Bars, Kneipen und Restaurants!!! » rson gave the Raiders a big boost at

Martin Wolfie Adams shares his thoughts on returning to the Grand Slam, singing at the darts, his health scare, and missing a pre-match drink... At the age of 60, Adams has seen it, done it, and worn the t-shirt, with that identifiable nickname of Wolfie emblazoned on the back. The three-time Lakeside champion caused a stir in the sport when he finally agreed to take part in last years Grand Slam of Darts, a tournament which pits BDO players against their rivals from the PDC. Not even an ongoing battle with cancer could prevent the much-loved Adams from returning this year, such was his enjoyment of that maiden appearance. Martin Adams registered three three-figure checkouts in a group stage victory over Ian White He lets out that familiar throaty chuckle when asked about the prospect of facing the big names from the PDC again at Wolverhampton.Were all darts players, we can all do it on our day, Adams told Sky Sports.Its not like anyone is playing with four darts and youve got one poor bloke only playing with three or two. Its a level playing field.Adams has been drawn in the same group as Michael van Gerwen, the PDCs all conquering world no 1, and they will share the oche this Saturday night, live on Sky Sports. MVG: The greatest or the best? Michael van Gerwen reveals psychology needed to overthrow Phil Taylor Few have been able to thwart MVG on his relentless title hunt this year, but Adams has been on the receiving end of painful upsets himself, and will be hoping to display the vintage finishing that saw him progress from his group in 2015. Its all about having an enjoyable game, playing the best you can and entertaining the crowd that youve got with you. Martin Adams Darts is very much on the day, he said. We all have our bad days. Youve seen that with the Grand Prix. Someone you might expect to win, this time round hes lost. A bad day at the office, so you shrug your shoulders, put it behind you, and move on.Its all about having an enjoyable game, playing the best you can and entertaining the crowd that youve got with you. Adams admits the atmosphere has changed at live matches Wolf howls filled the air as Adams, ever the entertainer, happily interacted with the vociferous crowd at Wolverhamptons Civic Hall.But the veteran freely admits that sold-out arenas with a raucous atmosphere are far removed from the venues where he learned his trade.There is a lot more crowd noise than there ever used to be, said Adams. I remember the days of flat caps and playing with your jackets on, and stuff like that. The 60-year-old enjoyed his first appearance at the tournament in 2015 It was all deadly quiet in the pub when you were playing darts. If people sneezed, there was always someone that got upset about it.Its got a lot more noisier and rowdier, but I just hope and pray that it never really gets out of control. The singing and the chanting, if thats what people want to do, at the end of the day they have paid for their tickets.I cant say I wholeheartedly agree with it. But they have bought their tickets havent they? Mardles group of death Wayne Mardle selects most dangerous group in Grand Slam of Darts One of the time honoured traditions that Adams missed 12 months ago, was a swift pint in the practice room.The absence of a bar was greeted with disbelief and Adams joked about the lack of banter as he rubbed shoulders with players from the PDC.I just couldnt believe what I was seeing, laughed Adams. There was no bar in the players room, thats got to be sorted out. People have a little drink, have a chat, and there is always a few wind-ups, a bit of banter going on and so forth. Martin Adams A lot of players like a good drink when theyre playing and before they are playing, maybe a couple of bevvies afterwards. If youre at one of the ranking events - I dont know what their PDC ones are like because Ive never been to one - but at our ranking events, there is always a bar. People have a little drink, have a chat, and there is always a few wind-ups, a bit of banter going on and so forth. I missed that side of it. Grand Slam order of play The full order of play for the Grand Slam of Darts. A shock to the system is how Adams described his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, but his long-standing love for the game remains and he will be sporting that trademark smile, regardless of the result.If I take part in a tournament, I take it as it comes, said Adams. If it goes well, it goes well, if it dont, it dont.Exhibitions are obviously a lot easier to do. You havent got to worry about form, you just throw the darts and have a bit of a fun along the way, even if you lose a few more than maybe you would do. Youve just got to keep laughing.Watch Martin Adams against Michael van Gerwen in the evening session on day one of the Grand Slam of Darts, starting at 7.30pm on Sky Sports 5. Also See: MVG faces Adams in Grand Slam Mardles group of death MVG: The greatest or the best? Grand Slam order of play Ruben Loftus-Cheek Jersey . