Carolina Panthers fans have waited patiently for fourth-year wide receiver Curtis Samuel to have a big breakout season.
After missing half of his rookie season to an ankle injury, Samuel's versatility, athleticism and speed has been on display throughout Carolina's Training Camp and preseason the last two years.
The Ohio State product has gotten better, but hasn't truly taken that big jump to be a reliable go-to receiver that many believe he can be.
With new offensive coordinator Joe Brady, new quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and more talented receivers around him on offense, year four might finally be the year Samuel makes the leap.
"It's just to get better and make more big plays for my team, and whenever I got the ball in my hand, be dynamic," Samuel told reporters during his first media availability this Training Camp. "That's why I'm here and that's what the coaches expect from me and that's what I expect from myself. Just go out there and be a dynamic player. Do what I've been doing my whole life and make things happen."
It can be argued that Samuel not being able to show his full potential might be attributed to the switching of quarterbacks the past two years and not being targeted while open, even though he ranked second in separation stats last year, according to FiveThirtyEight.
But Samuel hasn't let that frustrate him.
"Last year is last year," Samuel said. "My job is just to try and get open and give the quarterback a read somewhere to throw the ball. Sometimes I may run a bad route and sometimes the quarterback may throw a bad ball but it is what it is. I can't get frustrated about it. It's about going onto the next play, keep executing and the ball will find me."
Samuel was even mentioned in trade rumors at points this offseason.
"We're past that point, "Samuel said. "I'm a Carolina Panther right now and my focus and my goals are to get better each and every day...I can't worry about the past and whatever happens, I just have to be focused on now and getting better and helping this team out."
New head coach Matt Rhule seems to think if Samuel is used the right way, he'll be a huge part of Carolina's offense.
"The thing that's always intrigued us about Curtis is obviously he has tremendous deep-play ability, he gets behind people, he hasn't always been connected with, but he has the ability to run by people and he's also so versatile," Rhule told reporters last week. "He brings to me, going back to Ohio State, a sense of versatility that we think can be fun and we think we can utilize."
Samuel wouldn't give away any details on what he knows about his role but admitted he will be versatile.
"I'm not really going to get into the details and spoil it but with my skill set, the ability to do so much, outside, inside and play running back...that definitely gives me the flexibility to do more," Samuel said.
With the addition of multiple receivers including Robby Anderson, the Panthers will have plenty of options.
"There is so much speed in our room. So much speed," Samuel said. "You got guys that can just blaze by you. That's a threat and that's something we have to our advantage. When we line up against other defenses, they know they gotta get going."
Samuel went on to elaborate on how much that speed and versatility can be tough for defenses.
"It opens up a lot of things because a lot of defenses and a lot of safeties, they want to back up. They tend to want to play back because they know the speed that they have," Samuel explained. "That allows receivers or tight ends to go underneath routes or even tailbacks. It opens up so much more when you got speed because a lot of guys back up and that creates cushion which opens up space underneath."
It may take time for the new group to adjust, but the 2020 season looks like Samuel might finally have the tools he needs to take that next step.
He's doing everything he can to make sure of that.
"Whatever happened last play, just move on from that and keep getting better, keep getting better, keep getting better," Samuel said. "Working on more speed, trying to get faster. There's no thing as too much speed...Just everything, try to become a better receiver and a better player with the ball in my hands."
And for anyone doubting the Carolina receivers, Samuel isn't worried.
"I ain't worried about anyone else," Samuel said. "I'm worried about the guy that we got in the room and how fast we are. If we worry about ourselves, the sky is the limit."