Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

Every week during the Detroit Lions season we’ll do a Twitter mailbag. Use the social media site to send your questions to Lions beat writer Dave Birkett at @davebirkett.

Q. Does Washingtons preseason production move him closer or ahead of Zenner in terms of being the "bruiser" back? — @PFoSho

A. Seventh-round pick Dwayne Washington had an impressive exhibition season, especially when you consider how much time he missed in the spring. Washington led the Lions with 104 yards rushing on 18 carries and had a 96-yard kickoff return touchdown.

I still expect Zach Zenner to play as the third running back behind Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick next Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, though there’s not much separating the two. Washington is the more electric runner, but Zenner is better in pass protection (something that’s often overlooked), and he has pretty good vision, too.

There’s no guarantee Washington will be active if he doesn’t win the kick-return job — Zenner is the better overall special-teams player. But that’s a spot that certainly could change during the season and based on matchups.

Q. How critical are the first 4 games for the Lions, especially when you consider last year's winless start? — @ajortiz3

A. There’s no understating how important it is for the Lions to get off to a good start. Last year, when they lost five straight to open the season and started 1-7, they became irrelevant in the NFL and somewhat locally outside of the Jim Caldwell Job Watch.

The Lions don’t have nearly as difficult a schedule early or overall this year, though playing three of the first four games on the road won’t be easy. It’s crucial the Lions win their home opener against an improved Tennessee team, and they need at least one more win in the first month of the season (neither the Colts nor Bears are anything special) to stamp themselves as legitimate playoff contenders.

The NFC is defined by its mediocrity, but another slow start will lead to more questions about Caldwell’s future and put first-year general manager Bob Quinn under an intense spotlight.

Q. How many games does this team need to win for Caldwell to keep his job? — @Craig_P_G

A. It feels like I get a version of this question every week, but to build off the last question, I suspect the Lions need to at least be a relevant, playoff-contending team in order for Caldwell to return for the 2017 season.

Quinn told me last month there is no mandate for Caldwell in terms of number of wins or even making the playoffs, and that’s the right approach. If Matthew Stafford goes down and the Lions still cobble together a .500 record, Caldwell will be in the running for coach of the year. But barring some disaster, this team needs to take a considerable step forward this year or else the first-year GM should continue building his program with his own coach.

Q. What is the biggest area of concern going into the season opener? — @Stephypooooooo

A. For my money, the biggest question about this team still is the offensive line. The first-team line played about a game’s worth of snaps this exhibition season. Stafford was sacked four times, fumbled twice and the unit had penalties and run-blocking breakdowns that stalled drives.

I think the group will be better as a whole. Riley Reiff seems at home at right tackle, and Larry Warford is healthy after injuries derailed his season last year. But Taylor Decker will have some rookie growing pains, and Laken Tomlinson and Travis Swanson were up and down in the exhibition season.

There are other concerns. Is DeAndre Levy the same player we saw in 2014? How effective can the Lions be running the ball? Will Stafford put together a consistent year? But the play up front is crucially important.

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!