"Zach Miller's hands have caught more than just the NFL's attention.

He is one of only four tight ends in the league with 50 or more receptions in each of the three past seasons.

Just don't say Miller's hands are soft. That's simply not possible for a tight end, whose job description requires him to block the big uglies along the defensive line one play, and then catch a pass the next.

"You have the lineman hands," Miller said, holding his out for display. "The swollen knuckles and the bloody fingers, peeled back nails."

And Miller wouldn't have it any other way.

Blocking is a part of the job he embraces, and his ability in that regard is part of the reason Seattle ponied up the five-year, $34 million contract to lure him away from the Oakland Raiders as an unrestricted free agent.

Miller was the cherry on top of Seattle's free-agent sundae, a finishing touch so to speak. Sidney Rice was the kind of top-shelf receiver Seattle had been jonesing to acquire for more than a year. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and left guard Robert Gallery filled glaring vacancies in the starting lineup.

Tight end was different. John Carlson was the established starter, and while his 2010 season was a disappointment, he caught more passes in each of his first two seasons with the team than any other tight end in franchise history."