The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line has been focusing on adaptability and improvement this preseason, with standout progress coming from Mekhi Becton. Initially struggling in training camp matchups with Jalen Carter, Becton has since showcased significant improvement, his growth calibrating him as the frontrunner for the starting right guard position as the team gears up for Week 1.
Mekhi Becton arrived at training camp facing difficulty against Jalen Carter. Yet, as camp progressed, Becton began leveling the playing field. "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 remarked, reflecting on his growing confidence and skill.
The preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens marked a critical milestone for Becton. As the only first-team starter on the offense to take the field, he played right guard in a live game for the first time. Becton managed eight snaps before Tyler Steen took over, signaling a cautious yet promising start. "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," said Becton, emphasizing the importance of reviewing game film for continuous improvement.
Becton's transition to right guard has been bolstered by advice from teammates and coaches. Cam Jurgens, a seasoned player, has been instrumental in assisting Becton with the nuances of the position. "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 explained.
Further praise came from Landon Dickerson, who acknowledged Becton's swift adaptation. "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," noted Dickerson.
Becton himself has emphasized focusing on fundamental aspects like footwork and hand placement to master his new role. "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 shared, underlining his dedication to continuous improvement.
As the Eagles look forward to the regular season, Becton's burgeoning skills at right guard offer a beacon of promising performance. The combination of hard work, strategic coaching, and supportive teammates has been key to his development. "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 lauded, encapsulating the collective optimism surrounding Mekhi Becton's progress.
With his adaptability and steadfast improvement, Becton is poised to be a significant asset to the Eagles' offensive line, his journey marked by resilience and an unwavering drive to excel.