Mace’s message: “Everybody we need is always in the room”

Amid the jubilation in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ locker room, Head Coach Corey Mace issued a reminder to the players.

“I told you from the jump: ‘Everybody we need is always in the room,’ ” he said to considerable applause after a 30-23 victory over the visiting Toronto Argonauts on July 4.

At 4-0, the Roughriders are enjoying their best start since 2013, when what proved to be a championship season began with five victories in succession.

Two years later, long snapper Jorgen Hus joined the Green and White. Nine seasons into his CFL career, he is especially impressed by Mace’s repeated declarations that all the requisite pieces are in place.

“I’ve heard coaches say it over the years at different levels,” Hus said. “That’s what everybody wants to have. Until you actually have it, they’re really just words.

“I really believe that with this team this year, we do have it. We have everything we need. If we stay healthy, I really believe in this team to do really, really good things — things we haven’t been able to do since I’ve been here.

“I love showing up every day with this group. They’re just real dudes all around — players and coaches.”

That is not intended as a slight against former coaches or teammates, but instead as a compliment to everyone affiliated with the Roughriders of 2024.

“First, you’ve got good talent,” Hus said leading up to Saturday’s game against the host B.C. Lions. “You’ve got coaches who have been there before and done that. You’ve got good schemes.

“Mace has done a really good job of promoting that family-first mentality. When players feel that comfort and feel that togetherness, I think it puts a better product on the field.

“All around, it’s just really enjoyable, and we’ve got a real one leading the charge for us. Everybody’s just buying in and when you have all those things, it’s easier to buy in.

“But we’re only four games in, so we’ve got a long way to go. We’ll see how it goes, but I like where we’re at and I like our chances.”

The players have liked Mace and his approach “from the jump,” as he likes to say.

“I don’t think it has been any one thing he has said,” Hus said. “It has just been the vibes. Even in the off-season, everybody was really complimentary of the vibes in the hallways and in the facility.

“Things are just different to it and there’s an energy to it. There’s a lot of positivity. You get fired up to show up and practise. Guys are having fun.”

Especially offensive tackle Jermarcus (Yoshi) Hardrick — a high-profile, high-impact free-agent addition.

“You get guys like Yoshi on your team and it just brings that energy and that swag,” Hus said. “So much comes with that. It’s just a multitude of factors.

“Thanks to Mace for leading the charge on that and making this what it is. It has been awesome to be a part of and I can’t wait to see how this season turns out.”

Although Mace appreciates the praise, he is quick to deflect it back to the players when asked how he reached the conclusion that everyone who is needed is already here.

“It’s just the work that these guys have put in from the jump and the results that we see from ourselves — not specifically when it comes to the games, but just day in and day out,” the Roughriders’ chief strategist said.

“There’s the belief that they have in each other. The guys that we’ve had to bring along the way, they certainly feel like it’s a tight-knit group and that’s really what we’re leaning on, our relationships with each other.”

At what point did Mace arrive at that assessment?

“Pretty early, to be honest with you,” he replied. “I think it was solidified in the first couple of games with the situations we found ourselves in and being able to come out on top.

“It takes a lot and the majority of it is just belief, not only in yourself as a player but in everybody else in the organization. It was nice to see from that standpoint and a huge building block for us.

“You’ve got to put the work in to maintain and also strengthen that relationship.”

The players have been putting in the work since Day 1.

“We’ve got fighters in that room,” cornerback Deontai Williams said. “We’ve got guys who are not willing to quit. We’ve got guys who are willing to work.

“That’s all you need.”