Which direction players are heading at the end of the preseason, after an ugly 19-3 loss to Pittsburgh wrapped things up:

Stock up

WIDE RECEIVER CHARLY MARTIN: Begged and pleaded to get on the field in any capacity while recovering from a broken finger. All he did was show he could be the kind of special teams player Wallace Wright was going to be. Give him credit for making plays and showing a willingness to do whatever's necessary to win a job here.

DEFENSIVE END GREG HARDY: Made a name for himself this preseason. Added another sack early, and continues to show he's a legitimate three-down end, not just a pass-rusher. To think they got this guy in the sixth round is amazing.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE ANDRE NEBLETT: Looking for a sleeper? Neblett, a short-legged run-stuffer, had six tackles in the finale. He's quietly gained traction with coaches, and it's easy to see him being on the practice squad when that gets named Sunday.

FANS: Your time in purgatory is over, and the reward is near. Actual NFL football, played by actual NFL football players, begins next weekend, and none too soon. You've suffered through enough the past month; enjoy the next 17 weeks.

Stock down

WIDE RECEIVERS DWAYNE JARRETT AND BRANDON LAFELL: If you feel good about either one of these two starting next week in New York, raise your hand. Bueller ... Bueller ... Anyone? Didn't think so. Maybe the coverage relaxes with Steve Smith on the other side, but neither of these guys made a convincing case.

RIGHT GUARD DUKE ROBINSON: After coming to training camp too fat to safely practice, Robinson proceeded to cough up every chance he was given to win a starting job. Then all the holding penalties Thursday night. Unless someone develops a platoon-guard system in which he only has to run-block, it's hard to see him playing much.

QUARTERBACKS TONY PIKE AND HUNTER CANTWELL: These two had everything to play for, and it's hard to say either did anything with the opportunity. Granted, they didn't have a lot to work with, and it's hard to judge either based on their surroundings, but the opportunity was there to grab the third job, and neither did.

NFL OWNERS: It's probably safe to assume in the future they'll play 18 games and two exhibitions, which is good. Because charging full price for abominations like Thursday's game is shameful. New rule: If starters don't play in an exhibition, they have to sit on the concourse and sign autographs, or sing and dance, or somehow entertain the folks who got chiseled into paying for that mess as part of their season ticket package.

Holding steady

RUNNING BACK JONATHAN STEWART: Again he dressed, but again he didn't play. Said after the game he could have, and declared himself ready for the regular season. It'll be interesting to see how he does against the Giants, a team that will load up on the run.

QUARTERBACK JIMMY CLAUSEN'S BIG TOE: Being held out to rest that sore toe has to make you wonder. The Panthers knew it would be a maintenance issue this season, but at least you know from last year he's played through pain.

QUARTERBACK MATT MOORE: He didn't do anything to tarnish his image Thursday night, although he did finish the preseason with a lower passer rating than receiver Edwards (56.1 to 56.2). His reputation has always been as a "gamer," that impossible-to-quantify suspension of practice disbelief. He better be, or maybe they ought to just tell him it's December.

PUNTER JASON BAKER: Turned in a solid preseason. Now the only question is, will he have to kick off as well. Roster space is going to be tight, and unless they find one for kicker Todd Carter, he's going to have to double-dip, and get better at it than he's shown in the past. Then again, no more than they're scoring, kickoffs may not be the highest priority.

Darin Gantt