Die Macht » action.BALTIMORE -- Ravens wide receiver?Steve S

Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade kicked off the Premier League Darts season with impressive victories but there were difficult defeats for Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor.REPORT: Barney batters Taylor All the details from Leeds on PL opening night Ah, weve missed the darts! But what did we learn from last Thursdays opening night in Leeds?Weve looked back over the results and given our assessment… When will Wade get credit? James Wade v Michael Van Gerwen - Premier League Darts Wade can be world beater Wayne Mardle credits The Machine Has anybody out there backed James Wade to be crowned 2016 Premier League Darts champion? If not, why not? The Machine outplayed Michael van Gerwen and defeated the worlds top player 7-4 having conceded the first three legs yet isnt always mentioned among the likeliest contenders for the top prizes.Hes No 6 in the world and reached the top of the mountain in 2009 in the Premier League so knows what it takes to lift the big trophies. People arent beating Michael when they have their chance, Wade told Sky Sports before their match-up and it appeared like he would join that unsuccessful list when he went 3-0 down.But Wades darts are meticulous and methodical, rather than the type of explosiveness than Van Gerwen demonstrated in the video above. Perhaps thats why Van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and co are frequently favoured above Wade, but the Aldershot thrower proved on the opening night that he has the arsenal to beat anybody.Barney can still rise to the occasion Highlights as Barney defeated Taylor At this point in his career, we know that Raymond van Barneveld has the audacity to defeat any player on the PDC roster but the issue arises when he must do it consistently. Take the World Championships in January, for example, when he delivered a classic display to eliminate Van Gerwen but was then flung out by Adrian Lewis.He threw with almost unerring accuracy at his doubles in a 7-2 thrashing of Phil Taylor on the Premier Leagues opening night. Hitting all six of his first darts at a double, he then crucially missed as he threw for a tournament record. It didnt matter, as Taylor had already been overwhelmed by this point and Van Barneveld cruised over the finishing line.The result cant be attributed to Taylors performance - he hit a lovely 113 checkout - because Van Barneveld simply didnt give him a moment to breathe. Its a perfect start for the Dutch master, the 2014 Premier League winner, but will he still be competitive by the time we head to his home country for the Rotterdam leg?MvG isnt unbeatable MVG hit this stunning checkout... but it wasnt enough No sportsman or woman is indestructible but Van Gerwens form over the past couple of years makes him as intimidating as any of his dominant peers across other sporting landscapes. That fearsome reputation has been earned but weve seen a few cracks in the windscreen recently.Wade wore him down with relentless scoring last Thursday, and it wasnt long before an uncomfortable Van Gerwen had a frustrated scowl on his face. He won last week Masters in Milton Keynes but losing to Wade was his first Sky Sports appearance since he was beaten by Van Barneveld at Ally Pally. Your memory might even stretch far back enough to remember Van Gerwens shock loss to Robert Thornton in the World Grand Prix final in October.Of course, these examples of defeat are hand-picked and do not reflect the green-clad Dutchmans vice-like grip over darts. Although Anderson might be creeping up on Van Gerwens No 1 spot dont expect him to remain in the losing column for long. And who does Van Gerwen play next week in the Premier League? Anderson.Premier League is a baptism of fire Funny moment as Lewis third dart gets stuck between other two Everyone has to earn their stripes somewhere but inexperience on the Premier League circuit can be an unforgiving and inhospitable existence. Michael Smith, the world No 8, is touted as one of darts rising stars by everybody in-the-know but endured a miserable start to his Premier League career.Picked in the 10-man line-up for the first time, Smith lost a coin toss which forced him to compete twice last Thursday to cover for Andersons late withdrawal. He was dealt a harsh lesson in his first match, losing 7-2 to Peter Wright, before Adrian Lewis mercilessly beat him 7-1. In the second outing Smith never appeared settled or recovered from his first loss, and Lewis offered words of sympathy at the conclusion of the drubbing.Thornton, meanwhile, returned to the Premier League after a year out and just couldnt adapt quickly enough. Dave Chisnall whitewashed him, reminding Thornton what life is like in the fast lane. For Smith and Thornton in particular, the learning curve will be steep.Anderson must make up ground Gary Anderson is yet to start his Premier League title defence The reigning champion withdrew from the opening night at a few hours notice due to illness meaning hes already got some making up to do. At some point this season he will be forced to play twice in the same night which, in such a quick format tournament, brings unique challenges.As mentioned, Smith found the double outing too tough to handle but Anderson, in contrast, is vastly experienced at this level. He will need to call on every ounce of composure to begin the defence of his title a week later than his nine challengers. You can watch the second round of Premier League action, live on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm in Newcastle on Thursday, or watch without a contract on NOW TV.We will be building up to the coverage on our live blog here www.skysports.com/darts and the Sky Sports app will keep you up to date with all the action.Also See:Brutal Barney shuts Power offWade has the whole gameWATCH: Ten years at the topWhos got the X Factor?Nike Vapormax Plus Bestellen . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. Nike Air Vapormax Damen Billig . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night. http://www.vapormaxschuhe.de/vapormax-schwarz-deutschland.html . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Vapormax Herren Günstig . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama. Nike Vapormax Off White Deutschland . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action.BALTIMORE -- Ravens wide receiver?Steve Smith Sr. left Sundays game against the Washington Redskins?with an ankle injury and didnt return.Smith, the Ravens leading receiver, hobbled off the field late in the first quarter after making a tough, third-down catch. He had three catches for 29 yards at that time.At one point, it looked like Smith was trying to get back in the game. He was getting re-taped by trainers and tried testing it by running on the sideline. But he had a noticeable limp and shook his head no to trainers.The Redskins defeated the Ravens 16-10, handing Baltimore its second straight loss.ddddddddddddAfterward, Smith said he rolled his ankle. It feels like [s---], he said.Coach John Harbaugh said there was no update on Smiths status.Smith, 37, the oldest receiver in the NFL, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last season, which he had previously announced was his last. But he decided to return this season and was coming off a season-high 111 yards receiving last Sunday. ' ' '