DEPERE, Wis. -- Here are five observations from the Packers' training camp.

1. Defensive tackle Gilbert Brown is still a force. The Packers ran a lot of running plays in which offensive linemen pulled to get an angle block on a tackle. Several times, Brown stood up the charging blocker and bent him back. Middle linebacker Hardy Nickerson says no one is better in the middle than Brown, who is the best friend of a middle linebacker because he keeps blockers off the position. Too bad he's able to play only about a quarter of the defensive snaps.

2. Donald Driver is the sleeper receiver of the Packers. He's probably best suited for being a No. 3 receiver. Driver has a shifty, deceiving style of running routes and he seems to catch anything near him. Charles Lee also has good hands. Ferguson has a Sterling Sharpe-type body, but after spending last season on the inactive list most of the time, he is still trying to get the street ball out of his system. Javon Walker shows flashes of greatness, but he, too, is learning.

3. Middle linebacker Nickerson, 36, is getting rave reviews during early camp for the way he has handled the leadership role. During Saturday's practice, Nickerson made some nice stops on running plays. Unlike his past stops in Tampa Bay and Jacksonville, Nickerson isn't the impact player who can propel a good defense into being a great one. His job with the Packers is to make the right reads, provide leadership and solidify the interior of the run defense.

4. As much as the Packers will miss Dorsey Levens, they should be able to get by if anything happens to Ahman Green for a week or two. Jason Brookins has lost weight since his 250-pound plus days in Baltimore and runs with authority. Ki-Jana Carter is a steady, experienced hand as a backup.

5. With return specialist Allen Rossum moving to Atlanta, the Packers are counting on Darrien Gordon to handle the return game. Aside from questions about Terry Glenn and the other receivers, Packers fans want to know about the returner because they know his value in putting the team in good field position. Gordon would be available as an emergency cornerback, but his main role is a big subject in town.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.