Mekhi Becton's Journey from Struggles to Success at Eagles’ Training Camp
From a rocky start to emerging as a strong contender for the starting position, Mekhi Becton's journey through the Philadelphia Eagles’ training camp has been a tale of determination, adjustment, and remarkable improvement. Initially struggling against Jalen Carter, Becton has steadily refined his skills, gaining confidence and respect from teammates and coaches alike.
A Promising Start
Becton began training camp facing significant challenges, particularly in his matchups with Jalen Carter. Despite being overwhelmed initially, he demonstrated resilience. "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 said, reflecting on his progress.
His perseverance paid off as he began balancing his matchups with Carter more evenly over time. This notable improvement didn't go unnoticed, as he soon emerged as the frontrunner for the starting position at right guard with the Eagles gearing up for Week 1 of the season.
First Live Game at Right Guard
Becton's hard work culminated in his participation in the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens. He was the lone first-team starter on offense to take the field, logging eight snaps before Tyler Steen took over. This game marked Becton's debut at right guard in a live game scenario. "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," Becton expressed, illustrating his commitment to growth and perfection.
Mentorship and Advice
Cam Jurgens has been instrumental in Becton's transition, providing advice on the nuances of the right guard position. Jurgens shed light on the intricacies involved: "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."
Landon Dickerson also praised Becton's rapid adjustment and highlighted his physical attributes that make him an excellent fit for the position. "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's comments emphasize the impressive strides Becton has made in a short period.
Continuing his thoughts, Dickerson noted, "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 rapid adaptation can be attributed to his focused efforts on mastering the basics. "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, underscoring the importance of fundamentals in his development.
His ongoing success is critical for the Eagles' offensive line as they prepare for the upcoming season. With both teammates and coaches vocal about their confidence in his abilities, Becton is poised to play a pivotal role. The journey from a challenging start to becoming a frontrunner at right guard exemplifies his resilience and commitment to continuous improvement.
Mekhi Becton's story is a testament to hard work, adaptability, and the supportive environment fostered by the Eagles’ coaching staff and teammates. As the regular season approaches, eyes will be on Becton to see how his training camp progress translates onto the field.