Eagles' Mekhi Becton reacts to cross-training at new position
The Philadelphia Eagles want to take full advantage of their new 6-foot-7, 364-pound offensive lineman, Mekhi Becton. And that's why they're cross-training him at multiple positions. Not only is Becton taking reps with the left and right offensive tackles, but he's also getting looks at guard, a position he's never played before. "It's been fun," […]
The Philadelphia Eagles want to take full advantage of their new 6-foot-7, 364-pound offensive lineman, Mekhi Becton.
And that's why they're cross-training him at multiple positions.
Not only is Becton taking reps with the left and right offensive tackles, but he's also getting looks at guard, a position he's never played before.
"It's been fun," Becton said during Thursday's mandatory minicamp. "It's definitely a different adjustment to me. I've never played it before but it's fun. You know the action is more right then and there than tackle. Tackle they get the chance to build their speed up and stuff, but guard it's all hand work and you've got to be ready to fight right then and there."
Sometimes veterans can be opposed to switching positions after already being in the league, but not Becton. However, it helps that Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, or "Stoutland U," has made the transition much easier.
"I'm always the type to be open to whatever," Becton said. "And then when you've got a coach like coach Stoutland and the way he treats his players … you're going to do whatever for him. Once he came up to me for the opportunity, I was all open for it. I like to try new things anyway."
It also helps to have Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata in the room, two players Becton said that he has looked up to.
They've only practiced a few times together, but Mailata has been impressed with what he's seen from Becton, so far.
"Mekhi has done a great job of just saying yes," Mailata said (h/t CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr). "He hasn't questioned him [Stoutland]. He's never said I've never done it. He in fact embraced the opportunity to learn how to play guard. When I see things like that from Mekhi it just makes me want to play next to him, if his number was called. You want guys who are just going to be willing and able to put the team first before their own needs.
"I think Mekhi does a great job of doing that, even though he has no experience. He's just out here learning, he's growing, and he's chipping away every day trying to get better at guard."
For the most part, the Eagles already have their starting five figured out, though Stoutland did say "until" someone else emerges.
And that could very well be Becton.
