Mekhi Becton's Transition to Right Guard Impresses Eagles Coaching Staff
Mekhi Becton's journey through training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles has been one of resilience, adaptation, and significant growth. Originally struggling in his matchups with Jalen Carter, Becton began to make noticeable strides as the camp continued, eventually balancing his on-field battles with the formidable defensive opponent.
As Becton acclimated to the demands of playing right guard, his improvement did not go unnoticed. This progression has positioned him as the frontrunner for the starting right guard spot for the Eagles, a notable achievement as they gear up for Week 1 of the season.
Becton's preseason debut at right guard came in the opener against the Baltimore Ravens, where he was the only first-team offensive starter to see action. He played eight snaps before making way for Tyler Steen. Reflecting on his performance, Becton 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."
The preseason game offered Becton his first real-time experience as a right guard, a position he has never played in live action before. His immersion into this new role has been bolstered by insights and guidance from teammates and coaches alike. Cam Jurgens has shared his expertise on the nuances of the right guard position, discussing crucial details such as angles and footwork. "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.
Furthermore, Landon Dickerson has noted Becton's swift adjustment and praised his natural attributes that suit the right guard 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," said Dickerson. "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," he added.
Becton himself emphasizes the fundamentals: "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." His dedication to mastering these basic yet critical aspects of his new position underscores his commitment to contributing effectively to the Eagles' offensive line.
Through this period of adaptation and growth, Becton has also underscored the importance of meticulous preparation and review. By working closely with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland and absorbing advice from seasoned teammates, he has steadily refined his technique and on-field awareness.
Becton's development is a testament to the power of rigorous training, valuable mentorship, and personal determination. As he continues to enhance his proficiency at right guard, the outlook for the Eagles' offensive line appears increasingly promising, with Becton poised to play a pivotal role in the upcoming season.