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Panthers Ready To Renew Hostilities With Bucs

Tribune photo by CLIFF MCBRIDE

Jon Gruden and Jeff Garcia will lead the Bucs into a crucial rivalry game with the Panthers at Raymond James Stadium Sunday.

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By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: October 9, 2008

Updated: 10/09/2008 01:05 am

TAMPA - Just when the Red Sox depart the Trop this weekend, another sports team rolls into town to renew hostilities with a Tampa Bay area rival.

The Panthers and Bucs clash Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, where Carolina has reeled off five consecutive victories. The Panthers (4-1) lead Tampa Bay and Atlanta by one game atop the NFC South.

"They don't like us, man," Bucs WR Ike Hilliard said Wednesday. "They don't like us a whole lot, it's been well-documented. They hate us. It makes it a lot more fun on game day."

Tampa Bay DT Chris Hovan recognized the seeds of a Bucs-Panthers rivalry, even while he was wearing Minnesota colors.

"There's history between these two teams," Hovan said, "and it seems like Carolina and Tampa are always fighting for the division title. Even when I was playing up north, I would watch those games and think this is turning into a real rivalry. Over the years, it has developed. We respect what they put on tape, but at 1 o'clock Sunday, we don't have to like each other."

"We don't really like them and they don't really like us. I think they are a good team, and I really respect them a lot, but I don't really care for them, either. It's easy to get up for this game because they think they're so good. We're good, so we'll see who's better." - Bucs T Jeremy Trueblood, on the first-place Panthers

"The only thing we're guaranteed of is being at least 4-12." - Panthers QB Jake Delhomme, on Carolina's fast start

"Muhsin is a guy that I wish we had never lost." - Panthers coach John Fox, on veteran WR Muhsin Muhammad, who leads Carolina with 25 receptions since returning to the Panthers after three seasons in Chicago

"Nobody makes trades. It's fun to talk about, but the reality is there are not many trades that happen." - Bucs coach Jon Gruden, on the possibility of Tampa Bay making a move before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline

"We have depth on our roster, so I believe we can do anything we want to do." - Bucs G Davin Joseph

INJURY UPDATE

MLB Barrett Ruud (knee), WR Joey Galloway (foot) and FB B.J. Askew (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden was optimistic about the availability of Ruud, who sprained his right knee at Denver, but he has no idea when his big-play target will return.

"He's not ready to go," Gruden said of Galloway's status. "It's not that he's not tough, it's not that he's not trying, he just can't let it go. He can't run right now. It kills me, but that's the way it is."

Three of Carolina's starters on the offensive line didn't practice - C Ryan Kalil (ankle) and tackles Jordan Gross (concussion) and rookie Jeff Otah (ankle).

BALL HUNGRY

Since their inaugural 1995 season, the Panthers rank first in the NFL in takeaways:

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