The Saskatchewan Roughriders begin defense of their Grey Cup championship tonight when they host the Edmonton Eskimos.

     The critics and football experts have been giving the Riders a hard time lately, with the major off-season changes, they aren't giving the Green and White's repeat bid much of a chance.

     Receiver DJ Flick says Saskatchewan does have a hard time getting respect in the CFL, but he thinks the team relishes it and they know what they are capable of on the field and that's what they want to show all the fans.

     Flick is looking forward to making a statement early in tonight's game, that they are going to pick up where they left off, and make it even better than last year.

     Kick-off from Mosaic Stadium is at 5:30pm tonight.