SASKATOON — Moving from end was just the beginning for Mike Rose.
Rose, a first-year member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive line, was a CFL rookie in 2017 when he joined the Calgary Stampeders.
As a defensive end.
That didn’t last for long.
Then-Stampeders Defensive Line Coach Corey Mace — now the Roughriders’ chief strategist — had a suggestion.
“The moment I walked in the door, he literally told me, ‘Hey, man, you’re playing defensive tackle,’ ” the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Rose recalled. “I asked him why. He said, ‘I think you’ll be more successful,’ and that’s just how it went.”
Three All-CFL selections and one Grey Cup championship later …
“You’ve got to trust somebody who moves you from D-end to D-tackle after you’ve been playing D-end your whole life and it works out,” Rose said with a smile. “I definitely thought I was a D-end, but he had a different vision and it worked out for me.
“From the outside in, looking at it now, I kind of wish somebody would have told me this earlier. Maybe I could have had a few more earlier all-stars. I don’t know.
“The biggest thing for me is that you’ve got to trust in Mace and good things happen.”
For example, Rose is a three-time All-CFL selection as a defensive tackle.
“He came in probably at about 270,” Mace said, rewinding to 2017. “When they’re around that weight, you’re usually thinking, ‘Can they move inside?’ He was physical enough to do it.
“The biggest key is, ‘Can they handle the physicality in the run game?’ He has obviously shown throughout his career that he’s able to do that.
“Now I think he loves it, so he’s happy and we’re happy.”
The Roughriders were very happy to sign Rose on Feb. 3rd, just one week after he was released by Calgary despite earning divisional All-CFL honours in 2024.
“It’s great to be here and play for the best coach in the league, Corey Mace,” Rose stated at Coors Light Training Camp, which is being held at Griffiths Stadium.
“He’s a good people person. He knows how to talk to people. He knows how to lead men.
“I came here for Corey Mace and he can help me get to my potential.”
The latter comment was an eyebrow-raiser.
Rose has been one of the CFL’s elite players for several seasons now … and he hasn’t reached his potential?!
“The only thing I haven’t done is win another Grey Cup or an MODP (Most Outstanding Defensive Player award),” Rose responded. “That’s it. The goal is the Grey Cup. MODP, that’s fine, but I want the Grey Cup.
“I feel like I’m in a great situation to actually achieve it and I feel like I’m with a bunch of guys who want to achieve it.”
PLAYS OF THE DAY
Tuesday’s highlight reel included two long touchdown passes from Trevor Harris to Joe Robustelli during a 12-on-12 exercise.
Asked about Robustelli during a post-practice interview, Mace said: “He just broke the team down, so I thought highly of him.”
The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder, who has run the 40-yard dash in an economical 4.40 seconds, is entering his second year in the CFL. He made his pro debut in the Roughriders’ 2024 regular-season finale.
“I’m just really happy for the kid,” Mace said. “I know how hard he works.
“He spent the majority of the year with us on the practice roster and he made us better defensively. He only knows one speed for himself and, certainly, he’s getting a chance to showcase it now.
“I’m really pleased with Joe.”
Also of note on Tuesday …
• The Roughriders’ quarterbacks — Harris, Jack Coan, Jake Maier and Tommy Stevens — combined to go 15-for-20 in 12-on-12 situations during the first padded practice of 2025.
• The first 14 passes were caught. Twelve of them were receptions and two were interceptions, by DeMarcus Fields and A.J. Allen. The latter pick was returned for a touchdown.
• Returning front-line safety Nelson Lokombo had two pass breakups within a span of three plays late in the session.
• De’Sean Mimbs was the favourite target during 12-on-12 competition. He made three catches. Robustelli, Dhel Duncan Busby, Dohnte Meyers and KeeSean Johnson had two each. Khalan Laborn, Brayden Misseri, Trent Pennix and Daniel Wiebe had singles.
• Laborn was the busiest running back, with four carries. Pennix (two) and Mario Anderson (one) also accepted handoffs. The other running play was a scramble by Maier.
• Eric Black (defence) and Daniel Johnson (offence) were conspicuous in one-on-one lineman drills.
