Until guys establish themselves, coaches go on what they see in practice. Generally, there is correlation. But some great practice players don't end up do that well in real games. Some guys don't practice well, but do play well when at game time. It is difficult for me to believe that McKinley was excelling at practice and still being kept on the bench for this reason: other WRs in his class saw the field early and plenty. Claypool and Stepherson in particular. And younger WRs saw the field too, notably Young. I don't think Kelly and Long were "stubbornly" refusing to play McKinley. Not everyone develops on the same time table. Some guys are ready early, some guys don't hit their stride until later in their careers. I'm glad McKinley seized the opportunity he got and hope he continues to produce. But I have a hard time seeing it as an indictment of Kelly or Long.