We are saying the same thing, though. The team environment doesn't work when you're automatically showing favoritism for seniority or because a player has a higher salary. You should be encouraging people to work hard in training camp and prove themselves each and every day.
But just as seniority and salary isn't an excuse to get an unearned nod ahead of another player, the same is true of youth and "potential". None of those reasons are good enough. The coach needs to see players earning it every day on merit -- not on wishes, hopes, rumors, past glories, or things that don't exist now that might exist next season.