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

NFC title game prediction: Why Lions will advance to Super Bowl

Here's our breakdown for the NFC Championship Game.

Coco Gauff bounced in Aussie Open semis

The stage is set for the women's singles Australian Open title, and somewhat surprisingly, Coco Gauff won't be there.

Jim Harbaugh's arrival in Los Angeles could hinder Eagles' coordinator plans

One coordinator's 2024 destination is all of a sudden filled with intrigue.

Michigan isn't expected to have to look far for next head coach

With Jim Harbaugh returning to the NFL, Michigan needs a head coach. It won't have to look far to find one.

Watch: Lions center Frank Ragnow reveals classy gesture by fans

Ragnow persevered through multiple injuries against the Buccaneers in Detroit's 31-23 win to send the Lions to the NFC Championship Game for only the second time in franchise history.

World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz stunned in Australian Open quarterfinals

The run to the quarterfinals was the best finish for Alcaraz at the year's first Grand Slam.

Bucks fire head coach, have surprising candidate in mind for full-time job

Leading the Bucks to a 30-13 record wasn't good enough for head coach Adrian Griffin to keep his job.

Report: Stephen A. Smith could get Von Miller money on his next contract

If ESPN is going to keep its most valuable employee, the worldwide leader in sports will have to pay Stephen A. Smith like he just won the Super Bowl.

Five NFL players who could be traded this offseason

Change is inevitable in the NFL. For some organizations, it's a necessity. 

Commanders make surprising decision in Mel Kiper's first 2024 mock draft

ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. unveiled his first mock draft for 2024 on Tuesday, and it didn't take long for him to deliver a surprise. 

Watch: Kevin Durant hits winning bucket with 1.6 seconds left as Suns stay hot

Kevin Durant kept the Suns hot with a clutch basket against the Bulls on Monday night.

Watch: Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns caps a wild scoring night in NBA

On the same night 76ers center Joel Embiid set a career and franchise record with 70 points, Timberwolves power forward Karl-Anthony Towns also set a career-high with 62 points, albeit in a surprising 128-125 loss to the Hornets.

Watch: Joel Embiid sets career-high with first 70-point game in 76ers history

Joel Embiid had a game for the ages on Monday night.

Former Alabama OC to become Browns TE coach

Former Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is going pro.

Will Panthers GM be able to overcome owner David Tepper?

The Panthers found their general manager, but whether things improve in Carolina depends on how much influence owner David Tepper has over Dan Morgan.

Watch: No. 18 Creighton outlasts Seton Hall in 3OT thriller

Creighton and Seton Hall played arguably the game of the year in college basketball on Saturday.

Watch: Texas completes massive upset win over No. 9 Baylor off buzzer-beater

The Texas Longhorns are trending up after their exciting win over No. 9 Baylor.

Cowboys' plan for Mike McCarthy's future revealed

Mike McCarthy has one more year to prove himself in Dallas. 

Antonio Pierce gets seal of approval from two-time Super Bowl champion head coach

As widely hailed as the hiring was, getting an endorsement from Coughlin, a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach, is as good a sign as any the Raiders made the right choice.

Latest Ohio State addition further improves team's championship odds

All signs point toward an Ohio State College Football Playoff National Championship victory next January.

Women's tennis No. 1 Iga Swiatek stunned in third round of Australian Open

Down goes No. 1. Iga Swiatek, the Women's Tennis Association's top player, suffered an upset loss to Linda Noskova in the third round of the Australian Open.

Could Kirk Cousins be the Falcons' answer at quarterback?

Veteran quarterback Kirk Couins would make all kinds of sense for the Atlanta Falcons, especially if the team is able to hire Bill Belichick.

Member of Jalen Hurts, Nick Bosa recruiting class returning to college for 2024 season

As 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa gears up for his fourth divisional-round playoff game, another member of the 2016 recruiting class, tight end Cam McCormick, just announced he's returning to Miami for a record ninth year of college football.

Daniil Medvedev left surprised by fans after marathon second-round match: 'I would not be here'

More surprising than Daniil Medvedev coming back from two sets down in the second round of the Australian Open was the fact that anyone was around to witness it.

NFC divisional-round predictions: Can the 49ers stop Jordan Love's run?

The 49ers enter the divisional round a 9.5-point favorite over the Packers as they seek their third consecutive appearance in the NFC Championship game and fourth since 2019. The Lions don't have that kind of history on their side when they take on the Buccaneers, looking to reach the conference title game for the first time since 1991.