Peter Mortell

Packers release six players

August 29, 2016 By Bill Scott

Jeff Janis

The Green Bay Packers have released a total of six players so far, as they continue to get down to the NFL mandated 75 player roster limit by 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Along with punter Peter Mortell, the Packers also released DT Demetris Anderson, CB Randall Jette, WR Jamel Johnson, WR Ed Williams and LB Derrick Mathews.

The Packers are back on the practice field this afternoon, the first of two final open to the public sessions before the official close of training camp.

Wide receiver Jeff Janis, who fractured a bone in his right hand back on August 10, is practicing for the first time. He has a large club cast on that hand.

In other injury related news, Morgan Burnett has returned from a back injury. He’s been sidelined since August 12. But first round draft pick Kenny Clark, who missed last week’s game at San Francisco, remains out with back issues.

Backup quarterback Brett Hundley has also returned to practice today after re-aggravating an ankle injury a couple of weeks ago. It’s unknown if he’ll try to play this week against Kansas City.

Mortell’s journey comes to an end in Green Bay

August 29, 2016 By Bill Scott

Peter Mortell

Green Bay native Peter Mortell’s attempt to make the Packers 53-man roster came to an end on Monday. Mortell, who grew up in Green Bay and played his high school football at nearby Green Bay Notre Dame high school, was released as the Packers attempt to get down to the mandated roster limit of 75 players by 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Mortell, who went on to punt collegiately at Minnesota, gave veteran Tim Masthay a run for his money. In three preseason games, Mortell punted nine times with a gross average of 45.1 yards and a net average of 42.0. Masthay’s numbers fell short of that, nine punts with a gross average of 42.8 yards and a net average of only 31.6 yards. Masthay did perform slightly better in training camp practices.

It’s the second straight season that Masthay has had to face a competition in training camp. He beat out Cody Mandell last season. [Read more…]

Packers Open OTA workouts to the public today

May 24, 2016 By Bill Scott

Packers workout last season at Ray Nitschke Field.

Green Bay Packers fans can get their first peek at the 2016-17 Green Bay Packers with the start of organized team activities (OTA’s) today.

The last month has been all about weight lifting, conditioning, diet and meetings. Today, players and coaches will practice on Ray Nitschke Field (weather permitting), starting with an 11:30 a.m. practice.

The Packers will be without four rookies, who were drafted from schools that used the quarter system. That means they can’t join their team until their schools graduate.

In the old days, whatever offseason workouts that took place, they did so with little fanfare. Today is different. Fans will fill the stands and be lined up along the fences, watching their favorite players and scouting out the team’s future. [Read more…]

Mortell is in familiar settings at Lambeau Field (AUDIO)

May 11, 2016 By Bill Scott

Peter Mortell at Packers Orientation

Undrafted punters don’t normally draw a lot of attention, but circumstances are different for Green Bay Packers rookie Peter Mortell.

Mortell is from Green Bay. He played his high school football at nearby Green Bay Notre Dame high school. His grandfather was the team’s game clock operator for more than three decades before his father took over in 2000.

Mortell knows his way around Lambeau Field. He’s been attending games since middle school and worked as a game-day assistant in the press box during high school.

After being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota, Mortell said he didn’t seem to be nervous with his surroundings while taking part in the teams rookie orientation last week.

Mortell will be battling with veteran Tim Masthay for the Packers’ punting job. But Mortell said he isn’t looking at this as competing against Masthay, rather an opportunity to learn. [Read more…]