Courtesy Montreal Gazette:
If this is the end for offensive-lineman Dave Mudge, the epilogue to a solid 10-year Canadian Football League career by a consummate pro and classy individual, at least he gets to go out with his head high – in uniform.

Mudge, 34, expects to be on the Alouettes’ 42-man roster this Saturday when Montreal meets the Edmonton Eskimos in the East Division final at Olympic Stadium. He might not play much – mostly inserted as a tight end on short-yardage situations – but it might be his last opportunity at contact on the field and to experience the ecstasy that comes from a potential division crown.

“I’ve been a spectator most of the season,” said the 6-foot-7, 304- pound behemoth, “so it’ll be nice to help out in a big game. It’ll be exciting.

“At my age,” he added, “you have to have fun with each opportunity and do what you can.”

Mudge is expected to replace Luke Fritz, Montreal’s sixth lineman, on the roster against the Eskimos. Fritz didn’t practise for the second consecutive day because of a pulled quad. The injury is not considered serious, and should the Als advance to the Grey Cup then Fritz might well heal in time to be activated the following weekend.

Mudge, in the option year of his contract and eligible to become a free agent in February, might well be playing the final game of his distinguished career. But that’s a decision for another day. For now, 2009 isn’t Mudge’s focus.

The 2008 season has been mostly bittersweet for Mudge, who came to the Als in a 2005 trade from Winnipeg for Aaron Fiacconi and future considerations. Mudge was Montreal’s starting right tackle for three games, playing ahead of Jeff Perrett. Perrett was forced to play left tackle for Josh Bourke, who was recovering from a knee injury.

Mudge himself, coincidentally, suffered an injury to his right knee in that third game, against Calgary. The injury wasn’t considered serious at the time. However, he subsequently was placed on the nine-game injured list that ended in late September, against Saskatchewan. Mudge has been on the reserve list since – one of the 46 players Montreal has declared, but not among the 42 dressing for games. A cheerleader, albeit one who continued receiving his regular game cheque. A classy move, undoubtedly, by the organization.

“They were quite clear when I came back (from injury) my job would be as a reserve, doing what I can,” he said.

We’ll never know what might have transpired had Mudge remained healthy, but the Als long have been bullish on Bourke and Perrett. Bourke recently turned 26, and is two years older than Perrett. Mudge said his play this season was adequate, admitting he struggled with and could have adjusted quicker to the team’s new blocking schemes.

“To be honest, I don’t know what would have happened,” Mudge said. “I know Bourke is an excellent offensive lineman who was coming off a knee. And Perrett’s excellent. We’ve got a lot of good linemen and only so many spots.

“I try not to look back, but it’s frustrating when you get older. Things you used to do (naturally) you have to be smarter about. You have to rely on your positioning more than being physical.”

Born in Whitby, Ont., Mudge originally was drafted 24th overall by Toronto in 1997, but signed with the Buffalo Bills the following year, remaining on the team’s practice roster that season. Following a stint in NFL

Europe, he returned to the Bills, only to be released, launching his CFL career.

He was traded to the Blue Bombers in April 2000, enjoying his finest seasons there. Mudge was named the league’s outstanding offensive lineman in 2001, and is a two-time CFL all-star. He has played in three Grey Cups – two with the Als – but never has captured a championship and realizes time’s running short.

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