Is Mekhi Becton Running Away With The Right Guard Job?
Tyler Steen went into camp the favorite to win the RG job. They drafted him in the 2023 draft with the intent of him eventually playing there. But now a…
DENVER, COLORADO – OCTOBER 08: Mekhi Becton #77 of the New York Jets celebrates after beating the Denver Broncos 31-21 at Empower Field At Mile High on October 08, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)Tyler Steen went into camp the favorite to win the RG job. They drafted him in the 2023 draft with the intent of him eventually playing there. But now a few weeks into camp, his grip on that job might have already slipped. Mekhi Becton has been pushing for the job, and based on what we are hearing out of camp, he might be running away with it.
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)Mekhi Becton Outperforming Tyler Steen?
Barrett Brooks joined The Best Show Ever this week and talked about what he has seen from the battle between Steen and Becton. According to him, Becton has been much better.
"I've seen the best production out of Mekhi Becton. He has played better than Steen in the practices I have seen. He has a stronger core. Guard is not like Tackle. Tackles you back up a bit, get some time, and then you fight. At guard you have to fight right then and there because the guy is right over top of you, and it is the shortest path to the QB."
Brooks went on the explain that he has seen Steen be overpowered a few too many times inside, something that we also saw a bit in his limited chances last season. But he has seen Becton hold up really well in that role.
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Becton may not have yet lived up to the hype of where he was drafted. But no one can argue with his size and strength. He was drafted 11th overall for a reason. The guy has a pedigree. He was supposed to be an elite Tackle in this league. It did not work out that way with the Jets. But the talent is still there. And the Eagles have the best guy in the NFL, Jeff Stoutland, to unlock Becton's potential.
Brooks is not the only person with high praise of Becton though. Nearly everyone at Eagles Camp has said the same thing. Right now, Becton looks better. Lane Johnson also had some very high praise for Becton.
"He is all in. For him it is all about being comfortable... He definitly has come a long way since Spring. I have been impressed with him."
And at the start of training camp Dave Zangaro talked to The Best Show Ever, and predicted this would happen.
"The one guy who is really intriguing is Mekhi Becton... if you're trying to get your 5 best out there, he might have a claim to be one of your 5 best players... If Steen comes out and struggles early in camp, it will be in the back of my mind. Ultimately I think it will be Steen, but that is something I would watch early in camp."
I wouldn't say Steen has struggled. We have not heard many people saying he has been terrible. But it is quite clear the majority of people think Becton has played better so far. We will see if that carries into games. Maybe once they get on the field Steen looks much better. But from what we have seen so far, Becton might be running away with the job.
Listen To Or Watch 'The Best Show Ever?' Live On The 97.5 The Fanatic And On NBC Sports Philly From 2 To 6 p.m. every Weekday
Happy holiday! The NFL schedule has been released. We have known for a while now who the Eagles would be playing in the 2024 season, but now we know the dates and times. We now can determine which spots are good, which spots are bad, and of course the dreaded trap games. Whether you are like my partner John Kincade and think that doing wins and losses is “lazy radio”, there isn’t a single sports fan who doesn’t do it on their own time.
After you make your prediction, you will text your friends and family to make sure it is on the record. You will call your favorite radio show and utter the words “you heard it hear first.” We will also find out some important answers:
Who will be the member of the Fanatic who has the Eagles winning 14 games? Who will be the first caller who predicts a perfect season including a Super Bowl win? Who will be the “Negadelphian” who has the Eagles finishing below 500?
(Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
What The Eagles Schedule Release Means For Us
The schedule release isn’t just about determining the record of your favorite team, it is also a chance to start planning road trips, tailgates, or the big family get-together.
Will that family get-together be for a divisional rival? Or will it be for some of the nationally anticipated games between two potential Super Bowl opponents? Either way, the schedule release gives us a ton to be excited about.
This bit of content is not about wins and losses, this is about my own personal likes and dislikes of the Eagles schedule. I will tell you about the games I am most excited for, and the games I am least excited about.
Some games will be rated highly on my list for the quarterback battle, whereas some games may be low on the list because of the opponent or the field of play... Let me know what you think!
Here Are The Best And Worst Games On The Eagles Schedule:
1 - Week 17 Vs Cowboys
I stated on Kincade and Salciunas last week that the Eagles would win the NFC East comfortability. That means by at least 2 games which is not something we are used to in this wild division. For that to happen, they have to take care of business against the Cowboys. I think this game will solidify the Eagles as division champs. Added bonus for it being at home.
2 – Week 13 @ Ravens
Like I said, this is personal. I have a TON of family in Balitmore. There is also a big Lithuanian community in Baltimore. I need Philly to win this one. It is also a great quarterback battle and a late season matchup between two great teams which helps put this so high on the list.
