Lions updates from Lions president Tom Lewand’s conference call with season ticket holders today (Valentine’s Day):

— Discussions have started with Cliff Avril, Eric Wright, Jeff Backus and Stephen Tulloch, all unrestricted free agents. NFL free agency opens on March 13.

— Running backs Jahvid Best (concussion) and Mikel Leshoure (Achilles) are rehabbing well and are expected to be able to participate in the offseason program which starts in April. At the same time Lewand said they will be on the lookout for running backs because they don’t want to put all their eggs in the basket of two guys coming back from injury.

— Jeff Backus is recovering incredibly well from surgery just after the season to repair a torn biceps which he injured in the playoff game.

— While Lewand applauds the NFL expansion to Europe, the Lions want no part of giving up a home game to play a game in London. They want eight home games for their fans. He didn’t say it, but of course they wouldn’t want to lose income from a home game either.

— If a quarterback is the best player available at the 23rd spot in the draft, the Lions will not draft him.

— Lewand said salary cap number is tough to explain. It’s a process, must keep within cap while projecting into future. Lions were one of 20 teams that borrowed from the cap in the 2011 season.

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