Do the Bucs need a fullback at all?

Lane hopeful there's still a place for fullbackGreg Auman, Times Staff WriterMonday, August 31, 2015Jorvorskie Lane was limited by injuries and suspension to nine games with the Bucs last season.AP photoJorvorskie Lane is the only fullback remaining on the Bucs roster, but he understands in today's NFL that's not the same thing as being assured of a roster spot when final cuts are made."I don't take anything for granted," said Lane, limited by injuries and suspension to nine games with the Bucs last season. "I look at it as my job is always up. Everybody is kind of wishy-washing away from the fullback. I treat every day like it could be me."Lane has had an extra motivation in camp, knowing the Bucs had used a seventh-round draft pick at his position, taking Hawaii's Joey Iosefa. The Bucs waived Iosefa as part of their first round of cuts Sunday, and Lane said the draft pick was something that drove him since April."Me being me, I took it real personal," Lane said. "I made sure I put myself in shape, got my injury straight. I took it personal.When Lane was sidelined last season, the Bucs used tight end Luke Stocker as a fullback, and the move worked well enough they could opt not to carry a fullback at all, using Stocker when they need a blocking back. Out of 55 offensive plays in Saturday's preseason game, the Bucs utilized their fullbacks on just seven snaps, though Lane had another six plays on special teams as a blocker on kickoff returns.Lane's weight has fluctuated throughout his playing career -- he played at 280 pounds and more at Texas A&M, but said he's at 265 right now and "real happy with that." Thursday's preseason finale in Miami will offer another motivation -- Lane played for the Dolphins in 2012, starting five games and scoring three touchdowns, but he was cut the next year and was out of the league until the Bucs signed him in 2014."In that situation, I take it personal," he said. "They cut me. They're going to see 46 a lot. I remember everything. You can't have a better game than playing against the team that cut you."