Becton's Swift Rise: From Struggles to Starting Frontrunner
As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for the season opener, one name has increasingly been penciled into lineup discussions: Mekhi Becton. Initially facing significant challenges in training camp, particularly in his matchups against Jalen Carter, Becton’s trajectory has taken a turn for the better.
Becton’s early difficulties against Carter, a formidable force in his own right, seemed to set an uphill task. Yet, Becton proved resilient, showcasing notable improvement as days turned into weeks. The once one-sided battles gradually transformed into more evenly matched contests, a testament to Becton's work ethic and adaptability.
"It's been fun. We had a little back and forth today," Becton remarked, reflecting on his training camp progression. "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."
Evidence of Becton’s evolution was clear during the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Becton was the only first-team starter on the offense to take the field, logging eight critical snaps before yielding to Tyler Steen. This marked Becton's inaugural live game experience at the right guard position, an essential step in solidifying his role on the team.
"This was the first time I ever played right guard in a live game," Becton noted. "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."
The ongoing collaboration with Coach Stoutland has clearly been instrumental. Becton has emphasized reviewing game film, gaining invaluable insights that translate to rapid on-field improvement. Additionally, the counsel of teammates like Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson has been indispensable.
"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 shared, outlining his guidance to Becton.
Dickerson added his own observations on Becton's development, highlighting the physical attributes that have facilitated Becton's swift adjustment. "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 said.
This confluence of coaching, peer support, and individual dedication has propelled Becton into the frontrunner position for the Eagles' starting right guard spot as Week 1 approaches. His focus on fundamental aspects, particularly footwork and hand placement, has not gone unnoticed by those monitoring his progress closely.
"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, underlining the core elements he continues to refine.
The praise from teammates and coaches paints a picture of a player on a mission, tackling every challenge head-on and capitalizing on every learning opportunity. Landon Dickerson succinctly captured the collective sentiment, saying, "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."
With the season opener on the horizon, Becton's ongoing improvement and adaptability will be crucial for the Eagles' offensive line. The rapid strides he has made since the start of training camp not only bolster his own prospects but also contribute significantly to the team's overall readiness and depth.