Despite what he believes, the starting spots aren't set as no one has been promised anything. And that's smart because, as you said, if you've been told that they are set, you might not work as hard because you know you're not going to win it.
Now obviously they'd like to see Bishop start because he was a 2nd rounder and the best athlete of the bunch and Rapp was a starter last year and still has room to improve, but Forrest could push for a spot and so too could Hancock. Or as the topic suggests, Owens.