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: Klay Thompson looks right at home in Mavericks debut

Klay Thompson wasted no time showing why he could be the missing piece in Dallas.

Dodgers announce Fernando Valenzuela tribute for World Series and 2025 season

Expect an emotional scene for Game 1 of the World Series as the baseball world celebrates the life and legacy of Fernando Valenzuela.

Yves Missi's debut a silver lining for Pelicans in dispiriting opening win

While Dejounte Murray's hand fracture was an awful way for the Pelicans to begin the season, rookie center Yves Missi's production was a silver lining.

Panthers QB Bryce Young's return to starting lineup comes at inopportune time

Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young is being thrown into a horrible spot this weekend. Par for the course with his development.

Dodgers-Yankees World Series performance capped Fernando Valenzuela's iconic 1981 season

Baseball lost a legend on Tuesday. Former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, who became the only player in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the same season in 1981, died at 63, three days before Game 1 of the 2024 World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees.

Trade for DeAndre Hopkins makes Chiefs clear-cut Super Bowl favorite

The Chiefs moved one step closer to winning their third consecutive Lombardi Trophy on Wednesday.

Watch: LeBron James and son Bronny take court for first time in historic moment

Among all of LeBron's accomplishments, he'll probably savor his latest the most.

Saints take five-time Pro Bowler off the trade market with contract extension

The Saints aren't letting running back Alvin Kamara slip away. On Tuesday, NFL insider Mike Garafolo reported Kamara and New Orleans agreed on a two-year, $24.5M extension to keep the running back in New Orleans through the 2026 season.

Brutal Bucs WR injury might be fatal blow to their season

The Buccaneers lost more than just a football game to the Ravens on Monday night.

'MNF' takeaways: Chargers must get QB Justin Herbert some help

The Cardinals pulled off an upset over the Chargers on a walk-off Chad Ryland field goal in the second of two Monday night games in Week 7.

Latest roster decision shows how aimless Oklahoma is under HC Brent Venables

Oklahoma has become directionless under head coach Brent Venables. Following an ugly 35-9 home loss to South Carolina in Week 8, the low point of Venables' three-year tenure, the Sooners are going back to quarterback Jackson Arnold.

Watch: Bucs WR Mike Evans hits huge milestone on opening drive of 'MNF'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has hit the century mark.

Brandon Aiyuk's injury made the 49ers' path to contention that much harder

If the 49ers get out of their first-half slump, they'll do so without a key offensive playmaker.

NFL Week 7 worst QB performances: Daniel Jones gives Giants buyer's remorse

Quarterback play was all over the map on Sunday. Here are the worst performers at signal-caller for Week 7 of the 2024-25 NFL season.

CFB Week 8 winners, losers: Georgia's defense feasts in SEC showdown against Texas

Georgia's impressive road win against Texas headlines our Week 8 winners and losers.

Indiana proves it's legitimate with romp over Nebraska

Indiana football is no longer a punchline.

Oklahoma in bowl jeopardy after blowout home loss to South Carolina

Oklahoma wanted the SEC experience, but it actually has to play in the SEC, now.

'That's a lie': Saints star doesn't hold back on trade rumors

With New Orleans (2-5) mired in a five-game losing streak and drifting toward irrelevancy, he would undoubtedly be valuable for a contending team.

Watch: Indiana marches down field for opening-drive TD against Nebraska

This is exactly how Indiana wanted to start this game.

Tony Bennett's stunning retirement comes at brutal time for Virginia

A news conference is scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. ET, when Bennett may share more details and/or reasoning behind his sudden retirement. What's immediately clear, however, is this is a challenging time for a coaching change.

Alabama, Tennessee weaknesses will take center stage in Week 8

Both Alabama and Tennessee are championship-caliber on one side of the football — just not the ones you'd expect from either program.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' radio show comments a worrying sign for team's future

Jones' lack of personal accountability has contributed significantly to the Cowboys' Super Bowl drought.

One move each NFC South team should make before trade deadline

After six weeks of the season, most NFL teams know if they'll be buyers or sellers before the trade deadline. Here's one move each team in the NFC South should make before the Nov. 5 deadline.

'MNF' takeaways: Bills still rule the AFC East

The Bills took command of the AFC East with their 23-20 road win against the Jets on Monday night. Here are five takeaways from the Week 6 finale.