Offensive lines are built on the fundamentals ofcohesiveness and continuity. It can take years of repetitions and practice for a line to come together and play as a unit.

For years, Lonnie Paxton, Jon Osterhout, and Tim Conley played together on a Hornet offensive line that could set up smoothly in pass protection or pound a dent into a defense on a short yardage play. Now each of the trio finds himself adapting to a new situation.

Days after this year?s NFL draft, Paxton signed a free age nt contract with the New England Patriots where he beat out veteran Lance Scott for the long-snapper position. Paxton?s value to the Patriots is two-fold though.

“Lonnie is a very good lineman, and a great long snapper, and he will become a better offensive lineman because he has the desire to do it,” Sac State offensive line coach Angus McClure said.

Paxton could battle for playing time on a Patriot offensive line that finds itself in a state of flux. Even if he never plays a down from scrimmage, Paxton figures to play a number of years in the pros due to the premium teams place on the long-snapper position. Patriots head coach Bill Belicheck points to veteran long snappers John Hudson and Steve DeOssie as players who lasted a decade in the NFL without playing every down positions.

While Paxton figures to play a number of years as a professional, the career of Tim Conley is still very much unsettled and could go a number of directions. Conley has signed a contract with the XFL, a football league which will start this year, and will be eligible for the new league?s draft this spring. Conley has also been coveted by a number of NFL teams.

Conley fits the physical parameters of what teams want in their offensive tackles.

“A lot of teams would take him on their practice squad,” McClure said. “He?s a big physical mauler who is very bright.”

Recently scouts from the 49ers and Raiders have called inquiring about his services. Still, Conley?s future may not be decided until this spring as the upstart XFL may be willing to offer a more lucrative contract. Where Conley goes is very much in question at this point.

Conley and Paxton?s teammate Jon Osterhout?s NFL career lasted only a number of weeks as teams became fearful of his surgically repaired shoulder. After signing with the New York Giants, Osterhout failed a physical and was released. Shortly afterward, Osterhout latched on with the Washington Redskins where he was given an injury settlement after experiencing football with some of the game?s best players.

“It was a collection of the greatest football players in the world at an intense competition.”

Since that experience, he has returned to Sac State where he coaches the team?s tight ends.

“Football is my life. I love the sport. It builds character in a man.” Osterhout said.

Even though the three no longer battle together as Hornets, all three still remain very closely tied to the game they love.