Mulkey Goes Out with Class
Grant Mulkey is one of those players that could make a key play for your team (his specialty was hanging onto a ball after being smashed by a linebacker or safety), but in all likelihood won't be missed this fall by Nebraska.
Three elements are usually present in top collegiate players: talent, experience and effort. Mulkey would have been one of the more experienced wide receivers on the team and while you can question his dedication given some of his misdeeds in his time at Nebraska, there's little doubt he made a solid effort in practices. However, one reason Grant Mulkey was a walk-on is that he did not have the sort of gifts that other players (like a Bobby Newcombe) had that would make him a star player (or as I like to say, "special").
Wide receiver is sort of a unique position. Frequently, you can see a player become a consistent playmaker simply by running good routes and having good hands. Speed is definitely an asset but at the college level not always a necessity. A perfect example is Matt Davison. Davison is the second all-time leading receiver at Nebraska (and a beloved former player). However, Davison wasn't the swiftest guy in the world. In fact, some fans liked calling him "5-flat Matt" in reference to his 40-yard dash time.
Mulkey was the fourth leading receiver a year ago, but his prospects for being anything more than the fourth receiver in 2006 weren't all that great. Terrence Nunn and Nate Swift would likely get time ahead of him and Frantz Hardy averaged four extra yards per reception a year ago. Add to that big target (and likely red zone specialist) Todd Peterson and Mulkey has plenty of competition coming back and plenty of newcomers awaiting their chance to jump in the fold like Chris Brooks, Tyrell Spain, Maurice Purify, Will Henry, and Menelik Holt. With his experience, Mulkey would have had his chances to get on the field, but the chances that he'd be a major component were pretty slim. He could have had a big moment like Mike Stuntz or Matt Davison, but probably would not have been a "special" player.
After Mulkey had been kicked off the team, if he had spewed bile, no one would have been surprised. Sour grapes is pretty common among college athletes when things don't go their way. That's why it was so refreshing to hear Mulkey point the finger only at himself after the decision was made that he would not play again. When guys like Jon Dawson or Richie Incognito got booted for the team, I was upset in part because Nebrasak needed those guys. This time the feeling is a little different, I just feel bad that he missed out on a chance at being a part of something, well, special. Mulkey may miss Nebraska more than the team misses him, but I for one will remember him as a guy who took the high road. These days, that's pretty special.
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