Panthers vs. Steelers Bubble Watch 2.0

I’m almost scared to try another roster prediction post given I botched the first edition so badly. But I’m freshly motivated having just read a really good historical piece on Jake Delhomme by Panthers.com’s Andrew Mason that made me remember why I liked our QB so much. He still has the love of the game that will be on display on the sideline Thursday night as he cheers the guys trying to make the team. We can forget that Jake had a similar beginning in New Orleans.

"Here I am getting married in a few months and this will be my third time getting cut.  What's going to happen?" he recalled. "And then the drive home after the two hours -- I don't know, it was awful, awful."

So that inspirational memory made me get back on the keyboard to post yet again another absurd roster prediction.

So here it goes, our 53 man roster leading into the Chargers game (barring any new roster acquisitions):

Legend: Starters in italics, reserves in normal, bubble players that make it in bold, asterisk players are injury/suspension replacements (DL), strike through is last few players cut

Offense (24):

RB: Williams, Stewart, Hoover, Toefield, Goings, Birmingham

QB: Delhomme, Moore, Basanez

OL: Gross, Wharton, Kalil, Vincent, Otah, Hangartner, Bridges, Fonoti, Brown, Schwartz, Mathis, Bernadeau

TE: King, Rosario, Barnidge, Upshaw

WR: Moose, Hackett, Jarrett, T. Taylor, Parker*, Thompson

Defense (26):

DE: Peppers, Brayton, Johnson, McClover, H. Taylor

DT: Lewis, Kemoeatu, Walker, Hayden, Gibson

LB: Thomas, Beason, Diggs, Johnson, Seward, Conner, Anderson

CB: Gamble, Lucas, Marshall, Colclough, Wesley, Wilson

S: Harris, Godfrey, Holt, Salley, Teal

Special Teams (3):

K: Kasay, Lloyd, Kyle (long snapper)

P: Baker

Injury Report:

WR Ryne Robinson - DL

WR Jason Carter – IR

Suspended: WR Steve Smith

The decisions I battled with were whether the Panthers would instead direct either Hilee Taylor or Geoff Schwartz (or both) to the practice squad. Also, I think Anderson stays because of his special teams play and Gibson because of his ‘high motor’. It looks like fan favorites DB’s Quinton Teal and CJ Wilson will have to look elsewhere but Birmingham, Thompson and Bernadeau could make the practice squad. Parker will be gone once Smitty or Robinson comes back, whichever is first.

 Comments anyone?

Update: I forget Nick Goings who I do think will make it. To make room I cut TE Bary Barnidge. His injury really hurt his opportunity to impress the coaches. I also forgot the long snapper Jason Kyle. As a result my last cut is Hilee Taylor. A pass rush specialist would be nice but in the end Fox has to make the tough decision. Taylor will be PS material.