up between Jeff Hostetler and the turf and which resulted in a dislocated ankle joint that kept him out for the season. Skrepenak did not become a starter for the Raiders until midway through the 1994 NFL season when he replaced Bruce Wilkerson. He started the final 10 games of 1994 and the first 14 games of the 1995 NFL season before being benched toward the end of the season in favor of Robert Jenkins. Skrepenak was deactivated from the roster for the final two games of the season right before his contract expired. Officially, the deactivation was due to a combination of a rib injury and the flu, but some say it may have also been partially due to vocal play selection criticism. However, head coach Mike White and assistant coach Joe Bugel said the benching was merely a function of the full strength depth chart upon the return of Gerald Perry. Skrepenak was a vocal detractor on the organization after leaving the Raiders. Among the opinions Skrepenak expressed during his time with the Raiders was that the Raiders overemphasized slogans related to team history while setting penalty records as a team. The Panthers signed him in the offseason after the 1995 NFL season as an unrestricted free agent. While he was a Panther, he and Blake Brockermeyer were considered the key components of the offensive line. He was the only Panther to start every game of both the 1996 and 1997 National Football League seasons. He was named to the Panther’s All-Time Team. He was released from the team due to salary cap considerations. Skrepenak was rumored to be sought after by the Miami Dolphins in 1998. However, he spent the year out of football. Skrepenak was in the Oakland Raiders' 1999 summer camp, but during his comeback attempt he had to leave the Raiders camp in on August 10, 1999 to attend to personal business back in Wilkes-Barre for several days. Skrepenak was a supporter of the new Jon Gruden coaching administration upon his return to the Raiders despite the fact that he was not as highly paid or expected to start. Skrepenak was a popular offensive lineman with the Raiders and his spot was held in his absence with a special tribute by Steve Wisniewski and Mo Collins who both wore his jersey number in his absence. Skrepenak returned to camp for a few weeks. On