Yardbarker

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans. You can find him on Twitter/X and Threads at @ericsmithling and at Bluesky at @ericsmithling.bsky.social.

EXPERTISE:

NFL, College Football, NBA, Men's and Women's College Basketball, NHL

Patrick Mahomes delivers high praise to Justin Herbert

Patrick Mahomes is known for doing things no one else can do with a football but even he admits there are some throws Justin Herbert makes that can't be replicated.

Eagles make big addition where they need it most

After getting gashed on the ground in their last two games, the Eagles have brought in some big-name reinforcements to shore up their defensive line.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day updates WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba's potential return

Jaxon Smith-Njigba's return this year is in doubt after Ryan Day discussed the star wide receiver on Thursday.

NFL analyst blasts Bills over new stadium amid upcoming snowstorm

The NFL is monitoring a severe snowstorm expected to affect the Buffalo area this weekend with Sunday's game between the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills potentially being impacted.

Shaquille O'Neal's latest theory is literally planet-altering

Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal has a rather interesting theory about the Earth and the moon that orbits it.

Brian Daboll reveals Dan Campbell's bold strategy when interviewed for job

Per Pro Football Talk, Brian Daboll recalled an incident in 2011 when he was offensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins and head coach Tony Sparano had Daboll interview Dan Campbell for the position of tight ends coach.

Watch: An early dunk of the year candidate praised by Magic Johnson, others

Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile delivered an early candidate for dunk of the year on Wednesday that will be hard to be topped. 

Steve Kerr gives surprising response when discussing state of the Golden State Warriors

The end of this dynastic iteration of the Golden State Warriors is near, and the man who has been at the helm is aware of it.

Surprising reason Josh McDaniels' coaching future is already determined

Josh McDaniels will likely remain with the Las Vegas Raiders past this season despite the team’s dreadful start.

Ja rules? Adrian Wojnarowski weighs in on MVP race

Is Morant positioning himself to take home the MVP award this season?

Redemption song: Why Jets QB Zach Wilson is most important player ahead of rematch with Patriots

For the New York Jets to beat the division-rival New England Patriots on Sunday, the team will need QB Zach Wilson to redeem himself after a disastrous outing against the Patriots on Oct. 30.

Pump the brakes on Vikings as Super Bowl contenders

A thrilling win over Super Bowl contender Buffalo does not mean the Minnesota Vikings are contenders themselves. Pump the brakes on including them among the teams capable of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

The one scenario that could cause the most chaos in the College Football Playoff

Chaos reigns supreme in college football, but three SEC teams in the playoff? While unheard of, it's in play with three weeks until the final College Football Playoff rankings are revealed.

Three-time All-Star Anthony Rizzo makes free agency decision with multi-year deal

The three-time All-Star hit 32 home runs for the Yankees in 2022 and reportedly was drawing interest from many teams.

The CFP laid out the blueprint for USC and Clemson to clinch years ago

When push comes to shove, don't be surprised if a one-loss Pac-12 or ACC champion leapfrogs Tennessee and the loser of Michigan-Ohio State when the final rankings are released Dec. 4.

Packers' latest move yet another example of troubling trend

The Green Bay Packers' failure to properly scout and develop talent has been a problem, and Tuesday’s announcement is more evidence of where the franchise consistently comes up short.

Rams' title defense already appears to be up in smoke

Injuries and ineptitude have the Rams looking like the rare defending Super Bowl champ that could miss the playoffs.

USMNT adds LGBTQ+ flag logo ahead of Qatar World Cup

 In a show of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, the United States Men's National Soccer Team adopted the colors of the pride flag for its logo ahead of the controversial World Cup hosted in Qatar.

Bye weeks, injuries at wide receiver have big fantasy implications

 As much of a crapshoot as fantasy football is, it's important to have plug-and-play options that are guaranteed to score points. Many of those players at the wide receiver position won't be available this weekend.

Antonio Brown posts screenshot of alleged text where Tom Brady keeps it real

Antonio Brown posted a screenshot of a text message allegedly from Tom Brady on social media that we're guessing didn't have the intended impact Brown hoped it would.

Why Monday night's win has Washington back in the Chase

 Chase Young is set to make his 2022 season debut for the Washington Commanders this Sunday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.  The announcement comes a day after Washington (5-5) secured its biggest regular season win of the year, 32-21 over the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles (8-1).

Philadelphia is human after all — Commanders end Eagles unbeaten run

The loss doesn't knock the Eagles from first in the NFC, but it does show they aren't as far ahead of the pack as their record coming into Monday night's game indicated.

Missed facemask call has huge implications in Eagles-Commanders

Is there such a thing as an NFL game not impacted by officiating?

Former Dodgers star Yasiel Puig placed 899 illegal bets in three months, DOJ report states

Per the release, Puig "agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge for lying to federal law enforcement officials about bets on sports events that he placed with an illegal gambling operation."

Why John Denver was the real MVP of the NFL's Germany game

Move over, David Hasselhoff. There's a new American that Germans have an irrational love of and it's... John Denver.