There have been dustups. There have been brutal, season-ending hits, crushing defeats and euphoric victories,…

Here’s a head-scratcher.

How does a defensive line lose Kris Jenkins and Mike Rucker in the off-season and actually get better the following year, especially given the only new faces the Carolina Panthers brought in were starter Tyler Brayton and backups Darwin Walker and rookie Hilee Taylor?

The theories vary, but the facts remain the same.

The Panthers are better up front than they were a year ago with Jenkins and Rucker, two guys who have been to Pro Bowls.

The Panthers (4-1) rank fourth in the league in total defense after blanking Kansas City 34-0 on Sunday and have given up the third-fewest points in the league. In consecutive weeks, they’ve led the charge against the run, keeping LaDainian Tomlinson, Matt Forte, Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner and…

Offensive tackles Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah fully participated in practice Friday, but were listed on the injury report as questionable to play Sunday at Tampa Bay. Gross (concussion) and Otah (sprained ankle) did not play last week against Kansas…

From the Observer: Panthers-Bucs rivalry going strong Gross says he’s ready to play, other notes Ron Green Jr. NFL picks (printed version) Ron Green Jr. NFL picks (video) Panthers-Bucs preview, deal or no deal (video) Quotes from Panthers locker room…

When Dwayne Jarrett left Southern California with a slew of school receiving records, few would have imagined his biggest honor early in his second NFL season would be getting voted player of the week — of the scout team. But the way Jarrett acted and performed in simulating the opposition in practice last week — before spending his third straight game on the inactive list — was a milestone in…

Jordan Gross just stopped by the media room for a few minutes, per request, and told reporters that he expects to play Sunday against Tampa Bay, but hasn’t been given the final go-ahead by coach John Fox. However, he said…

From the Tampa Tribune: Garcia (right) likely the man Sunday Panthers ready to renew hostilities with Bucs Griese’s arm an injury of convenience? (with other blogs) If you’re going, expect pat-down security check Orlando Sentinel Gruden doubts trade will happen…

The Panthers placed receiver/returner Ryne Robinson on injured reserve on Wednesday. Robinson, who injured his knee in training camp, hadn’t played yet this season. That move plus a knee problem that kept D.J. Hackett out of Wednesday’s practice mean second-year…

Forget Atlanta; Tampa Bay LB Derrick Brooks is one of those guys who believes that the Bucs’ biggest rival is Carolina. “I must agree,” he said with a laugh on a just-completed conference call. “We just feel it’s the biggest…

Forget Atlanta. Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks is one of those guys who believes the Bucs’ biggest rival is Carolina. “I must agree,” he said with a laugh on a just-completed conference call. “We just feel it’s the biggest rivalry…