'Pick your poison': Brian Burns, Haason Reddick aim for Panthers' sack record

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker arrived at training camp in 2002 with a challenge from then-Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.

Get to the quarterback: 1 point

Force a fumble: 1 point

Tackle for loss: 2 points

Most points at the end of camp: prize

“It was like we were playing a game within a game," Rucker recalled of the point system Del Rio devised for the entire defense, not just his starting ends. “It helped us engage when it was hot. The offense didn’t like it, but all of a sudden they had to raise their game because we’re out there whooping and hollering, ‘I got a point!'

“That’s what helped us become who we were."

That season, Rucker and Peppers combined…