Becton showcased his nascent right guard skills before passing the baton to Tyler Steen.
"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 [offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland] and figure out what we need to do. We'll come together and combine it," Becton reflected, indicating a meticulous approach to refining his game.
Integral to Becton's smooth adaptation has been the guidance of his peers. Cam Jurgens offered insights on the nuances of the position, emphasizing the varied techniques of defensive linemen versus how offensive footwork must adjust.
"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," Jurgens elucidated.
Landon Dickerson also weighed in on Becton's transition: "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."
Such endorsements underscore Becton's seamless fit into a pivotal role, with Dickerson further praising, "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 himself remains laser-focused on mastering the art of right guard play. Daily drills target key fundamentals—footwork and hand techniques—that form the bedrock of his position. "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 noted with determination.
Amid this backdrop of enhancement and adaptation, the Eagles look toward the forthcoming season with a fortified offensive line, buoyed by Becton's dedication and proven capabilities. Ensuring he can sustain and elevate his performance further will undoubtedly be crucial for the team's aspirations.