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

Carson Wentz injury puts Vikings between rock and a hard place before trade deadline 

While Carson Wentz's injury update could force the Vikings to peruse the quarterback trade market, they might want to think twice before making a deal.

Five worst Week 8 performances: Epic collapse pushes Bengals closer to massive change

With so much bad football, there was a bouquet of options for this week's worst performances, but here are the five that stood out the most.

LSU HC Brian Kelly's hot seat even hotter after loss to No. 3 Texas A&M

LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly's hot seat is on fire. Despite having six years remaining on his contract, it's difficult imagining Kelly having much of a future in Baton Rouge following a humiliating home loss to Associated Press No.

CFB Week 9 winners, losers: Comeback Saturday keeps CFP hopefuls alive

Here are our winners and losers from Week 9, or "Comeback Saturday," of the college football season.

In shocking turn, Justin Fields getting another chance to rewrite narrative

Justin Fields has earned some harsh criticism for his play this season, perhaps none harsher from within his organization. 

Pros and cons of a potential Brian Thomas Jr. trade for Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn't really do it, would they?

Wings could be repeating 2025 mistake with coaching hire

Paige Bueckers is about the only sure thing the Dallas Wings have.

Three senior candidates for 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement

One day after 52 modern-era players, led by quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, moved along in the Pro Football Hall of Fame voting process, NFL senior members got their due.

NFL rookie report cards 2025: Grading every team’s draft class after seven weeks

With seven weeks of the season in the books, Yardbarker NFL writers graded every NFL team’s rookie class based on production, efficiency and long-term promise.

NBA opening week overshadowed by arrests connected to alleged illegal gambling

The 2025-26 NBA season just tipped off, and it's already being overshadowed by bombshell news regarding arrests made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of alleged illegal gambling schemes.

NBA makes change after 2025 NBA Finals blowback

When the 2026 NBA Finals tips off, it will actually look like it.

Commanders dealt significant blow with Jayden Daniels ruled out for 'MNF' Chiefs showdown

Daniels' hamstring injury threatens to derail Washington's season before it had a chance to get off the tracks.

From Lions' John Morton to Cowboys' Klayton Adams: The five most impressive NFL coordinators in 2025

Coaching matters. And while head coaches get most of the attention, no team is complete without strong coordinators.  

Five Week 9 games that can swing CFP race

With teams entering the back-half of their 2025 schedules, the College Football Playoff picture is beginning to take shape. We'll get a better idea of which programs will be playing meaningful games deep into the year this weekend, headlined by three Associated Press top 25 SEC showdowns for the second week in a row.

Scary Mike Evans injury puts incredible streak in serious jeopardy

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost more than a football game on Monday.

'MNF' takeaways: Stout secondary, explosive Jahmyr Gibbs lead Lions to rout of Bucs

It's the end of an era. In the first game of what could be the last Monday Night doubleheader for the foreseeable future, the Detroit Lions defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24-9.

49ers dealt another injury blow with defensive end set to miss time

The hits keep coming to the depleted San Francisco 49ers.

Mike Elko doesn't beat around the bush when discussing troubling Texas A&M history 

Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elko is tackling his program's troubling history at Tiger Stadium head on before a high-stakes showdown with Associated Press No. 20 LSU Tigers (5-2, 2-2 in SEC) this Saturday.

Five worst Week 7 performances: Three benched QBs may have played themselves out of starting roles

Three quarterbacks were benched in the early 1 p.m. ET window, and each may have reached the point of no return. But they weren't the only ones with regrettable performances in Week 7.

CFB Week 8 winners, losers: Ranked SEC showdowns separate contenders from pretenders

Week 8 weeded out this year's contenders from the pretenders. On a loaded Saturday that featured five ranked games, including three in the SEC, here are our winners and losers. 

Wisconsin needs to part ways with HC Luke Fickell after Ohio State loss

It's time for the Wisconsin Badgers to pull the plug on the Luke Fickell era.

Stubborn Titans keeping team from necessary full rebuild

The Tennessee Titans could be botching their rebuild.

Examining best landing spots for James Franklin following Penn State exit

The former Penn State head coach began his media rehabilitation tour on Saturday with a softball interview on ESPN's "College GameDay," and he shared he plans to return to coaching.

Curt Cignetti contract should keep Indiana relevant in Big Ten for foreseeable future

The gilded era of Indiana Hoosiers football is here to stay.