It is Ryne Robinson's hope that what has gone well for him this NFL preseason will overshadow what hasn't been so good.

Robinson, who is in a fight to make the team as a receiver or kick-punt returner, has seen both.

In the Panthers' 27-17 exhibition loss last Saturday against Miami, Robinson's 15-yard reception from Jake Delhomme on a third down kept alive a first-quarter scoring drive.

But that catch was essentially forgotten later in the game, when Robinson allowed a punt he was trying to field bounce into him. The ball was recovered by the Dolphins, who scored five plays later.

"I take full responsibility for that," Robinson said.

It wasn't the kind of high-profile error needed by a guy who's got to have nearly everything fall his way for him to be on the Panthers' roster when they open their regular season Sept. 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"He's had some good, and he's had some bad," said coach John Fox. "Offensively (against Miami), I thought he did OK. But in the kicking game, he had one error that was costly."

It wasn't long ago that Robinson's career seemed fairly secure with the Panthers.

In his rookie season of 2007, Robinson was the Panthers' primary kickoff and punt returner. He wasn't spectacular – he didn't score a touchdown – but he was effective. He had a 60-yard kickoff return against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a 34-yard punt return against the Dallas Cowboys.

There was little reason to think Robinson wouldn't be in the same role for the Panthers in 2008 – until a training-camp knee injury ended his season.

Robinson had surgery to repair the knee, then worked hard in the offseason to rehab it.

"There's still some (soreness) there," Robinson said. "Going a whole year not working out, just rehabbing is tough. But I don't think I favor the knee and I expect I can fully function on it and do what I need to do."

When Robinson arrived in Spartanburg earlier this month for training camp, he found plenty of competition waiting for his old returner jobs. He'd hoped that his versatility as a receiver (he caught four passes for 35 yards in 2007) and a returner would help him out.

But rookies Captain Munnerlyn (punts) and Mike Goodson (kickoffs) have moved ahead of him on the special-teams depth chart. And Kenneth Moore, competing with Robinson for the No. 4 receiver's spot, can also return kicks and punts.

Robinson's chances of making the team increased when Jason Carter – another young receiver who also had returner's skills – was released earlier this week.

"It's the preseason, so I'm not reading too much into any of this," said Robinson. "I just want to play hard and do what I do: Catch the ball cleanly and get up the field. It's not about them, it's about me."

But Robinson didn't get up the field on that punt he muffed against the Dolphins. He waved for a fair catch, then became indecisive. Then the worst happened.

"I misjudged it off (Dolphins punter Brandon Fields') foot," said Robinson. "I didn't get a good jump off the ball. It hit the ground – and it wasn't supposed to hit the ground at all. I backed off it at the last moment and I wasn't sure where it was going to land."

Said Fox: "He was going to field it, then decided not to. He should have decided to field it." Fox was asked if indecision is one of a punt returner's worst enemies. "Yes," he said.

On the bubble

Five other players who might – or might not – make the Panthers:

LB Jeremy Leman: Was considered a long shot, but is getting lots of exhibition playing time due to injuries to Jon Beason, Thomas Davis and Landon Johnson. He's been impressive so far.

FB Tony Fiammetta: The Panthers don't normally keep two fullbacks, but Fiammetta was taken in the fourth round of last spring's draft as a successor to Brad Hoover. Expect him to stick.

TE Dante Rosario: Has fallen behind Gary Barnidge and Jeff King on the depth chart, but had three catches for 54 yards in exhibition against Dolphins.

LS J.J. Jansen: It's safe to say that another high snap like he had against the Dolphins would make his job security very shaky.

R Kenneth Moore: Is in direct competition with Ryne Robinson's for the team's fourth – and probably final – receiver's spot. But if the team were to add another receiver, he could be the odd man out. Can also help out with kick and punt returning. – David Scott

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