Courtesy Regina Leader Post:

The CFL playoffs have traditionally been a horror Flick for the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ leading receiver.

Until joining the Roughriders this year, D.J. Flick had dealt with exclusion from or obliteration in the postseason.

In Flick’s one postseason appearance — with the 2004 Hamilton Tiger-Cats — he endured a 24-6 first-round loss to the Toronto Argonauts. Flick missed the playoffs in his next two seasons with Hamilton, over which the Tiger-Cats won a combined nine games.

The Roughriders easily surpassed that victory total in 2007, registering a 12-6 record — good for second place in the West Division. That placing has enabled Saskatchewan to play host to Sunday’s West Division semifinal against the Calgary Stampeders.

“This is very exciting,” said Flick, who led the Roughriders in catches (70), receiving yards (1,020) and TD grabs (10).

“I just go out there and try to take the same approach I would in the regular season, but I do understand there’s a little more hype to the playoffs — one and done. We’ve just go to go out and concentrate on what we do. Hopefully we’ll win and move on to the second round.”

Making the first round constitutes progress. Flick’s teammates have been quick to remind him of that.

“These guys on this team are clowns so, of course, they’ve been making fun of me — saying I’ve never been in the playoffs, or that I’m at home passing out Halloween candy at this time of year,” Flick said with a chuckle.

“It’s a pleasure to be here. I’m looking forward to not just making the playoffs this year, but in the future as well.”

The Roughriders obtained Flick from the Tiger-Cats on Feb. 20. In that deal, Saskatchewan also received offensive lineman Wayne Smith and a second-round choice in the 2007 Canadian college draft. The Riders surrendered quarterback Rocky Butler, plus second- and fifth-round draft picks in 2007.

“D.J’s been a great addition for all the reasons,” Austin said. “D.J.’s a true pro. He prepares well. He practises hard. He cares about his teammates. He’s unselfish. And when the lights are on, he plays.

“He has got what you need to have as a receiver. The No. 1 quality you need to have as a receiver is the ability to make plays. That’s what you have to have, however you makes them, and D.J.’s got that.”

Austin knew that from personal experience. He was the Ottawa Renegades quarterbacks coach in 2003, when Flick played for the now-defunct team.

Flick signed with Hamilton as a free agent in 2004 and made an immediate impact, registering receiving-yardage totals of 1,147 (2004) and 1,245 (2005). However, the Tabbies deemed him expendable after a 52-catch, 693-yard season in 2006.

“When you come to a new team, you never know how the guys are going to accept you or how the coaching staff is going to accept you,” said Flick, 27. “They’ve welcomed me with open arms and I’ve had a lot of fun since I’ve been here.”

And he is having much more fun than usual in November.

“I really feel like I’m a part of a team, whereas in past years you have that team atmosphere, but you really don’t have that close-knit family,” Flick said. “I’m just honoured to be a part of it and I’m looking forward to the future.”