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

Top NBA prospect Nick Smith Jr. primed to be difference-maker for Arkansas

Per The Sporting News, Smith Jr. ranks as the third-best prospect in next year's NBA draft behind Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson.

Watch: William & Mary pulls off an unusual trick play

 William & Mary pulled off an unconventional trick play this past Saturday in a 27-21 win over Delaware.  The Tribe deployed two quarterbacks on the play, with Hollis Mathis running under center during pre-snap motion while Darius Wilson stood in shotgun formation.

Pete Carroll: Drew Lock 'nipping at' Geno Smith's heels in practice

Carroll credited at least some of Smith's success this season to the fact that he's competing with Lock in practice.

Watch: Tyrann Mathieu pays up bet with Saints teammate Alvin Kamara

 Alvin Kamara posted to Twitter a video of teammate Tyrann Mathieu making good on a bet the two made prior to last Saturday's LSU-Tennessee game. Matthieu, an LSU Tiger from 2010-2011, donned an orange Tennessee hoodie as Kamara filmed following Tennessee's 40-13 victory over LSU.

Dolphins remove ping pong table from locker room to focus on Vikings

Following a two-game losing streak and gearing up for a different starting quarterback for the third week in a row, the team is removing all distractions as they attempt to get back on track.

Who wants a piece of James Madison, college football's biggest surprise?

Growing pains are expected from college football programs that make the move to FBS level. James Madison is bucking historical trends as well as being the one delivering the pain.

Saints' front office history shows no focus on finding franchise quarterback

Without Brees falling into his lap, Mickey Loomis' track record of drafting quarterbacks is abysmal.

Troy Aikman doesn't acknowledge Patrick Mahomes passing him on all-time list

Mahomes passed Aikman on the career touchdowns thrown list when he threw No.166 to tight end Travis Kelce in his 68th career game.

Does Pete Carroll deserve the mantra of 'quarterback guru'?

Carroll's success with quarterbacks dates back to his USC days when Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart won the Heisman Trophy under his watch.

A sheep in wolf's clothing? Penn State looks to prove it's legit

Despite having a perfect record through five games for the second year in a row, No. 10 Penn State should temper expectations against No. 5 Michigan.

Questionable fourth-down decisions put NFL coaches in spotlight

The football world is questioning some questionable decisions made my NFL coaches in Week 5.

Southern hospitality: Bengals in line for warm welcome in road matchup vs. Saints

Saints head coach Dennis Allen addressed the potential for a warm welcome for the Bengals this coming Sunday and challenged Saints fans to show where their allegiance lies.

Watch: Davante Adams shoves cameraman following loss to Chiefs

Davante Adams took his frustrations out on a cameraman following the Las Vegas Raiders' fourth loss of the season.

Watch: Raiders lose Monday night's game when receivers Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow collide

The Oakland Raiders' last chance to pull off a road win against the Kansas City Chiefs went up in smoke when receivers Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow collided on a fourth-and-one play.

Texans' Dameon Pierce rewards fantasy owners with stellar play

Rookie running back Dameon Pierce was a sleeper pick in fantasy drafts this season, but he's waking people up after a remarkable performance Sunday.

Open season: the Saints take down another flock of birds

In a storyline that would make Alfred Hitchcock proud, the New Orleans Saints took on a flock of birds on Sunday and won.

Taysom Hill sparks Saints offense

Hill accounted for four touchdowns in Sunday's win.

Nick Saban breaks down final play against Texas A&M

Alabama prevented A&M from scoring a go-ahead touchdown and Saban took fans through the film on the decisive play.

Will Matt Rhule's dismissal start fire sale for Panthers?

Will the Panthers look to stockpile draft picks as they look to move forward with a new coach in 2023?

LSU's special teams continue to be riddle for Brian Kelly

Through six games, the problems seen early in the season from LSU's special teams are looking less like a bug and more like a feature.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule on the verge of being fired?

Matt Rhule's may be down to his final day as Carolina Panthers head coach.

Horrible roughing-the-passer call mars ending of Bucs-Falcons

A huge call late in Sunday's game between the Bucs and Falcons saw one referee go beyond protecting the leagues' players, doing more to hurt the league's image than anything else.