-- The Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald and the Packers' Greg Jennings are arguably two of the top five receivers in the NFL, and they pay the price. For a month now, they have been trudging out in the desert heat of Tempe, Ariz., and running routes to be game-ready when the NFL lockout ends.

But who is that guy next to them? The 5-foot-9, 180-pound guy with the tattoos? That is Raiders backup receiver Nick Miller, who has as many catches in his two-year career (three) as Fitzgerald and Jennings have in a typical scoring drive.

Thanks to being in the right place at the right time, Miller, 24, has seen the light - he's working out with and getting tips from Pro Bowl receivers.

"Every day, I learn something from them," Miller said. "It's brought my game from A to Z already, in just the short time I have been with them."

How does an undrafted receiver out of Southern Utah get hooked up with Fitzgerald? Well, Miller lives in Gilbert, Ariz., and was playing catch with Raiders backup quarterback Charlie Frye one day when Frye said he knew Fitzgerald and heard he was working out with other players 15 minutes away at Arizona State.

A phone call later, Miller was taking turns running routes and doing speed drills with Fitzgerald and Jennings.

"You notice all their techniques, things they do like stutters at the top of their routes, what you can do to confuse cornerbacks on certain routes, different ways to catch the ball," Miller said. "It's so cool, because they answer all my questions - I am getting the best receiver education in the world free of charge."

The Raiders have always liked Miller, as evidenced by keeping him on the roster his entire rookie year despite his being inactive for 15 games with a broken shin. Last season, Miller got on the field as a punt returner and had three catches for 40 yards - including a nice, over-the shoulder 32-yarder at Denver on Oct. 24.

That was enough for Oakland to give Miller a one-year, $480,000 deal days before the collective bargaining agreement went up in smoke.

"I had no idea they wanted me back, and I was so excited," Miller said. "I can't imagine going through this lockout not knowing what my future was."

Right now, he is behind Jacoby Ford, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Louis Murphy and Chaz Schilens on the Raiders' depth chart. Miller got to see most of those guys as 33 players got together for workouts two weeks ago in Atlanta.

"We all put in some hard work, and it was great for morale," Miller said. "We did a lot of team building, like dinners out and poker night. Everyone is looking forward to next season, to making a run at the playoffs."

New coach Hue Jackson has already talked about using Ford more and making him "a household name." Just wait until he sees his new and improved No. 5 receiver.

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Last year's stats for Nick Miller and his training partners:
Name Rec Yds TDs
Nick Miller 3 40 0
Larry Fitzgerald 90 1,137 6
Greg Jennings 76 1,265 12