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

Magic 8 Ball predictions for the 2024 Carolina Panthers

Mattel's Magic 8 Ball has been predicting the future since 1946. We ran a few questions about the Carolina Panthers by one, and the results were fairly bleak.

Magic 8 Ball predictions for the 2024 Atlanta Falcons

Mattel's Magic 8 Ball has been predicting the future since 1946. We ran a few questions about the Falcons by one, and the results were a mixed bag.

A pessimist's guide to the 2024 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield potentially being a one-hit wonder isn't the only thing the Bucs should worry about.

A pessimist's guide to the 2024 New Orleans Saints

The Saints missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season last year. Here are three reasons why they'll make it four straight in 2024.

Ranking which NBA duo will win its first championship next

With Boston's All-NBA duo Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum finally winning its first league title on Monday, the pressure shifts to the league's other talented pairs that have yet to reach the pinnacle.

Watch: Jaylen Brown calls out 'ugly' teammate during Game 5 romp

Boston won its 18th NBA championship on Monday night, but the Game 5 blowout win over Dallas wasn't all pretty. After Celtics guard Derrick White chipped his tooth, forward Jaylen Brown poked fun at him during a stoppage.

Watch: Payton Pritchard's miracle three caps Celtics' first-half run

Celtics guard Payton Pritchard put an exclamation point on the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals with a deep, buzzer-beater three. Per ESPN's Malika Andrews, the 49-foot make was the longest shot in the finals in the last 25 years.

Mookie Betts injury puts Hollywood spotlight fully on Shohei Ohtani

As irreplaceable as Mookie Betts is, no team is better equipped to handle his absence than the Dodgers.

Liberty forward pushes herself into MVP conversation with big game vs. Aces

For the second year in a row, the Liberty could very well have the league's MVP winner on their roster. Except this year, instead of Breanna Stewart, it might be teammate Jonquel Jones lifting the hardware.

Cubs P 'Mike' Imanaga continues hot start vs. Cardinals

He finished Chicago's 5-1 win with one earned run and five baserunners allowed in seven innings pitched.

Watch: Albania makes history with fastest goal in Euro history against Italy

Albania stunned Italy (and most soccer fans, for that matter) with the fastest goal in Euro Cup history on Saturday.

Tee Higgins' contract decision adds pressure on Bengals in 2024

With wide receiver Tee Higgins locked in for 2024, the Bengals should have even more urgency to return to the Super Bowl this season. 

Mavericks' blowout win makes previous missed opportunities tougher to swallow

If this version of the Mavs showed up in Games 1-3, they would still be a serious threat to be crowned NBA champions.

Watch: Mavericks come out strong facing elimination in NBA Finals

The Mavericks aren't making it easy for the Celtics as Bosotn tries to seal its 18th NBA championship. Facing a 3-0 series deficit, Dallas jumped out to a 34-21 lead after the first quarter of Game 4.

10 MLB players who should be first-time All-Stars in 2024

With less than two weeks to go before the finalists for the AL and NL starters are set, here's a look at 10 players — five in each league — who deserve to be first-time All-Stars this season.

A pessimist's guide to the 2024 Carolina Panthers

For most NFL teams, a 2-15 season would be rock bottom. Most teams aren't the Carolina Panthers. Here are three reasons why things will go from bad to worse in Charlotte this autumn.

Why the 'Big' 12 may soon be obsolete

No, the conference isn't folding. But it is considering a lucrative deal to give up its naming rights to a corporate sponsor, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

A pessimist's guide to the 2024 Atlanta Falcons

Expectations haven't been this high for the Falcons since their run to Super Bowl LI.

Six facts you might not know about Jerry West's iconic NBA logo

Jerry West, "The Logo," died on Wednesday. For over 50 years, West's silhouette has been the defining image of the NBA, but the story behind the clean red, white and blue logo we all know is a lot messier than you might realize.

Watch: Pirates pitcher receives standing ovation on road after incredible start

Pirates rookie starting pitcher Paul Skenes threw another masterpiece on Tuesday against the division-rival Cardinals in a 2-1 road win. 

Top players to watch at the 2024 College World Series

Plenty of stars are headed to Omaha. Here's a look at eight players, one from each team, who you should know before the first pitch of the College World Series on June 14.

With Joey Chestnut out of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, there's only one thing that should happen next

What is Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest without Joey Chestnut? Unfortunately, we're about to find out.

Panthers claw way to 2-0 Stanley Cup Final lead with win over Oilers

The Panthers clawed their way back from an early deficit to put a stranglehold on the Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final.

Watch: Oilers get one past Sergei Bobrovsky for first goal in 2024 Stanley Cup Final

The Oilers finally broke through against Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

Watch: Sun guard mocks Caitlin Clark, hits first-half buzzer beater vs. Fever

Sun guard DiJonai Carrington stole the show in Connecticut's 89-72 win over the Indiana Fever on Monday.