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

Three biggest concerns for Atlanta Falcons before the draft

Enough weaknesses remain on this year's roster for the team to worry about as it finalizes a plan for the NFL Draft. Here are three areas of concern.

Three biggest concerns for Carolina Panthers before the draft

While Panthers faithful have many reasons for optimism heading into the 2023 season, the team also must answer key questions in the lead-up to the April 27-29 NFL Draft.

Watch: Julian Strawther hits shot from logo to send Gonzaga to Elite Eight

The Bulldogs won a thriller, 78-76, and were led by a phenomenal performance from senior forward Drew Timme. But it was the hometown product Strawther who ended UCLA's season with his unbelievable 3-pointer.

Lions have a lot to prove before taking C.J. Gardner-Johnson's comments seriously

Newly-signed Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson turned heads earlier this week when he suggested his new team has more talent than his old one, the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Zion Williamson injury update provides little hope to Pelicans during playoff push

If Williamson has a promising update, he could feasibly return for the games against the Grizzlies and Knicks, as well as the season finale at Minnesota (36-37, ninth in Western Conference), but any slip-up over the next two weeks could make the team's decision to bring Williamson back or not a whole lot easier.

Did Nick Saban take shot at Alabama's basketball program?

Whether Saban's statement was meant as a subtle criticism of the basketball program or not is unclear. What's much more obvious is the two coaches have some big differences in how much they're willing to tolerate.

Super Bowl-winning coach has laughably bad Lamar Jackson take

Former Rams coach Mike Martz, offensive coordinator for the franchise during its 1999 Super Bowl-winning season, weighed in on the Lamar Jackson contract dispute for The 33rd Team with a shockingly shallow take.

Seattle Seahawks face a major issue in 2023 NFL Draft

Seattle is facing a major draft decision that could have ripple effects on the rest of the league. 

Little separation in Western Conference sets up wild finish to NBA regular season

The final stretch of the NBA regular season is about to get wild in the Western Conference. With three weeks remaining in the regular season, seven Western Conference teams are separated by two games.

Old School: Cam Newton to throw at Auburn Pro Day

Thirteen years ago, Cam Newton placed himself on the NFL map with a record-setting season at Auburn. On Tuesday, Newton is going back to where it all started with the hope of getting noticed by the NFL once again.

NBA Hall of Famer joins one of four groups bidding on Commanders

Getting rid of Dan Snyder may require a "Magic" act. Per Sportico, NBA Hall of Famer Earvin "Magic" Johnson joined a group led by Josh Harris that is bidding on the Washington Commanders franchise.

Watch: Last-second field goals propel No. 6 TCU, No. 9 Florida Atlantic to round of 32

Florida Atlantic won its first tournament game in program history, beating 8-seed Memphis. Minutes later and nearly 1,300 miles away, TCU pulled off a comeback victory versus Arizona State.

SEC emerges with bragging rights after opening round of NCAA Tournament

The SEC's status as the preeminent college football conference is unquestioned, but its rank among the Power Five conferences in basketball is more up in the air.

Miami's win over Drake means no 12-seed will advance to the Round of 32

On an evening when a No. 1 seed went down, Miami (FL) helped produced arguably an even more surprising result. Thanks to its 63-56 win over Drake, the No. 12-seed will advance to the Round of 32 for the first time since 2018.

Watch: No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson makes huge plays late to slay No. 1 Purdue

The aftershock of Fairleigh Dickinson's win will likely reverberate for quite some time. That's what happens when a giant hits the ground.

Iowa State has nightmarish shooting performance in NCAA Tournament loss

Iowa State and Pitt participated in a display of offensive failure on epic scale during the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Kennesaw State head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim puts himself on the map after team nearly pulls off upset

The spotlight the tournament shined on the Atlantic Sun Tournament champions should propel Abdur-Rahim into the conversation for any head-coach opening this hiring cycle.

Big showdown awaits between Duke, Tennessee after both teams win in opening round

Duke is playing as well as anyone in the country while its next opponent, Tennessee, has been mediocre over the past month and a half. But that doesn't mean people who had Duke advancing to the Sweet 16 in their bracket should celebrate just yet.

Houston survives first-round scare against Northern Kentucky

Crisis averted. For now. The NCAA Tournament favorite Houston found itself in a dogfight during 16-seed Northern Kentucky before eventually pulling away over halfway through the second half for a 63-52 victory.

The upsets keep coming as 15-seed Princeton downs two-seed Arizona

Hours after No. 13 Furman stunned No. 4 Virginia, Princeton provided an even bigger upset as the No. 15 Tigers defeated No. 2 Arizona.

No. 13 Furman the first bracket buster of the 2023 NCAA Tournament with wild win over Virginia

On the other side, Virginia's loss adds to a list of recent tournament failings, including a historic loss as the No. 1 overall seed to No. 16 seed UMBC in 2016. The Cavaliers did win the 2019 tournament, so don't feel too bad for them.

Maryland kicks off NCAA Tournament by holding off last-second West Virginia three

Maryland may have escaped its game against West Virginia by the skin of its teeth, but there's reason to believe the Terrapins can go a whole lot further.

Bill Self to miss Round of 64 game in NCAA Tournament

Kansas will begin its title defense without head coach Bill Self, the team announced Thursday morning. Self is recovering from an emergency heart procedure that also forced him to miss the Jayhawks' appearance in the Big 12 tournament.

Saints add RB Jamaal Williams as team tries to make another playoff run

The New Orleans Saints are serious about getting back into title contention, and the organization added to an already-active offseason by agreeing to a contract with running back Jamaal Williams.

Jacoby Brissett an important addition for Commanders

While he has developed a reputation as a game manager and reliable backup, Brissett demonstrated last season might not necessarily be his ceiling.