Jeremy Butler didn't stop hearing from Ravens coach John Harbaugh when the wide receiver was placed on injured reserve during his rookie season.
The feedback and encouragement from Harbaugh was meaningful for the promising undrafted wide receiver from Tennessee-Martin as he rehabilitated from a sprained shoulder.
"We talked a lot during the season and he's always telling me, 'What are you going to do? What are you doing to be better?'" Butler said in a telephone interview. "I'm definitely going to deliver. I'm not here to just be another guy. I want to have an impact and leave a legacy.
"In a weird way, this year probably added a couple of years to my career. I learned how to take care of my body and be a pro."
During a season-ending press conference, Harbaugh singled out Butler as a young receiver the team is excited about.
Since injuring his shoulder, which didn't require surgery, Butler has been cleared for all offseason activities. He'll return to town for the offseason conditioning program in April.
"My shoulder feels great," Butler said. "I took care of the rehab and the trainers did a nice job."
Butler caught six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown during the preseason. He caught 141 passes for 1,953 yards and 20 touchdowns in college.
Butler displayed a knack for making contested catches during minicamps, muscling defensive backs out of the way.
"That's the thing about the NFL, you're not always going to be wide open or get separation," Butler said. "The cornerbacks get paid, too. A lot of throws will be contested. You've got to be strong to the point of attack. The ball belongs to you, nobody else. I believe no ball is uncatchable."
At 6 feet 2 and 217 pounds, Butler is a bigger wide receiver. That falls in line with what new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman has shown a preference for in the past, including his time with the Chicago Bears coaching wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
"He's definitely a passing guy and has a great understanding of the passing game and the West Coast offense," Butler said. "The timing couldn't be better for me with a new system and a coach who favors bigger, physical guys."
Butler said he's been working a lot on his speed and has reduced his body fat to four percent.
"I've been running a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash," said Butler, who ran a 4.56 at his Pro Day with a 36-inch vertical leap last spring. "I've been getting a lot faster. I've been taking care of my body and shed some body weight."
Although the Ravens have several wide receivers on the roster, including Steve Smith, Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones, Kamar Aiken, Marlon Brown and Michael Campanaro, Butler could figure into their future plans, as well. Butler has talked extensively with wide receivers coach Bobby Engram, a productive former NFL wide receiver.
"I've had good one-on-one talks with him and he's taught me a lot of things and helped me grow and mature on and off the field," Butler said. "I've learned how to take care of my body and work smarter and not just harder.
"I know what works for me and how to critique my own game. He taught me a lot of the fine details of the game and how to be a better wideout overall and unlock my game and helped me not to limit myself and to work on your limitations."
Butler is also in school this offseason and needs just two more courses to complete his bachelor's degree. He's been studying sociology and public speaking this semster.
His primary focus, besides spending time with his two-year-old son this offseason in Florida, is on improving.
"I'm real excited," Butler said. "I'm taking it one day at a time and not trying to get too anxious. It's a great opportunity. You have a different mindset into your second season. It's a different feel to it. I'm real excited about earning my spot and contributing. I want to be a playmaker for this team. I love this organization. If you can play, you will get an opportunity."