Dave Waddell
Postmedia News

WINDSOR, Ont -- Picking up hardware at the Grey Cup was nothing new for Josh Bourke.

The Montreal Alouettes left tackle had won the league title the past two years, but it felt awfully odd this fall attending the festivities in Vancouver to collect the CFL award as the top offensive lineman and leave without the Grey Cup.

“It’s been very strange,” said the six-foot-seven, 315-pound Bourke of not having to plan his day with the Grey Cup.

“I was at the Grey Cup for the awards. Seeing two other teams preparing and the media stuff surrounding the game, it was bizarre that these teams were in that position and we weren’t.

“You don’t take getting there for granted, but it’s expected in Montreal. Our organization has done a great job in recent years.

“It was so different being there. I can tell you I’d much rather have been there to play than to collect any awards.”

Still, it’s always nice to be recognized for your performance.

“It definitely leaves you feeling good about yourself to be recognized,” Bourke said. “You want to be the best at your position. That’s why you play sports, to compete.

“To get that respect is humbling. It’s a nice consolation prize.” Bourke’s season was in contrast to his team’s roller-coaster campaign. There were few ups and downs in his personal performance.

“I think that’s what I’m happiest about, the consistency from game to game,” Bourke said. “I graded out pretty well most games.

“That’s what you’re working toward as a lineman. I still feel I have room to grow next season. “It’s a very technical position and you can always improve your footwork or your hands. If you don’t, someone is coming to compete for your job.”

A four-time all-star at left tackle since debuting with Montreal in 2008, Bourke was quietly re-signed by the team this past July. He now has a contract through the 2013 season.

“You never know how a team will approach you in your final year, but they wanted to get it out of the way,” Bourke said. “I’m happy with the deal. It allowed me to not let the contract become a distraction.”

Bourke said he really didn’t seriously consider testing free agency and giving the NFL another shot. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers out of Grand Valley State in May, 2006. The Packers released him in June, 2007.

“I’m 29 now and I think that ship has sailed,” Bourke said. “I had a few NFL workouts last year and that’s a dream for every player, to play in the best league in the world.

“But I’m comfortable and happy with my situation in Montreal. It’s a great organization.”

Bourke also understands he’s extremely valuable to the Alouettes being a Canadian.

“There are only a couple of starters at left tackle in the league who are Canadians,” Bourke said. “The guy in Saskatchewan (Alexandre Gauthier) is another.

“It’s not viewed as a position for Canadians. I don’t know the reason why that is, but most left tackles are Americans.

“It’s like quarterback. You’d think there’d be someone in the country that could play.”

In this instance, that historical precedent was to Bourke’s advantage.

“It was great for me come contract time,” Bourke said. “It gave me leverage. If you can get a Canadian at the position, that frees up an import spot for the team to maybe get another import somewhere else.

“Maybe with a few Canadians playing left tackle, we can pave the way for others to play the left side.”

This off-season, aside from his usual plans to travel extensively, will be a bit different.

Bourke suffered a season-ending torn pectoral muscle in the regular-season’s second last game.

After resting it for the better part of a month, Bourke is now into the rehab phase.

“I had surgery on Nov. 7 and I was in an immobilization sling for three weeks,” Bourke said. “It was kind of painful.

“Since I’ve gotten out of that, I’m feeling awesome. I’m doing range of motion and isometric stuff.

“I hope I can keep progressing like this, so I can start on my strength and cardio.”

Bourke said the core of the Alouettes is still strong and, with a little tweaking, Montreal will be back in the mix for the Grey Cup.

“There’s always new faces in pro sports,” Bourke said. “I don’t think we’ll make wholesale changes.

“We just have to get better. At the end of the day, we came up short.

“I think we’ll be back with the hunger that maybe we didn’t have last season. We’ll be a contender again.”