honestly it's a safety thing too. If a kid isn't there to practice tackling or no the plays when he is supposed to block the chances of him getting hurt or someone else getting hurt goes up. I understand completely that things come up and kids will have to occasionally miss practice, but this kid is missing 1-2 practices every week. We have yet to have a week where he has made it to every practice. If I play him, I'm taking playing time away from a kid who actually shows  up, how is that fair? Everyone is busy and they find time to make it.