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Marcin Bulka Jersey . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. http://www.chelseasoccerjerseysonline.com/womens-callum-hudson-odoi-chelsea-jersey/ . PAUL, Minn. Ethan Ampadu Jersey . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. Cesc Fabregas Chelsea Jersey . The third-ranked Ivanovic, who won the event in 2008 and 10, served five aces and broke Wickmayer, also a former winner in 2009, five times. "The result looked easier than it really was," Ivanovic said. ALAMEDA, Calif. -- After 13 straight seasons without a winning record, playoff berth or even much hope most years, the Oakland Raiders head into training camp this year with an unfamiliar burden: expectations.Two strong draft classes that brought in core players such as quarterback Derek Carr, pass rusher Khalil Mack and receiver Amari Cooper followed by a productive free agent shopping spree have put the Raiders into position to contend for the first time in years.Its a great thing that people are talking about us in that light because when I first got here, they werent, Carr said.So its a credit to where weve come from and thats about it. Its a credit to what weve done. Last year on the field was improvement, it was better than my rookie year, obviously. As a team, we were better. Thats the same kind of thing we want this year. We need to be better than 7-9.The Raiders more than doubled their win total last season in the first year under coach Jack Del Rio, improving from 3-13 to 7-9.Now they will try to ignore all the praise and make that even harder next step from mediocrity to legitimate contender.Its easy to get caught in that trap, Mack said. Thats not what were about. Were about the grind. Were about working hard, committing ourselves to excellence and going out and winning. Thats what its really all about.To help make that move, general manager Reggie McKenzie made some key additions this offseason, adding one of the top available offensive linemen on the market in power-blocking guard Kelechi Osemele, top-flight cornerback Sean Smith, pass rusher Bruce Irvin and playmaking safety Reggie Nelson.But the Raiders fortunes will rest on the performances of Carr, Mack and Cooper.Carr took a big step forward in year two, throwing for 32 touchdowns and 3,987 yards. The addition of Cooper played a big part in that as Oakland had a 1,000-yard receiver for the first time in a decade.Mack led the way on the defensive side with 15 sacks to become a first-team All Pro at both linebacker and defensive end.Here are some things to watch for the Raiders this season:STOUT LINE: McKenzie has made it a priority to build his team from the trenches and the move to sign Osemele fits into thaat strategy.dddddddddddd The addition of another top inside blocker to go with last years big acquisition at center in Rodney Hudson and the third-year starter Gabe Jackson should boost the running game. Donald Penn is back as a capable blindside protector and Austin Howard will compete with Menelik Watson for the right tackle spot on what looks like one of the top lines in the league.Its a big physical group, Del Rio said. They kind of lead the way, create some running room, create a nice pocket for Derek. ... It all starts with our guys up front.PASS RUSH DUO: Mack emerged as a star last season with 15 sacks to along with the stout run defense he showed the previous year as a rookie. Now he should have some help on the other side with the signing of Irvin, who had 22 sacks in four seasons with Seattle. The Raiders plan to use Irvin even more as a pass rusher than the Seahawks did.BACKUP BACK: Latavius Murray ran for 1,066 yards in his first season as a starter. But he slumped late in games, averaging 2.2 yards per carry in the fourth quarter, and late in the season, with his average carry dropping from 4.8 yards in the first half to 3.3 in the final eight games. No other running back had more than 25 carries or 110 yards. That led to the addition of fifth-round pick DeAndre Washington, who is being counted on to give Murray needed support.STEPPED UP SECONDARY: Waiver-wire pickup David Amerson gave the Raiders a big boost at cornerback in the second half of last season after struggling in Washington. He will have some needed help on the other side with the addition of Smith and what had been a position of weakness for years now might be a strength. Oakland hopes former first-round pick DJ Hayden can fill the slot cornerback role.LOOKING FOR LEADERS: With the retirements of Charles Woodson and Justin Tuck, the Raiders have a void in leadership that they hope will be filled by a combination of the playoff-tested veterans added in free agency and the young core led by Carr and Mack.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '