As a former defensive tackle, Corey Mace always appreciates a good line.
Consider, for example, the one-liner the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ head coach delivered the other day when he was asked what middle linebacker Jameer Thurman brings to the team.
“Not much …,” Mace said, pausing for comedic effect.
Having masterfully milked the joke, he proceeded to answer the question and articulate his long-standing appreciation of Thurman.
“It’s how he attacks it,” Mace said. “He’s got a professional approach. He’s all business.”
That is a first-hand assessment, considering that Mace and Thurman were colleagues with the Calgary Stampeders during the 2017, 2018 and 2021 CFL seasons.
Thurman also played for the Stampeders in 2022 before spending last season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Mace was the defensive line coach in Calgary from 2016 to 2021. He spent the subsequent two seasons as the Toronto Argonauts’ defensive co-ordinator before being named the Roughriders’ field boss on Nov. 30.
Along with being the head coach in Saskatchewan, Mace will continue to choreograph the defence. One of his foundational players will be Thurman, who was a high-priority free agent signing on Feb. 13.
“On the defence, middle linebacker is kind of an anointed position, similar to quarterback,” Mace said. “This team has been blessed to have L.D. (Larry Dean) for the last few years and Thurm has a lot of the same qualities.
“To even have L.D. in the building is a plus for us.”
After exceeding 100 defensive tackles in back-to-back seasons, Dean retired as a player earlier this year to accept a new role as the player personnel co-ordinator.
Dean’s 104 defensive tackles ranked him fifth in the league last season, when he was a West Division All-Star.
Thurman’s 98 tackles, a career high, placed him seventh in the league. He added five sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and four pass knockdowns.
“I’ve been pretty consistent over the years with having top play throughout the league and I thought that me coming back and playing with (Mace) would even take my game to the next level,” Thurman said.
“We’ve been through a lot of years together. There’s our relationship of knowing each other and knowing what we want — that’s to win a Grey Cup. Having that common goal is everything.”
Speaking a common language is also beneficial.
“Having some experience in the defence, he’s able to help the young guys out,” Mace noted. “He understands what the standard is supposed to look like from an organizational standpoint.
“Just having his vocal presence out there, you’re going to run and hit and do all the right things that coaches look for. It’s another thing that you hope is infectious for everybody else.”
The 29-year-old Thurman has already embraced that role.
“I just try to help guys out as much as I can and try to see the full picture,” he said.
“A lot of guys learn the playbook and everything and they want to focus on just their job, but I try to tell them, ‘Once you know everyone else’s job around you, you play faster.’ ”
Which, of course, is the objective.
“We’re going to be physical and we’re going to be fast,” Thurman said leading up to Saturday’s regular-season opener against the host Edmonton Elks (2 p.m., TSN, CKRM).
“Guys are flying around out there and making plays and guys are hitting — and we can’t wait to hit someone else.”
