EAGAN, Minn. -- Mackensie Alexander's growth as an NFL player delves beyond honing the physical skill set needed to play one of the most difficult positions on defense.
The Minnesota Vikings cornerback's maturation features a heavy dose of self-actualization. It involves learning how to get out of his own way. It's about coming to terms with why he struggled with what the Vikings asked of him during his first two seasons. And it started with a long, hard look in the mirror.
"It's about growing up, sometimes," Alexander said. "You got to grow up and do your job and do what's asked of you.