Eagles Quinyon Mitchell and Jeremiah Trotter make great NFL debuts against Ravens
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni discusses the quarterback’s play against the Ravens as the rookies shine in a 16-13 win.
PHILADELPHIA – If the competition for the right guard position could be decided by vomiting during practice, Mekhi Becton would be the winner.
He probably won the competition for the right guard position anyway, beating out Tyler Steen. Even if the coaches don’t admit it, it’s clear from the statements of teammates like left guard Landon Dickerson.
The 6-foot-4, 365-pound Becton moves to the guard position after playing tackle since being drafted by the Jets in the first round in 2020.
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Becton signed with the Eagles as a free agent this spring.
“Mekhi is making the transition to guard great,” Dickerson said. “I think he’s finding his feet in his guard seat. It’s 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 he’s really outstanding at that position right now.
“It’s an adjustment, but he’s coping with it very well.”
Becton’s breakfast? Not so much.
It was at least the second time Becton had vomited during practice. But like the first time, Becton said, it didn’t stop him from practicing. 6-foot-8, 350-pound left tackle Jordan Mailata stood next to Becton, saw what was happening, then turned away as he continued down the sideline and yelled, “Oh, man.”
“I’m fine, man. I just puked,” Becton said. “I just drank too much water and ate too close to training. When you eat too close to training and drink that much water, it’s bound to come back up.”
He later admitted that bacon and eggs were the culprits.
As for competition, Becton started playing right guard on the first team when Steen injured his ankle on July 27, the third day of training camp. Steen returned last Monday, but Becton has remained on the first team. Becton started Friday night against the Ravens and played the first series.
Steen replaced him and finished the first half of the Eagles’ 16-13 victory. After the game, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said he wanted Steen to get some work done because he was out.
When the Eagles returned to practice on Sunday, Becton was back on the first unit, meaning he had to face defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
“It was fun,” Becton said. “We battled back and forth a little bit today. We competed against each other and I’m starting to catch up to him. I’m starting to understand his number. We’re starting to understand each other’s numbers. We’re working together. Iron sharpens iron.”
For Steen, the competition is not officially over yet, but even Dickerson knows that Steen has some catching up to do.
“It’s pretty tough when it happens that early in camp,” Dickerson said of Steen’s injury. “When you come into camp, you’re getting used to football again, getting back in shape, learning timing and everything. It can be tough when it happens right at the beginning.”
“I think he’s doing well. He’s getting more team experience, training more and getting back into the swing of things.”
Avonte Maddox saves Quinyon Mitchell on the field and on the bridge
Eagles rookie Quinyon Mitchell said he relied on veteran Avonte Maddox more than anyone else in learning the nickelback game.
Maddox even said Mitchell asks him questions about nickelback “about every 10 minutes,” which Mitchell plays as both cornerback and fullback. Maddox has, of course, played the nickelback position full-time for the past three seasons. But this summer, Maddox is primarily serving as a backup safety.
On Sunday, Maddox said he helps Mitchell not only on the field, but also when he runs out of gas on the Walt Whitman Bridge, as Mitchell did on Sunday morning.
It’s the perfect mentor-mentee relationship, even if it means Maddox ultimately helps Mitchell get his job.
“Funny joke, his car ran out of gas crossing the bridge,” Maddox said. “He called me. I stopped to pick him up. So it doesn’t matter. Whenever he needs me, there’s never a fight between us. On the field, it’s all about competing and me helping him get better because eventually I’m done with football and he’s still going and I want him to be the best he can be.”
As for the gas, Maddox said he brought Mitchell a gallon of gas to the bridge. Then they drove to a gas station to fill up.
Did they show up for meetings on time? Here Maddox showed another experienced move: “We were on time, just before. But I made a few calls beforehand, so everything was fine.”
Observations from the Eagles training camp
- There was a lot of talking over each other. During one-on-one drills, tight end Dallas Goedert hit Reed Blankenship with a deep hit. CJ Gardner-Johnson, who is out with a shoulder injury, watched and shouted to Goedert: “I’ll be right back. You won’t do that (swear word) again!”
- Speaking of 1-on-1 drills, Mitchell once again faced off against wide receiver DeVonta Smith. Smith caught the first ball and had a difficult time catching it as Mitchell was right behind him. Mitchell intercepted the next two passes to Smith.
- Nolan Smith showed a strong workout and managed a sack against Jalen Hurts.
- Practice ended with more 1-on-1 drills to resolve a tie between offense and defense. The final play was a long pass intended for freshman Ainias Smith, which Andre Sam interrupted by knocking the ball out of Smith’s hands as he lunged for the ball.
- The Eagles will hold a walkthrough practice on Monday before heading to Foxborough, Massachusetts, for a joint practice with the Patriots on Tuesday. The two teams will then play each other on Thursday night.
- Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
