Never before has a two-catch-per-game tight end been so important to the .Zach Miller, Oakland's second-round pick in 2007, has quietly become one of the team's most valuable young assets through the first three games of the regular season.The 6-foot-5 pass catcher has registered just seven receptions for 54 yards this year, but he has found other ways to show he was worth the 38th overall selection in the NFL draft.Miller is the Raiders' best pass-eligible extension of the offensive line since ...I can't remember.Just take a look at the past decade of 43 Polamalu black jersey
tight ends the Raiders have tried their luck with.Rickey Dudley, who debuted when Mike White was coaching way back in 1996, was perhaps the most respectable of the long list. All the way up until 2003, Dudley recorded 186 receptions for 2,627 yards and 29 touchdowns. That doesn't say much for his blocking abilities, though.Since then, (take a deep breath), David Dunn, Roland Williams, Doug Jolley, Teyo Johnson, O.J. Santiago, Courtney Anderson, James Adkisson and Randal Williams have all lined up from the tight end spot and caught at least one pass with the Raiders.See anybody particularly good? I don't.Of the nine tight ends, including Dudley, none has recorded a 50-plus-catch season in his NFL career. In 10 seasons and counting, rival Tony Gonzalez has achieved that accomplishment nine times.None were particularly great blockers, either.Finally, five months ago, the Raiders did something to address their decade-long dilemma.Oakland selected Miller, who had previously spent three seasons with Arizona State. With the Sun Devils, the Phoenix native hauled in 144 passes for 1,512 yards and 14 touchdowns.What's ironic was that blocking was considered to be one of the 21-year-old's weaknesses heading into the pros. Several major media pundits such as SI.com and Scout.com mentioned "the strength of his base and his blocking" to be major downsides, but his pass catching to be a major positive.Thus far, it has been just the opposite.Miller has shown that he can consistently open holes in the running game; contrarily, in the passing game, he's been rather quiet.Much of the reason he's been absent in the vertical game, though, is thanks to second-year TE John Madsen, who has 11 catches this season for 146 yards. Madsen splits time with Miller throughout each game, particularly on obvious passing downs.Perhaps it's that competition that's contributing to the rookie's success on the line."Competition is a good thing," Miller said after being drafted by Oakland. "I'm out there to work."Off the tackles, where Miller is typically lined up, starting running back LaMont Jordan has carried the ball 40 times for 198 yards (just under 5.0 yards per rush). Much of that productivity has come as a result of 4 Brett Favre White jersey
Miller's ability to take on incoming linebackers and seal the corner.The 255-pounder has also shown great instincts in pass protection, something recent Raider tight ends such as Teyo Johnson and Courtney Anderson were often criticized for."You have to do what you can when you get the reps," Miller said.Even if it means giving up a few receptions to go head-on with a strongside linebacker.
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