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

Why Saints' Derek Carr deal means team should consider trading up in the draft

With New Orleans once again going all-in on contending in 2023 thanks to signing Derek Carr, the team should consider moving up in the upcoming draft.

Derek Carr's signing alone won't make Saints a playoff contender

Derek Carr is headed to New Orleans in a move both sides hope leads to a rebirth, but the Saints need much more than just the former Raiders QB.

North Carolina makes wrong kind of history in loss to Duke

North Carolina made the wrong kind of history in its loss to Duke on Saturday.

Hendon Hooker gets positive medical update at NFL combine

Hooker's latest round of medical evaluations indicate the former Tennessee QB is rehabbing well from his November ACL tear and should be ready for the beginning of the 2023 NFL season.  

It's time for Adam Silver to act on Ja Morant

Ja Morant's troubling recent behavior took an even uglier turn after the Grizzlies guard posted a video on social media early Saturday morning of himself at a strip club carelessly brandishing a firearm.

Bryce Young's combine numbers squash size debate

Bryce Young has one less problem after his weigh-in on Saturday. Young's size -- instead of his play -- is the biggest story of this NFL Scouting Combine, with many expressing concerns prior to Saturday's weigh-in that Young could potentially weigh less than 200 pounds.

Alabama players come to ex-coordinator's defense

Defensive coordinator Pete Golding left Alabama for the same position at Ole Miss in the offseason, a move celebrated by notoriously hard-to-please Crimson Tide fans. No one knows that more than Alabama players, who downplayed fans' frustrations with Golding and the team's 2022 defensive performance.

Report: Big 12 'in recent contact' with four Pac-12 schools

The two conferences are in a power struggle as they brace for losing key members after 2023. This season will be the last for Oklahoma and Texas in the Big 12 and UCLA and USC in the Pac-12.

XFL player released for giving another team plays from own playbook

The XFL isn't the most exciting product on the field, but a story broke Friday that reveals the best drama in the revamped football league is happening off the field.

LeBron James' injury worse than initially feared

LeBron James suffered a right foot injury on Sunday with the team initially saying the sport's all-time leading scorer would be re-evaluated "in two weeks." Unfortunately for the Lakers, he's going to be out longer than that.

Report card reveals troubling issues for Super Bowl champs

Kansas City, fresh off a Super Bowl win, is at the forefront of the NFL's offensive explosion. Behind the scenes, however, the team is well behind the curve.

NFLPA survey says: Cowboys HC among 'most well-liked' coaches

The first ever NFLPA Report Card was released, and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy scored really high across the league's players.

NCAA Tournament appears to be up for grabs

Nothing is quite like March Madness, and this year's edition of the men's tournament promises to be as unpredictable as ever.

Two other teams that should join the Minnesota Vikings in starting over

The Vikings are one of several teams facing major questions this offseason. Should Minnesota, a one-and-done playoff team in 2022, maintain the status quo or blow things up? 

Mark Emmert's tenure as NCAA president ends in near-universal disdain

Mark Emmert's run as NCAA president ended Tuesday and his departure is being almost universally celebrated across the college sports world.

Ja Morant goes off for 28 points in third quarter of Grizzlies win

Ja Morant took a while to get going on Tuesday. When he did, he couldn't stop. Morant scored 28 points in the third quarter of Memphis' 121-109 win over the Lakers, the most points by any player in one quarter in the NBA this season.

Are Commanders sold on Sam Howell at QB?

Washington cut Carson Wentz on Monday, paving the way for 2023 second-year pro Sam Howell to take over at QB. Or so we thought.

Could a team take a chance on Bijan Robinson in top 10?

Running back Bijan Robinson is a top-10 player on several NFL Draft big boards. However, few people expect he'll go that high in the draft. 

Titans GM gives curious response when explaining team-building philosophy

Tennessee's new general manager, Ran Carthon, explained the organization's team-building philosophy with him in charge in a way that makes us wonder what year it is.

Up to the Trask: Bucs GM confident about potential new starting QB

There are several QB-needy teams in the NFL this offseason, but Bucs general manager Jason Licht doesn't necessarily believe his team is one of them despite losing Tom Brady.

Bills GM provides update on Damar Hamlin

Bills general manager Brandon Beane gave a positive update on Damar Hamlin's health on Tuesday.

Dan Snyder, NFL facing more scrutiny after latest ESPN report

Every day seems to bring a fresh controversy involving Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder, and Tuesday brought more troubling news about Snyder's dysfunctional organization that also called into question decisions made by Roger Goodell and the NFL. 

The sky is falling on the New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans' freefall continued on Monday in an ugly loss to the Orlando Magic and the team's once promising season is on the verge of ending as a huge disappointment.

Lakers need Anthony Davis to step up to weather LeBron James' injury

With LeBron James sidelined, the Lakers need Anthony Davis to recreate his early season magic when he looked like a potential league MVP. Per Shams Charania, James is expected to miss multiple weeks with a foot injury in what is a major blow to the Lakers' playoff hopes.

Commanders decision puts Carson Wentz on new career path

When the Commanders cut Carson Wentz on Monday, it likely sealed his future in the NFL. Wentz's days of being a starting QB in the NFL are over.