Wyoming Valley Art League To Meet 
The Wyoming Valley Art League Will Hold Its January Meeting At 7:30 P.m.

Abrupt Dismissals Leave Bad Feelings

Wednesday, January 08, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1B 





Skrep's move was right on the line &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A few hours after he signed a four-year, $8-million free agent contract
with the expansion Carolina Panthers last spring, the big offensive lineman
was asked about the possibility of forgoing a world championship ring -- every
NFL &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; player's ultimate goal -- for the big bucksSurely, the reporter reminded
him, it would take years, perhaps even a decade, for the Panthers to even
contend for a wild card playoff berth in the rugged National Football
Conference. Heck, thoughts of a divisional title were a pipe-dream at best,
what with the powerful San Francisco 49ers ruling the West Division. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 All that considered, was Greg Skrepenak, who always expressed a desire to
play in the Super Bowl someday, ready to chuck his boyhood dream for a few
dollars? Was this lucrative arrangement with the upstart Panthers going to be
worth it in the long run? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He paused, then looked at me. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Uh-huh." he muttered. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It was, as it turned out, the perfect answer. Because not only is the guy
everyone knows as "Skrep" one of the top-paid offensive lineman in the league,
his team also just happens to be one victory from Super Bowl XXXI. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Talk about having your cake and eating it, too. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I look like a damn genius now," the GAR graduate and Wilkes-Barre native
said with a laugh Monday night, a day after the Panthers beat defending Super
Bowl champion Dallas 26-17 at Ericsson Stadium to advance to Sunday's NFC
title game at frigid Green Bay. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's been like a storybook season for me; I couldn't have planned things
any better," he said. "This has been the best move of my life." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The biggest move actually came in the preseason, when Panther coaches, in a
bind due to injuries to several players along the front, asked Skrepenak to
switch from tackle inside to guard. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Skrep said "Yes," which, next to the decision to flee the turbulent Oakland
Raiders last year, was probably the second-wisest choice of his life. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The 6-foot-8-inch, 320-pound former Michigan All-American has thrived in
his new home at right guard, utilizing a dangerous blend of quickness and raw
power to become one of the most effective blockers in the game. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The only offensive lineman to start every game for the Panthers in 1996,
Skrepenak has allowed just one sack ("and almost nil pressures," he added) in
the last 17 games, including Sunday's big victory over the Cowboys. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 By comparison, Tony Boselli, Jacksonsville's highly acclaimed offensive
tackle, has given up three sacks this season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Skrepenak admittedly is disappointed about being bypassed for postseason
honors, namely the NFC Pro-Bowl squad. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'm not saying I'm the best offensive lineman out there," he said. "But
I've had my best season without a doubt at a position where I had very little
experience." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Though Skrep conceded the all-pro selection process, a popularity contest
by nature, can often times be politically motivated, he nonetheless felt he
deserved to be counted among the best in the game. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I've played against Pro Bowl players and shut them down," he said,
pointing to his success this season against noted defensive linemen Bryant
Young (49ers), John Randall (Vikings), Wayne Martin (Saints) and DeMarco Farr
(Rams). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "When you look at my season and the guys I played against, yeah, I felt I
had a legitimate shot to make it. It's kind of a joke. It becomes so political
... such a bias thing. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's frustrating." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 All of this will just make Skrepenak play even harder this week on the
"Frozen Tundra" of Lambeau Field. He knows that a big performance against the
Packers (he'll line up across from tackles Santana Dotson and Gilbert Brown
and undoubtedly will be called to help out against end Reggie White) in the
most important game of his life will only enhance his reputation around the
league. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Most important, Skrep likes the Panthers chances to upset the Pack, a
touchdown-plus favorite in the game. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I always said I'd give up personal accolades for team goals," he said.
"None of that would mean anything to me if we could win it all. We're a
confident group. We want that ring so bad. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "If they don't take us seriously ... " &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jerry Kellar is a Times Leader sports writer. His column appears on
Wednesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Skrep's Move Was Right On The Line 
A Few Hours After He Signed A Four-year, $8-million Free Agent Contract With 
The Expansion Carolina Panthers Last Spring, The Big Offensive Lineman Was 
Asked About The Possibility Of Forgoing A World Championship Ring -- Every Nfl 
Player's Ultimate Goal -- For The Big Bucks.