linux source vs kernel-source

[Russ Cook <russcook@mbo.net>]

I generally compile my own kernel using kernel-package and the 
kernel-source packages from the debian sites.  But, at ftp.kernel.org 
are source files that are 2.6.9 vs 2.6.8.
These files are labeled linux-2.6.9 vs kernel-source-2.6.8.  My question 
is:  are the
linux-* source files modified when made in to kernel-source-*.deb 
files?  Will the
linux-* source files compile and build properly using the kernel-package 
tools?
If so, I'd like to use the higher rev linux-* source files, rather than 
wait for them
to show up on the unstable sites as kernel-source-*.deb files.

Thanks for any replies.

   Russ