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

Dennis Allen explains why he's optimistic about Saints offensive shift

One thing is already certain in New Orleans during the early stages of the 2024 NFL offseason. The Saints offense will look much different after head coach Dennis Allen overhauled the staff on that side of the ball.

Four QB options for Falcons in 2024: Justin Fields, trading up in draft and more

Here are four avenues Atlanta could go down as it tries to turn the quarterback position into a strength.

Revised CFP format another hit to mid-major programs

The College Football Playoff updated the format of the 12-team playoff on Tuesday, a move that will make the power conferences richer while leaving the mid-majors to hang out to dry.

Historic loss to Virginia Tech reveals Virginia's limits

Just when it looked like Virginia's basketball team hit its stride, the Cavaliers played their worst game of the season on Monday.

Watch: Wild brawl at handshake line caps Southland Conference basketball game

Texas A&M-Commerce and Incarnate Word have had seasons to forget, but on Monday, they made sure they'd be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Damian Lillard leaves notable player off of his dream starting five

Despite playing with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo for the first half of the 2023-24 season, Bucks guard Damian Lillard isn't putting him in his starting lineup.

Watch: 'The big one' hits with eight laps to go at Daytona 500

Twenty-two cars were involved in a massive pile-up with eight laps remaining at Monday's Daytona 500 that occurred when William Byron's No. 24 Chevrolet clipped the back-right bumper of Brad Keselowki's No. 6 Ford. 

Watch: Chase Elliott wins first stage at Daytona 500

Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott earned the first playoff points of the NASCAR season by winning the first stage of the Daytona 500.

Best and worst of All-Star Saturday: Curry-Ionescu shootout sizzles, dunk contest fizzles

As fun as the competition was, more importantly, the pair laid the foundation for an event that should become a fixture at future All-Star weekends.

Watch: Steph Curry out-shoots Sabrina Ionescu in competitive three-point contest

Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu broke new ground for what a three-point contest can look like.

Watch: Kings defenseman's first career goal completes L.A. comeback

With the win, the Kings have 62 points and hold the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Watch: Houston dunk causes technical delay

Houston senior forward J'Wan Roberts' emphatic dunk against Texas was the only respite for the Longhorns on Saturday. 

Alabama closes in on SEC record with blowout win over Texas A&M

 Another game, another 100-point performance for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Stakes raised for Steve Sarkisian at Texas after receiving massive contract extension

Sarkisian remains a feel-good story, but the stakes are higher for him after receiving a sizable raise and all of the perks that come with it.

Potential landing spots for the top five remaining MLB free agents

Spring training is upon us, but sluggers, aces and defensive stalwarts are still plenty available in free agency.

Blackhawks' Connor Bedard to make return just six weeks after breaking jaw

Blackhawks rookie phenom Connor Bedard is returning to the ice for the first time since he broke his jaw on Jan. 5. 

The top five offseasons in college football

With coaching changes and transfer portal arrivals and departures, this year's college football offseason was as wild as any in recent memory.  Here are five teams that have the most to celebrate with the frenzy in the rearview.

Watch: Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones announces 2024 plans 

Kansas City Chiefs DL Chris Jones unofficially announced that he would be returning to the back-to-back defending champs for the 2024-25 NFL season.

Blowout loss to Texas Tech a concerning sign for Kansas in the NCAA Tournament

The result revealed a glaring issue for Kansas, one that could sink its NCAA Tournament hopes.

Watch: Knicks lose on controversial foul with less than a second remaining

An excellent Knicks-Rockets game on Monday night was undone by a controversial foul call on Knicks guard Jalen Brunson with 0.3 seconds remaining.

Watch: Victor Wembanyama records first 10-block game against Raptors

Victor Wembanyama has lived up to the hype during his rookie season. 

Former No. 2 overall pick cut by Steelers after two seasons

The Steelers elected to part ways with Mitch Trubisky on Monday.

The best and worst of Super Bowl LVIII

A dynasty is born. Super Bowl LVIII lived up to the hype as the Chiefs won an overtime thriller, 25-22, in the longest game in Super Bowl history. Here is the best and worst of the big game, which gave Kansas City its third Super Bowl victory in five seasons.

Watch: 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw suffers Achilles injury running onto field

49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw suffered a bizarre injury during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII.