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

Watch: Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. hits second HR following injury return

Ronald Acuna Jr. is exactly what the Atlanta Braves have needed.

Watch: Rafael Devers stays hot with walk-off hit for Red Sox

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers walked off the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of a day-night doubleheader on Saturday. 

Watch: Absurd Caitlin Clark three gives Fever distance over Liberty in early showdown

Clark snapped a 0-14 streak from three-point range with two massive makes late in the third quarter of Saturday's early season showdown with the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty.

Fever arrive in close loss to defending WNBA champion Liberty

The Indiana Fever went toe-to-toe with the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty on Saturday. 

Aidan Hutchinson recovery update adds heat to 2025 Comeback Player of the Year race

The 2025 Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award race could be one of the most hotly contested in seasons. 

Injury thins out Saints QB competition

The New Orleans Saints' starting quarterback competition could be a war of attrition. 

2024-25 NBA MVP announcement takeaways: How voters (and Clippers) got things very wrong

Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the 2024-25 NBA MVP, but was it the right decision?

Three things we're looking forward to on this season of HBO's 'Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Buffalo Bills'

On Wednesday, the NFL and HBO announced that the Buffalo Bills will be the focus of the 2025 training camp edition of "Hard Knocks," set to premiere on August 5. Here are three things we're most interested in seeing when the docuseries premieres this summer.

Five NFL rule changes we actually want after tush push ban fails

The league has more pressing rule changes it should consider next offseason before another round of tush push discourse.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2025 NFL schedule analysis

We've had a week to dissect the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2025 schedule. For a full list of games, click here. Here's a look at what stands out most, including one date we're circling, the toughest and easiest stretches, plus a key takeaway.

Fever-Sky ratings set high bar for 2025 WNBA season

The eye-popping viewership indicates the league's remarkable 2024 growth wasn't a blip but the start of the sport's explosion in popularity.

Florida's repeat hopes bolstered with significant transfer portal addition

Fresh off its first national title since 2007, Florida is still dancing after its latest transfer portal signing.

Wings should feel fine despite their 0-2 start to WNBA season

The Dallas Wings fell to 0-2 on Monday, yet they should feel anything but down. Because after Paige Bueckers' strong game, brighter days are on the horizon.

New Orleans Saints' 2025 NFL schedule analysis

Let's take a closer look at the Saints' second-easiest league schedule, including one date to circle, the toughest (and easiest) four-game stretch and a key takeaway.

Carolina Panthers 2025 NFL schedule analysis

We take a closer look at Carolina's fifth-easiest league schedule, including one date to circle, the toughest (and easiest) four-game stretch and a key takeaway.

Fred Warner extension shows linebackers are undervalued in today's NFL

The San Francisco 49ers have struck gold with their latest contract extension.

Watch: Scottie Scheffler's eagle gives him lead at 2025 PGA Championship

World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler raced atop the leaderboard at the 2025 PGA Championship with an incredible eagle on the 14th hole.

Watch: Fever guard Caitin Clark bookends first half of 2025 season debut with three-pointers

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark bookended a strong first half in the Fever's 2025 season opener against the Chicago Sky with a pair of threes, helping give Indiana a 45-32 halftime lead.

Incredible Natasha Cloud debut shows why Liberty can repeat in 2025

New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud wasted no time leaving her mark on her new team. 

Watch: Aces center A'ja Wilson sets tone for MVP defense with strong first quarter versus Liberty

The reigning WNBA MVP doesn't appear interested in relinquishing her crown. On Saturday, Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson picked up where she left off during her 2024 MVP season.

Watch: Jets stay alive in Stanley Cup playoffs with help from Stars defenseman

The Winnipeg Jets stayed alive in the playoffs, and they received help from an unlikely source.

Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL schedule analysis

The Atlanta Falcons, along with the rest of the NFL, have known for months who they'll play during the 2025 regular season, and on Wednesday, they found out when.  

Watch: Capitals goalie Logan Thompson makes save of the Stanley Cup playoffs

Logan Thompson delivered during the first period of Game 5.

Unheralded golfers in prime position to make names for themselves following PGA Championship first round

None of the players at or near the top of the leaderboard are household names.