Carl he is playing because Jones got hurt.
All of that might be true - I don't much care how he sees himself. I just would like to see some consistent logic applied to decisions.
Specifically decisions where you weigh risk/reward in game and decisions where you balance what you do today with what the future ROI is.
This feels EXACTLY like Boyle. There hasn't be any need to play him to date instead it's a wasted year and he's somehow regressing in games.
Obviously, if Jones isn't out, there is no need to bump up a younger player on the roster. Holy crap, I didn't think I need to point that out - the discussion here is about who gets bumped up. I thought at least.
I've made the point a few times now, I'm not going to put up all the info and links and articles blah blah that I've looked at over the past several weeks trying to get inside the head of this coach and figure out WTF he is doing. Vast majority of you all won't read it anyway, and if you are interested, it's not hard to find. I"ve given plenty of clues of what I'm talking about. I have no direct knowledge of this, but I'd bet the boat, that Diaco is assembling his game day rosters based on player evaluations, that are coming from a detailed, multifactorial approach to evaluation, of which physical skill level, is just one. There is a TON of off field stuff going into his player evaluations - IMNSHO - as well it should be, because I believe that college football exists, as an adjunct to an education and going from a teenager to an adult. I don't know how much more clear I can be about this. With the view I have developed after reading a lot about this quirky guy in the past few weeks tryign to figure out WTF is going on, the things he's said, done, regarding player personnel through almost a full year now - it all makes very clear sense. He has a very detailed plan as to defining what a complete football player in his program is supposed to be, and how those players are supposed to get there, and how they are progressing in that regard, is related directly to where they stand on the depth charts. Physical skill level, is only a small part.
One more way to put this - IF, IF - we had a solid roster of 3rd, 4th year players - that were of the same mold - as say a Byron Jones, or a Deshon Foxx - a rookie like McAllister would not ever see the two deep roster on game day. And I use Jones, and Foxx as examples - not because of physical ability alone - but what they represent off the field as individuals representing themselves, and their university as well.
This is nothing like boyle BTW. Boyle has been on the depth chart, and getting playing time since Cochran went out in September. it's pretty simple about Boyle, breaking it all down finally as the season goes on. If the kid would get in the game and do something good, instead of something bad - he would play more. Simple.
As I've said upteen times now - the player personnel choices that Diaco is making to assemble game day rosters? I got no problem with the process and selection. I've got lots of questions about WTF we are doing to assemble game plans, tactics and strategy in offensive and defensive structures, play calling from those structures, and game time coaching decision making - to achieve those wins. So far, all of that is failing.
THe individual player development part of Diaco's program is working great - it's a tried and true plan and approach. His team building toward winning, is what's not working - to date. Putting a true freshmen in the 2-deep when a 5th year senior goes out? That should tell you about the recruiting that's been done in the past 6 years. That's all.