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

Fever rounding into form after signature win over Sun

The Fever notched the signature win of their season on Wednesday, snapping an 11-game losing streak to the championship-contender Sun.

Disappointing series finale vs. Guardians shouldn't dim Royals' AL Central hopes

The Royals let one slip away from them with first place on the line in the AL Central.

Cowboys stuck in the past with running back signing

Does Jerry Jones know what year it is? On Wednesday, the Cowboys added free-agent running back Dalvin Cook.  That would be impressive if this were 2020.

Falcons hold on to potential trade chip with surprising QB decision

The Falcons might be playing chess with one roster cut-down day move.

Watch: Caitlin Clark rebounds from injury scare as surging Fever squash Dream

The Fever nearly broke a sweat on Monday. 2024 rookie phenom Caitlin Clark avoided serious injury after rolling her ankle in the first quarter and helped lead Indiana to a 84-79 win over the Dream.

Watch: Aaron Judge robs potential HR with spectacular defensive play

Aaron Judge doesn't just hit home runs. He also robs them. On Monday, the likely AL MVP followed his two-home run game the previous day with an excellent defensive play against the Nationals to prevent a two-run home run.

Malik Willis trade makes Brock Purdy stand out in underwhelming 2022 QB class

On top of leading the 49ers, one of the top Super Bowl contenders, Purdy has the weight of an entire quarterback class on his shoulders.

Week 0 college football winners and losers: GT QB Haynes King stars as FSU's DJ Uiagalelei wilts

College football — and chaos — are back. It only took one game for the unexpected to happen.

Watch: Panthers quarterback Bryce Young impresses in touchdown drive

Quarterback Bryce Young showed the Panthers what they needed to see.

Watch: Florida State kicker drills second-longest field goal in program history

Florida State kicker Ryan Fitzgerald put an exclamation point on the first half against Georgia Tech on Saturday with a 59-yard field goal.

Watch: Florida State uses wild formation for two-point conversion after first touchdown of 2024 CFB season

Norvell might have several tricks in his bag to keep the Seminoles one step ahead of the competition.

Elevator ordeal could be first obstacle of trying season for 2024 Chargers

The Chargers hit their first obstacle of the 2024 season.

Kirk Ferentz suspension adds embarrassing layer to Iowa's ugly 2023 offense

Iowa has received punishment for its recruitment of a quarterback who did little to ease the team's offensive woes.

Commanders sell low in trade that benefits division rival

The Commanders may have just given the Eagles a solution to one of their biggest questions on offense. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Washington traded wide receiver Jahan Dotson, its first-round pick (No.

NFC South draft watch: Buccaneers rookie class stands tall

Which rookies are rising above the fray in the NFC South?

Elite WR crystal ball: What's next for Brandon Aiyuk, Ja'Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb?

How will the financials shake out for star receivers Brandon Aiyuk, Ja'Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb?

Could Falcons pull a 2012 Seahawks with Michael Penix Jr.?

With their unorthodox preseason usage of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr, the Falcons could be following a similar playbook to the 2012 Seahawks.

10 college football predictions, from Week 1 to CFP national champion pick

Week 1 of the 2024 college football season is nearly here. Before most teams kick off their season this weekend, here are 10 predictions for the next four-plus months.

2024 Paris Olympics star finds home with WNBA contender

She previously played for Seattle in 2022 and 2023.

Will Jayden Daniels reignite trend of rookie QBs beating Bucs?

With Daniels set as Washington's Week 1 starter, Tampa Bay's inconsistent history against rookie quarterbacks has come into focus. Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman shared that from 2011-17, the Bucs were 1-11 against rookie quarterbacks.

USC head coach Lincoln Riley names Caleb Williams' successor at quarterback

The fourth-year junior appeared in five games last season and started the team's 42-28 Holiday Bowl win over Louisville. He finished 23-of-33 for 372 yards, six touchdowns and one interception.

Jim Harbaugh cuts quarterback who knocked him out of 2022 CFP

During the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinals, he led TCU to a 51-45 upset win over Harbaugh's Michigan squad. On Monday, the Chargers released him two days after he didn't play in Los Angeles' Week 2 preseason loss to the Rams.

Falcons HC Raheem Morris struggles to explain Michael Penix Jr.'s preseason sit

The Atlanta Falcons are either playing eight-dimensional chess or they're mishandling their rookie quarterback.

Watch: Bears rookies Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze show off chemistry with sensational play against Bengals

Bears rookies Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze are already on the same page.

Watch: Giants QB Daniel Jones throws two interceptions in disastrous return

Through three drives, Jones had as many completions to the Texans as to the Giants.