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)3 – Week 8 @ Bengals
Eagles vs Bengals was my Super Bowl pick for last season. It won’t be my pick this year, but I do think the Bengals bounce back in 2024. Between the quarterback battle and my prediction that didn’t come to fruition last year, this was a game I was excited for when the opponents first came out.
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)4 – Week 1 Vs Packers
This game would be higher if it was at The Linc. It would also be lower if it wasn’t week 1. There is nothing like the first game of the season on the national stage. I want the Eagles to win every game, but especially this one. Midday Show producer Ray Dunne is the conductor of “The Love Train”. I need the Eagles to show the world early that the Packers cute little playoff run isn’t the sign of the future in the NFC.
5 – Week 12 @ Rams
I am excited for this game because it will be a major test for the new look Eagles secondary. Between Cooper Kupp and Puca Nacua, we will find out a lot if this secondary is ready for the eventual Super Bowl expectations. Darius Slay will be on one side, but so will rookie Quinyon Mitchell. And against the Rams, potential slot corner Cooper Dejean will have a lot on his plate. Extra points for Sunday Night Football.
6 – Week 15 Vs Steelers
I have more road games in the top 5 than I do home games, this one is always a fun one no matter where the game is played. Philly or Pittsburgh, the cross-state rivalry is something that always brings a little extra to games like this between two out of conference opponents. Eagles fans make the drive to Pittsburgh, and Steelers fans make the drive to Philadelphia. And oh by the way, for all you morons who wanted Russell Wilson (It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me), we will get to see Jalen Hurts go up against him.
7 – Week 10 @ Cowboys
Not that one game against the Cowboys is necessarily more important than the other, but the end-of-the-season matchup with Dallas seems to always mean more. Points loss for it being “Americas Game of the Week” which means Tom Brady.
8 – Week 4 @ Buccaneers
Most times a playoff rematch would be higher on the list, but last year sucked. Last year didn’t even feel like a playoff game. I will put money down now on the Eagles winning no matter what the spread is. It won’t be like last year. Why 8th then? Have fun making the trip Philly. I know you are going to have a blast.
9 – Week 9 Vs Jaguars
Dougie P in Philadelphia! Really the only thing I am looking forward to. Unless Trevor Lawrence turns things around and stops playing like a major disappointment, there isn’t much juice to this game for me.
10 – Week 18 Vs Giants
I can always use a laugh. The Giants usually provide that for me unless the Eagles find a way to crush my heart like they did at the end of last season. There is nothing like a beatdown of the Giants at the Linc. Also, because it is the final game of the regular season this could either mean something for division/conference standings, or a nice relaxing Sunday afternoon.
11 – Week 2 Vs Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are one of the dumbest franchises in sports. Everything they do confuses me. Drafting Kyle Pitts instead of a quarterback. Drafting Bijan Robinson (and barely using him) when they had so many other areas to fill. Finally drafting a quarterback after they just signed Kirk Cousins to a 3-year deal. They offend my football intelligence. But hey, I’ll take a win at home.
12 – Week 6 Vs Browns
Cleveland was a fun story last year... with Joe Flacco. They are back to that quarterback they gave a ton of guaranteed money to despite what he did off the field. Oh by the way, he hasn’t been anywhere close to the quarterback he was in Houston. At least the game is at home where I am sure Eagles fans will make Deshaun Watson feel comfortable... go get him Birds fans
13 – Week 3 @ Saints
This is such a sleepy game. This isn’t the New Orleans Saints of 2017 where a rivalry had started very similar to the one against the 49ers following the 2022 season. You know, the one where they made ridiculous statements but couldn’t back it up because they lost? Yeah, that rivalry. Now the Saints regretfully have Derek Carr and a team in cap hell. This shouldn’t be a fun game, but if you are heading to New Orleans, have the time of your life.
14 – Week 14 Vs Panthers
They stink. That is all I have to say.
15 – Week 11 Vs Commanders
Notice I haven’t had the Commanders on here once yet, and they play each other twice. No one in their life has said “I can’t wait for the Eagles to play the Commanders.” You know why? Because the Eagles should win every time... but sometimes they don’t and we lose our minds, and even in the games they win, they are NEVER pretty. I dread the Commander's games.
16 – Week 16 @ Commanders
Why is this one lower than the other matchup? Because it is being played in that toilet bowl of a stadium. Literally. Sewage has been seen falling from parts of the stadium. Looking forward to the day Josh Harris comes through and builds a new stadium just for Eagles fans to take over again.
17 – Week 7 @ Giants
This one is self-explanatory. MetLife Stadium is Satan's favorite NFL stadium. It is a ticking time bomb for injuries. We saw last season, in one half, the Eagles lost both A.J and Sydney Brown for the remainder of the season. No other stadium has fans saying, “Just please get out of there healthy.” This game will always be at the bottom of my list.
