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

49ers announce shocking Brock Purdy update ahead of Week 8

There has been a stunning turn of events with the Brock Purdy situation.

Insider reveals update on Davante Adams, Patrick Surtain II and others ahead of trade deadline

The NFL trade deadline could pass by with a whimper, according to a report by The Athletic's Dianna Russini. Potential targets including Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II, Giants running back Saquon Barkley and Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams are expected to remain with their teams.

Watch: Pick-six gives Kansas early lead against No. 6 Oklahoma

It's been 26 years since Kansas beat Oklahoma, but an early defensive play by the Jayhawks gave the program a first-quarter lead. Junior cornerback Ra'Mello Dotson intercepted a pass from Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel and returned it 37 yards for the first touchdown of the game.

What to watch for in the NBA on Saturday

The first Saturday of the NBA season features seven games, including Zion Williamson playing in New Orleans for the first time since December 2022.

Damian Lillard makes history in dominant Bucks debut

Dame Time came to Milwaukee on Thursday as Damian Lillard stole the show in his Bucks debut. 

Victor Wembanyama's debut a ratings hit for ESPN

The Spurs didn't win Victor Wembanyama's debut, but the NBA did.

Bold deals top NFL contenders should make ahead of trade deadline

With the NFL trade deadline approaching on Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. ET, the top contenders have a chance to separate themselves from the field. Here's a move each of the top five contenders should make.

Five CFB games to watch: Oregon, Utah square off in 'elimination game'

The Pac-12 takes center stage again this week. Meanwhile, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. looks to solidify his Heisman campaign, and Oklahoma and Georgia take on a pair of hungry underdogs who would love nothing more than to throw a wrench into their seasons.

Watch: Zion Williamson takes flight on back-to-back dunks in Pelicans return

Zion Williamson made his presence felt late in the first half of the Pelicans season opener against the Grizzlies, connecting on back-to-back dunks during a sequence that gave New Orleans a 56-47 lead.

Watch: Kristaps Porzingis erupts for 15 points in first quarter of Celtics debut

Kristaps Porzingis's debut in Boston went about as well as the Celtics could have hoped.

'TNF' preview: Can Buffalo get back on track against fading Tampa Bay?

The Bills are a heavy favorite against the Buccaneers on Thursday night but will look to cover for the first time since Week 4, when they throttled Miami, 48-20.

NFC South Week 8 predictions: Panthers get first win of season in battle of top 2023 draft picks

These are our predictions for this weekend's NFC South games.

Best and worst NFL free-agency signings of the 2023 offseason

Not all free agency signings are created equal. Through Week 7, here are the three best (and worst) signings from the 2023 class. 

What preseason odds of previous NBA champions tells us about this year's contenders

As the NBA kicks off Tuesday evening, 30 teams have renewed hope for the 2023-24 campaign. However, data shows that based on the preseason odds of former NBA champions, only a select few have a shot at winning the NBA title in June.

Rangers blast Astros to clinch first World Series berth since 2011

The Rangers are back in the Fall Classic. Texas turned its Game 7 in Houston into an extended victory lap after it jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and kept the runs coming, eventually winning 11-4.

Watch: 49ers linebacker flies over Vikings offensive line to stop 'tush push'

It's a bird... It's a plane... It's Fred Warner. The 49ers linebacker made an unreal defensive play on Monday night when he expertly timed the snap on the Vikings' attempt at the "tush push" on first-and-goal from the 1-yard line, flying over Minnesota's offensive line and tackling quarterback Kirk Cousins before he could reach the end zone.

Watch: Christian McCaffrey sets NFL record for consecutive games with a touchdown

All Christian McCaffrey does is score touchdowns. The All-Pro running back set an NFL record for consecutive games with a touchdown during the Super Bowl era (16) on a three-yard run against the Vikings on "Monday Night Football." 

Watch: 49ers rookie kicker misses another field goal

For as good as the San Francisco 49ers are, imagine how good they'd be if they didn't waste draft picks. Rookie kicker Jake Moody missed his third field goal in his last four tries on a 40-yard attempt in the first quarter of San Francisco's game at Minnesota.

D-backs force first Game 7 in Phillies franchise history with Game 6 win

The Phillies will play the first Game 7 in the franchise's 141-season history on Tuesday after the Diamondbacks won Game 6 of the NLCS, 5-1. 

Going Byard: Eagles hit it out of the park with addition of two-time All-Pro safety

Stop us if you've heard this one before: the Eagles won a trade.

NFL makes the right call with Kareem Jackson's four-game suspension

The NFL got something right. Broncos safety Kareem Jackson was suspended on Monday for four games after he was ejected in Week 7 following a brutal hit on Packers tight end Luke Musgrave.

Arthur Smith explains lack of touches for Bijan Robinson in Week 7

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was missing in action during the first half of Atlanta's pivotal game against Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South, leading to multiple questions about what was going on with the No.

Active Deshaun Watson has most to prove in Week 7

Deshaun Watson (right shoulder), is active for the Browns, making him the player with the most to prove in Week 7.