They are independent events. It's not unfair.
The point raised above was the value of Maclin versus Barnidge for this team. Do you disagree that Maclin has more to offer? Even if you do, do you consider that "bashing" Sammy rather than raising a valid point about availability?
Maclin played 27 out of his last 32 games compared to Sammy's 21/32 in the same timespan, btw... 6 games difference in between two seasons is significant, IMO, but still irrelevant to the larger picture that we need good to great WR depth more than good to great TE depth, especially with TT's deficiencies. Anyway you slice it, Maclin makes more sense than Barnidge.