ALLEN PARK -- After giving players the day off on Tuesday, the Detroit Lions will reconvene Wednesday for the fifth practice of training camp. But first, here's a mailbag exploring what we've seen through the first four days of the Matt Patricia era.

Once again and forevermore, thanks to everybody who participated. We'll be rolling out these mailbags weekly henceforth. To submit questions, send a tweet here or an email here. And with that, away we go ...

Q: What's different about the Matt Patricia era so far? I mean I keep reading about how it's more physical and stuff like that, but it's training camp and I feel like everyone talks about stuff like that. So how different is it really? -- mik

A: We're only four days into Patricia's first training camp in Detroit, and just two padded practices at that, so, you know, the usual disclaimers about sample size and whatnot. But with that said, yeah, these practices are absolutely different from what you saw -- and heard -- under Jim Caldwell.

Yes, it's more physical. Like, a lot more. There were some pretty titanic one-on-one battles between offensive and defensive linemen under Caldwell, so it's not like they were out there playing paddycake. But Patricia has taken it to a whole other level. The last two days of practice featured the tight ends taking on the defensive ends in a run-blocking drill I never saw during the Caldwell years. Receivers have locked horns with defensive backs in down-field blocking drills. There have been three-man run blocking drills, and another that had the linemen working on their stunts and combos.

There was, yes, even an Oklahoma drill on Sunday.

The drill features an offensive and defensive player laying the ground, their heads a foot or two apart. At the whistle, the players scramble to their feet and collide into each other, with the offensive player trying to get past the defensive player. It's a physical drill featuring some pretty big hits -- and it's something you never saw during the Caldwell years.

It's not just what you're seeing, either. It's what you're hearing. Team rules prohibit reporters from quoting anybody from practice, but let's just say there were more F-bombs dropped in one 15-second period on the first day of hitting than in all four Caldwell seasons combined.

That's not to say using four-letter words somehow magically wins championships. But the intensity is different. In four years covering Caldwell, I don't remember a single time he raised his voice with a player. In four days covering Patricia's first camp, I've seen him get after several players for blown assignments and other mistakes.

Nice guys can win championships too, but physicality -- or a lack thereof -- had become a problem under Caldwell. Even Bob Quinn acknowledged it after the season. And through four days of the Patricia era, it's clear a new day is here. It's loud, and it's violent.

Q: Can you speak to the differences between travis swanson and graham glasgow. -- @JacobMusic88

A: Since I'm no expert at the position, I've been asking around about this. The two answers I've heard concern availability and attitude. Swanson was a fine player when he was at his best. Just look at his 2016 season, which was pretty good. But he also struggled to stay healthy. Even in his best season, in 2016, he missed four games. He missed another five last year.

Glasgow, meanwhile, didn't miss a snap last year. He hasn't missed a game due to injury since turning pro. And he plays the center position with a fearlessness and tenacity that Swanson simply lacked. He does a better job setting the tone for that unit.

Q: Early call on what surprise player will make the roster. -- @wilranney

A: Well if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise now would it? But I'll tell you this: Brandon Powell is probably going to have a job in September, either on Detroit's roster, somebody else's roster or the practice squad. Just four days into camp, the club is already giving him some looks with Matthew Stafford. Expect to see a lot of him in the preseason as Detroit figures out what kind of commitment it wants to make to the receiver, because he's practicing really well.

Q: Will Dwayne Washington ever be able to see a hole and hit it? -- @jiffypark1971

A: With LeGarrette Blount, Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick, Ameer Abdullah and probably Zach Zenner ahead of him, no, probably not.

Q: The Rookie Guard from Oregon, how is he doing?

A: His name is Tyrell Crosby, and he actually played offensive tackle at Oregon. Some draft analysts thought he might move inside at the next level, but the Lions have worked him a lot as the second-team left tackle. But versatility is king for reserve offensive linemen, and I suspect we'll see him lined up at multiple positions. I had him winning his one-on-one rep Monday, but losing one on Sunday against Jeremiah Valoaga.

Q: Any info on Ameer? How do you see RB's playing out so far? -- @azcwilliams

A: It's really difficult to judge running backs this time of year, but it's worth noting Ameer Abdullah has reported in great shape. He's gotten in some good work too, and been used quite a bit catching the ball out of the backfield. His experience is a huge plus in his competition with Zenner and Washington for the last job in the backfield, although his struggles in pass protection could hurt him. Zenner is a better pass protector and also does more on special teams.

My 2 cents: Blount and Johnson will shoulder the bulk of the rushing load this season. But one is 31 years old, and the other is a rookie. So Detroit could value having an experienced rusher in the fold, and Abdullah's got plenty of it. I think he makes the team, though again, this is a wide-open battle that's a long way from being sorted.

Q: I see that all the o-line and d-line are now wearing knee braces in practice. I don't recall this in the past. I assume this is to reduce potential injuries. Is this new? If so will it continue into the season. -- @brandin_klein

A: Great eye, we were just talking about this the other day at practice. Yes, all the linemen are wearing braces. I don't know if it was mandated from coaches or what, but I'm guessing so because this is new. And, hey, given all the injury problems they had last year up front -- the top offensive line was on the field for just 95 plays all season -- you can't really blame them for being proactive about injury prevention.

Q: I was at practice Sat, it seems much more efficient. No wasted time at all. Is that a huge change from previous regime? I seem to remember a lot of players standing around in 2014. -- @bcoozno

A: I could be wrong here, but my take is the pace of practice has actually ratcheted down a bit. They get in and out of drills a little more laboriously than they did under Jim Caldwell. Of course, we're only four days into the Patricia era, so maybe things will pick up as players become more acclimated to the new staff and drills.

To repeat: I like the practices under Patricia. They're definitely more physical, and the staff isn't nearly as lax about mistakes. If somebody screws up, you're going to hear about it. Plus, the practices have also been longer than they were under Caldwell -- in a couple cases, a lot longer. But if we're talking about the pace itself, I would say it has slowed down a bit so far.

Q: If Nevin Lawson comes off the bench this season, how does Bob Quinn justify the Lawson contract? Lotta cash for a depth corner... -- @joel_vanderhoek

A: Lawson signed a two-year deal worth $9.2 million in the offseason, which sounds like a lot of money. But his average annual salary ($4.6 million) ranks 39th among cornerbacks, which is right in line with his role as a depth guy. He's effectively replacing D.J. Hayden as the top guy off the bench, and he made $3.75 million last year.

Plus, keep in mind that Patricia likes to overload his formations with defensive backs, and that requires having enough bodies on hand to throw out there. Lawson is perfect for such a role because he has the versatility to play multiple positions.

And, hey, if it doesn't work out, the Lions can get out of the deal after this season for about $5.05 million total. Which for one year of work, isn't so bad.

Q: Can I set the over/under bar at 5 for number of times Detroit has a 100 yard rusher this season? -- @bushwood_C

A: Gimme the under there partner, because a) it's the Lions were talking about b) they should be better on the ground, but man, it's the Lions were talking about and c) even if they are better, this will still be a passing offense with a tailback-by-committee approach to the running game.

I suspect we'll see a 100-yard rusher at some point. I also suspect we'll see Matt Patricia do a cartwheel off the podium before we see a fifth 100-yard rusher this year.

Q: What happened to Landes? I mean, the Mule is great, but he ain't immortal. -- @ObiWine_Kenobi

A: Don Muhlbach isn't immortal? What do you mean?