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Cheese Curds, 2/14: Butler hopes for HOF nod, practice squad players aim for Packers' 53

One of the greatest and most versatile safeties in the history of the NFL continues to hope to receive pro football's ultimate individual honor.

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There are plenty of football players from teams all around the NFL who probably deserve to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame but who, for some reason or another, remain unrecognized. We discussed several of them on Monday, but one in particular is finding himself in the news today after a player at his position was chosen for induction recently.

Safeties are a strange breed, and over the next several years there should be a handful who get in. Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu are virtual locks, and with a safety being inducted each of the last two years (John Lynch in 2016 and Kenny Easley in 2017), hopefully this Green Bay Packers great gets some momentum soon.

Meanwhile, the Packers have plenty of players fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster, let alone a chance at history. One such player is discussed in today's Cheese Curds, and he occupies a position that has seen several unheralded players make contributions in the last decade-plus.

LeRoy Butler hopes Easley nod could open door for safeties | Packers.com
On Monday, we talked about Butler being one of the most overlooked Packers in franchise history, so this is very timely.

Land of opportunity for Sandland with Packers | Packersnews.com
Beau Sandland was a rookie tight end last year who finished the season on the practice squad; in recent years, that has often been a path to the 53-man roster at the tight end position.

T.J. Lang could leave Pro Bowl-sized hole on Packers' offensive line - ESPN
If Lang indeed does not return, what is the best plan forward to replace him? Re-signing JC Tretter? Moving Bryan Bulaga in to guard and putting Jason Spriggs at right tackle?

New York Giants release wide receiver Victor Cruz - NFL.com
The Giants will save $7.5 million in salary cap money by cutting Cruz, who missed all of 2015 and most of 2014 with injuries.

PFF Scouting Report | Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama | PFF
Our Owen Riese provided his breakdown of Williams on Monday; click here to see what PFF thinks of the Crimson Tide pass-rusher.

How does the NFL franchise tag work and how much do players get paid? - SBNation.com
Starting tomorrow, NFL teams can start designating Franchise and Transition players. Don't expect Ted Thompson to use either tag, however.