The Carolina Panthers first-team defense allowed just three points during the preseason, which may or may not mean much depending on whom you talk with.

But for defensive end Julius Peppers it serves, at the very least, as more evidence that this defense is certainly headed in the right direction.

Peppers said there's an undeniable chemistry permeating this year's defense.

"In the past, we might have had one or two guys that wanted to do their own thing, and cause a little ruckus, but that's not here right now," Peppers said. "I like the chemistry we've got with the young guys. They're listening and following. Everybody's working together. When you have that kind of team, good things happen."

That has Peppers and other Carolina defenders bubbling with enthusiasm as the team heads into Sunday's regular season opener against the San Diego Chargers.

Although the Chargers will be a stiff test - they finished 2007 ranked fifth in the league in points scored - the Panthers defense seems quietly confident.

"I'm excited about this team," Peppers said. "I like this defense, and I like the offense too. But I'm a part of this defense and I like what we've got going as a group."

He isn't the only one.

Cornerback Ken Lucas raved about this defense, saying it's the best he's seen since coming to Carolina.

"You can watch us practice and see us play and you can see a big difference," Lucas said. "It's just a bunch of guys out there just having fun."

Lucas likens it to a bunch of kids playing Pop Warner.

"It's like when you were a child and you looked out the window and saw rain and you would start crying because you wanted to play so bad," he said. "That is the type of feeling we have now. The guys on this defense, they want to play so bad."

"We are enjoying ourselves. We don't complain about putting on pads anymore. Everyone is on the same page right now and eager to make this thing work."

Safety Chris Harris recently said this defense is better than the Chicago Bears defense he played on two years ago - and that team went to the Super Bowl.

"We feel very, very good with the players that this organization has selected to be on this 53-man roster," Harris said. "We feel we have good players at all positions, playmakers at all positions. We feel very confident in the team that we have."

The Panthers finished last season ranked 16th in the league in defense and 15th in points allowed. They managed just 23 sacks, 19 fewer than the Chargers.

Entering training camp the biggest question facing this team was a revamped defensive line, especially after GM Marty Hurney traded defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and defensive end Mike Rucker retired.

But Peppers believes the line will surprise some people.

"I think we played great (in the preseason)," said Peppers. "That's not me trying to pump us up or make it seem like we're better than we really are. But it's on tape. We did good things. We can always get better, but we're playing with a lot of confidence."

The public perception is that Peppers needs to prove something after registering just 2.5 sacks last season, well off his career average.

But that, he said, is not on his mind.

He's more concerned with the overall effort of the defense.

"Some people may feel like I should prove something, but I don't feel I've got anything to prove to anybody," he said. "I feel like I'm the same dude I've always been for 10 years now."

Nonetheless, the return of the Peppers of old would be a huge help for the Panthers.

When asked about Jordan Gross' comments earlier this off-season that he looks bigger, stronger and faster than ever, Peppers shrugged his shoulders in response.

"I have to say yeah, I do," Peppers said. "I feel like every season I get bigger, faster and stronger. Since I've been in the league I've felt like that and I feel that way now."

With Rucker gone, Peppers is the only defensive starter remaining from Carolina's Super Bowl season in 2003. Perhaps that's why he was voted defensive captain on Wednesday along with linebacker Jon Beason.

"It shows I have the respect of the players around me," Peppers said.

Despite their strong effort in the preseason, the members of the Panthers defense realize they won't have the respect of the rest of the league until they prove they can do it in the regular season.

And the first test will be one of the toughest.

As Harris said, the Panthers will have a pretty good idea of where they stand Sunday night after playing four quarters against LaDainian Tomlinson, Phillip Rivers and Antonio Gates.

"You need to throw out all those numbers from the preseason. They mean nothing," Harris said. "We can't hang our hat on what we did in the preseason. That will get you 8-8. Our goal is to get in the playoffs, get a first-round bye and eventually win the Super Bowl."