"I feel like we're getting better, and we're growing into a group that's willing to help each other succeed," he said. "Guys are willing to run dummy routes to get another guy open, and we have no prima donnas."
Asked about not getting the ball to Bryant much yet, Dilfer said, "We're not calling plays to get guys balls. We're calling plays to install the system, so it's very hard to judge productivity on preseason. Don't worry. A.B. is going to catch plenty of balls this season."
Bryant, who threw the key block that sprung Droughns for an extra 20 yards on his catch and run, said he's not concerned about the preseason stats.
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"When the season starts, the involvement of the major role players and the evolution of the offense will all take place," he said. "We have great potential and we can do anything we want. It just depends on if all of our guys are going to be committed and make the personal sacrifices to put forth the maximum effort for the team."
Dilfer said he and Northcutt spent extra time after practice on Sunday working on the two plays they failed to execute against the Panthers.
"That's the kind of thing these guys are willing to do to get better," he said.
He also said his timing with Edwards is improving.
"We have a lot of work to do, I think he'd be the first to tell you that," said Dilfer. "There's a lot of nonverbal communication that needs to get good between us. He's handling it like a professional, but this whole year will be a learning process for him. The key is, we still need him to make plays for us while he's learning."
Green, who's in his fourth season, said, "This is the best I've felt about the offense since I've been here."
He said Dilfer is the main reason for that.
"I think that's what we were missing," he said. "You've got a guy that everybody respects and listens to, rather than having two guys that nobody really respects, so that even when they talk, nobody really listens. When Trent talks, people definitely listen."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670