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

Horrible roughing-the-passer call mars ending of Bucs-Falcons

A huge call late in Sunday's game between the Bucs and Falcons saw one referee go beyond protecting the leagues' players, doing more to hurt the league's image than anything else.

Marcedes Lewis makes history with touchdown catch for Packers

Aaron Rodgers has thrown a lot of touchdowns in his NFL career. One he threw on Sunday produced an incredible bit of trivia.

Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher roasted for final play in loss to Alabama

Nick Saban shut the book on the so-called rivalry as Fisher's offense flamed out thanks to a dubious play-call in the final seconds.

Despite Mel Tucker's struggles at Michigan State, he isn't going anywhere

Despite the struggles, Mel Tucker's 10-year, $95M fully-guaranteed contract all but guarantees he'll remain in charge for the foreseeable future.

Watch: North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with 'Mahomes-esque' touchdown throw

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye is already a star to fans of the Tar Heels, but if he continues making plays such as the one he made against Miami (FL), he'll soon be a name all college football fans know.

Brian Robinson set to make NFL debut 42 days after being shot

 After returning to practice this week, Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. is set to make his NFL debut, per a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Nebraska snaps 10-game losing streak in one-possession games with win Friday night

It's been a long time coming for Nebraska, but they finally found themselves on the right side of a one-possession game as they won Friday night on the road against Rutgers.

Tennessee travels to Baton Rouge for first time since crushing 2010 defeat

No. 8 Tennessee travels to Death Valley in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to face No. 25 LSU Saturday, and it will mark the Volunteers' first trip to Baton Rouge since a wild ending in 2010 that saw LSU by scoring a touchdown on an untimed down.

HC Brian Kelly makes $1 million commitment to LSU athletic fund

LSU football coach Brian Kelly is finding his footing on the field with the Tigers, who have won four in a row. The program's announcement Friday that

Richard Sherman calls out Russell Wilson's performance

Former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman, providing postgame analysis for Prime Video, laid into Broncos quarterback and former teammate Russell Wilson following another poor performance in the team's 12-9 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Former All-Pro WR Michael Thomas is at a crossroads with Saints

What happens during the next couple of months could determine whether Thomas is a Saint for the years to come.

Dennis Allen on Jameis Winston: 'We're just trying to get him healthy'

According to Wednesday's injury report, Winston was not a participant during practice as he continues to recover from ankle and back injuries.

Can Teddy Bridgewater keep Dolphins in contention?

Teddy Bridgewater will start his first game for the Miami Dolphins this Sunday. Can he keep the team in a competitive position?

Derek Carr, Davante Adams reviving their Fresno State magic key to turning around Raiders season

The Raiders will need more consistency from the duo — and some of that spark from those Fresno State Bulldogs days — going forward if they want to dig themselves out of this 1-3 hole.

Clock ticking for Commanders QB Carson Wentz amid alarming play

Commanders QB Carson Wentz's play has declined steadily since a Week 1 win over Jacksonville, with his passer rating falling from 101 to 99.7, 71 and 56.7.

Questionable officiating continues to haunt Saints vs. Vikings

 Death, taxes, and NFL referees terrorizing the New Orleans Saints and their fans. At this point, those seem to be the only constants in life, especially following one particular sequence in the fourth quarter of the Saints game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Saints fall to Vikings after double-doink on 60-yard FG attempt

The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings played Sunday morning in the U.K., and while the game took a while to get going, fans overseas were treated to one heck of an ending.

Saints QB Jameis Winston ruled out vs. Vikings; Andy Dalton to start

Winston will sit out the Saints' game against the Vikings. Instead, Dalton will get the start.

NFLPA fires neurotrauma consultant involved in Tua Tagovailoa situation for making 'several mistakes'

The decision to terminate the contract of the UNC signals the first repercussion of the fallout from Tagovailoa's two head injuries in five days.

John Harbaugh on Tagovailoa hit: 'I couldn't believe what I was seeing'

Reactions continue to come in from around the NFL regarding Miami Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's injury against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night, including a strong one from Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

Saints QB Jameis Winston yet to practice this week ahead of game vs. Vikings

His status as the Saints starting QB has been in jeopardy since before Week 2, when word leaked that Winston is dealing with fractures in his lower back.

Mike McDaniel remains adamant that Tagovailoa did not suffer concussion during Sunday's contest versus Bills

McDaniel and the rest of the Dolphins front office will face scrutiny for how they handled the quarterback situation this week, especially considering Tagovailoa's incident last week.

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa stretchered off field, taken to hospital with 'head and neck injuries'

Tagovailoa was taken to a local hospital with what the Dolphins called "head and neck injuries."

Ron Rivera: Carson Wentz will 'bounce back'

The Washington coach expressed confidence in his quarterback despite a poor showing in Week 3.

Saints look to band together in London for Week 4

 The New Orleans Saints (1-2) head on the road to host a home game in London. The team's offense fails to get going until the second half, but the defense