Based on the JSOnline interview, it sounds like Starks understands why he's sitting. I think it's not a matter of not willing to work (see McCarthy's last sentence in the article), I think it's more likely he doesn't know how to prepare properly--he's a rookie, missed his senior year and most of his rookie year due to injury.
Hopefully, it will motivate him to seek out other players on the team (Kuhn, etc) and learn some successful game preparation habits.