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

Twitter/X: @ericsmithling

Muck Rack: eric-smithling

July 29, 2023 | NFL

WR Tyreek Hill reacts to Dolphins signing longtime rival CB

Tyreek Hill is excited for a big day at practice on Monday after the Dolphins signed cornerback Eli Apple.

July 29, 2023 | NFL

Frank Clark gives brutally honest assessment of Broncos-Chiefs match-up

Former Kansas City Chiefs and current Denver Broncos player Frank Clark had a harsh-but-real assessment of the two teams.

July 29, 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs

Watch: Travis Kelce punches teammate at practice

Travis Kelce channeled his inner Draymond Green on Saturday. After catching a touchdown from Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs linebacker Jack Cochrane (No. 43) tried to stip the ball away from Kelce's grasp, which the All-Pro tight end didn't appreciate.

July 29, 2023 | USC Trojans

Watch: Bronny James is back home after suffering cardiac arrest

LeBron James recently posted a video of his son back at home playing the piano.

July 29, 2023 | NFL

Three-time Pro Bowl RB meeting with Patriots

He might not find a better place to extend his career than with the Patriots.

July 28, 2023 | NFL

Sizzling NFC South training-camp position battles

With training camps underway, here's a look at the top position battles to watch for each team in the NFC South.

July 27, 2023 | Miami Dolphins

Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey carted off field during practice

Star cornerback Jalen Ramsey suffered a potentially significant injury on Thursday.

July 27, 2023 | Washington Commanders

Washington training-camp attendance balloons after team's sale

It's fair to say Washington football fans are loving life since Daniel Snyder's been gone.

July 27, 2023 | NFL

Sean Payton declares the Jets this year's Denver Broncos

Sean Payton launched a grenade at the New York Jets on Thursday.

July 27, 2023 | Los Angeles Angels

Angels make grave miscalculation by keeping Shohei Ohtani

The Angels have wasted the first five-and-a-half years of generational talent Shohei Ohtani's career. Instead of accepting their losses,the decision to double down and keep Ohtani through the trade deadline is as misguided as it is fitting.

July 27, 2023 | Colorado Buffaloes

Adding Colorado doesn't fix the Big 12's problem

The Big 12 keeps getting bigger but not necessarily better. Colorado will join the conference in 2024, following the leaps made by BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF this offseason. Those gains hardly make up for the major losses of Oklahoma and Texas in 2024, creating a major problem for the conference.

July 26, 2023 | NFL

Aaron Rodgers pay cut might have Packers wondering 'What if?'

Green Bay Packer fans might be asking themselves about a sliding-doors moment after Aaron Rodgers agreed to take a pay cut with the New York Jets.

July 26, 2023 | Colorado Buffaloes

Colorado news shows how Pac-12's drawn-out media rights deal is backfiring

Colorado's expected exit could be the block that causes the rest of the conference to tumble.

July 26, 2023 | NFL

Jordan Love, Aaron Rodgers chat before Packers open training camp

Aaron Rodgers might have left Green Bay but he isn't burning bridges to his longtime NFL home.

July 26, 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs

2023 QB signings put pressure on Chiefs to restructure Patrick Mahomes deal

Patrick Mahomes is the undisputed best quarterback in football but you couldn't tell that from glancing at the list of the highest-paid QBs in the NFL.

July 25, 2023 | College Football

Big Ten schools draw attention for all the wrong reasons this offseason

With the 2023 season right around the corner, the biggest headlines in the conference are for controversies surrounding a pair of conference head coaches, not the outlook on the field for the conferences memebers.

July 25, 2023 | Boston Celtics

For better or worse, the Celtics and Jaylen Brown are joined at the hip

Brown landed a five-year, fully guaranteed $304 million contract extension, $28 million more than Nikola Jokic earned last season when his $276 million contract made him the league's highest earner at the time.

July 25, 2023 | New Orleans Saints

Saints sign former fan favorite to one-year deal

Jimmy Graham is headed back to where it all began. After a year off, the tight end is giving it another go in the Big Easy.

July 25, 2023 | Detroit Lions

Lions avoid catastrophe with C.J. Gardner-Johnson injury

C.J. Gardner-Johnson was carted off the practice field after suffering a non-contact knee injury. That's usually a sign of a serious, potentially season-ending injury. Fortunately, head coach Dan Campbell said imaging showed no major structural damage.