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

Colorado HC Deion Sanders says he slept in office night before home opener

 Deion Sanders beat the traffic to Folsom Field ahead of Colorado's home opener against rival Nebraska. Appearing on Fox's "Big Noon Saturday," Sanders revealed he slept in his office the night before. 

Dana White shuts down rumors of potential Musk, Zuckerberg fight

May this (hopefully) be the death knell in the Elon Musk-Mark Zuckerberg cage match saga. 

Reebok bets big on Bears QB Justin Fields

Big things are expected from Bears quarterback Justin Fields as he enters his third NFL season, perhaps nowhere as much as at Reebok headquarters.

What rookie QBs have in common with Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence

Bryce Young joined his 2023 NFL Draft peers C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson on Wednesday by being named team captain ahead of the start of the regular season.

Caleb Williams' GQ profile should raise alarm for Cardinals as they tank in 2023

It would be a major black eye for the Cardinals if they land the first pick and Williams returns to USC, but it's certainly possible.

'TNF' preview: Chiefs MIA All-Pros, Lions rookie RB and more to watch

The 2023 opener offers plenty of fascinating storylines. Here are the biggest ones to watch for the Detroit Lions-Kansas City Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night. 

NFC South stock up, down: Saints RB could be in line for huge workload in Week 1

We're only days away from the start of the 2023 NFL regular season. Before things kick off, here's a look at whose stock is up and whose is down in the NFC South.

NFC South coaching tiers: Frank Reich leads an unexceptional bunch

While much of the country spent the summer debating whether "Oppenheimer" or "Barbie" was the blockbuster of the year, Yardbarker NFL writers reviewed the work of the league's 32 head coaches and assigned each of these leading men to a tier. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers ceiling and floor for 2023

With the regular season kicking off Thursday, we're dusting off our earlier guides on the ceilings and floors of each team in the NFL.

New Orleans Saints ceiling and floor for 2023

All indications point to quarterback Derek Carr acclimating well to his second NFL home in New Orleans, making it difficult to see how this year's team is any worse than last year.

Carolina Panthers ceiling and floor for 2023

With the regular season kicking off Thursday, we're dusting off our earlier guides on the ceilings and floors of each team in the NFL.

Atlanta Falcons ceiling and floor for 2023

With the regular season kicking off Thursday, we're dusting off our earlier guides on the ceilings and floors of each team in the NFL. Here's how our assessment of the Falcons has changed.

Sean Payton calls out commissioner Roger Goodell over unbelievable Saints statistic

It's no mystery that Broncos head coach Sean Payton and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell aren't the best of friends.

Clemson trolled for epic red zone failures against Duke

The red zone was a dead zone for Clemson in its stunning 28-7 loss versus Duke.

How the Panthers contributed to Brian Burns's contract dispute

Carolina defensive end Brian Burns's contract dispute is a problem the Panthers created.

Brian Kelly's biggest mistake against Florida State had nothing to do with his fourth-down calls

Brian Kelly was right to go for it. Let's get that out of the way. Yet he was far from blameless in the embarrassing loss to FSU.

Pac-12 picked a bad time to be at its best

Is it too late for the Pac-12 to stick together?

Why Florida State-LSU is a must-win for the Tigers

It might seem like Week 1 is too early to declare a game must-win, but that's exactly what Sunday's season opener is for LSU when it squares off against Florida State.

Winners and losers for Week 1 of the college football season

Quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Drew Allar made the most out of their spotlight while TCU, Baylor and Boston College are still trying to find the light switch. Here are the winners and losers of Saturday's college football action.  

South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler might be the biggest wild card in college football

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye is the headliner in the Tar Heels' season-opener against South Carolina, but Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler could end up as the bigger story.

Watch: Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter makes unreal interception to save touchdown against TCU

Hunter, the No. 1 overall prospect of the 2022 recruiting class, quickly showed why he was such a highly touted player out of high school with his incredible interception in the red zone to stop a TCU scoring threat.

Watch: First drive of Deion Sanders era at Colorado shows just how improved team is

All eyes in the college football world are on Deion Sanders after he took over at Colorado, and based on the Buffaloes' first offensive series, the transition is going well in Boulder.

Florida State should be happy where it's at

College football's realignment wheels aren't done spinning but maybe they should be. 

NCAA continues to botch UNC WR Devontez Walker's eligibility

North Carolina wide receiver Devontez Walker won't play in the Tar Heels' prime-time season opener against South Carolina because he's waiting on a decision from an appeals committee regarding his eligibility.